Following ESPN reports indicating that now-former Oklahoma defensive coordinator Zac Alley would be headed to West Virginia to join Rich Rodriguez's staff, it was officially announced on Sunday evening by WVU that Alley will serve as the program's new Assistant Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator, and Linebackers Coach in what is a major steal for Rodriguez's staff. Rodriguez and Alley have previously coached together at Louisiana-Monroe and Jacksonville State, with Alley serving as the DC on a Rodriguez-led staff at the latter stop.
"Zac is one of the top young defensive coordinators in the country and has proven his ability to lead and be an innovator at different stops during his career," Rodriguez said. "I have worked with him several seasons, and he constantly impresses me with his ability to blend schemes with his personnel and develop winning results. I look forward to him joining our staff and making an immediate impact for us."
The Sooners' defense were 19th in total yards allowed per game this season, giving up 318.2 yards per game, and 31st overall in total points allowed per game with 21.5 -- this contrasts sharply with the 415.3 yards per game and 31.9 points per game allowed by WVU this past season. During his stint under Rodriguez at Jacksonville State, his defense in 2023 ranked 33rd in scoring defense (21.2 points per game) and 43rd in total defense (352.8 yards per game) in the program's first season at the FBS level.
"I am excited to join coach Rodriguez and the West Virginia University football program," Alley said. "I have tremendous respect for Coach Rod, as I've seen how he develops players and builds a program. I look forward to working with the players and doing my part to help WVU be one of the top teams in the Big 12 Conference and the nation."
Alley first coached collegiately under current Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables as a student assistant and grad assistant at Clemson, retiring after his high school career to begin gaining coaching experience immediately.
Alley worked under Venables to help coach two national championship winning defenses for the Tigers before earning the defensive coordinator at Louisiana-Monroe under Terry Bowden while Rodriguez helmed the offense. He would then follow Rodriguez to take the same position at Jacksonville State for two season before heading to Norman to spend a season with Venables.