Sooners Defensive Standouts Compliment New Defensive Coordinator Zac Alley

A new era is here for Oklahoma football. The Sooners are set to enter the SEC next season, and they’re doing so under new leadership. Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables brought in a new offensive and defense coordinator, making changes on both sides of the football.

Co-defensive coordinator Zac Alley is fresh off his first spring football season in his role in Norman, which has left a lasting impression on players and Venables himself. Alley had his first opportunity to win over Sooners fans on Saturday during this spring game, which saw plenty of standouts and potential.

Ethan Downs and Danny Stutsman offer compliments to Alley

Watching the production of the defense is going to be unique as the program transitions into the SEC. It was the biggest hole during Lincoln Riley’s tenure as Oklahoma’s head coach, and the tide is seemingly turning as Venables runs the program. Alley is going to be able to play a part in making a smooth transition.

“We’re miles ahead of where we were [last spring],” Sooners linebacker Danny Stutsman said after the game. “Obviously, Coach Alley’s done a phenomenal job.”

Getting an endorsement from Stutsman — the most talented defender on Oklahoma’s roster —  means plenty. He opted to return to the program rather than going pro as the Sooners look to determine their ceiling for the 2024 college football season. Stutsman was a breakout player a season ago and will play an integral role in the Sooners’ new-look defense this fall.

Stutsman wasn’t the only defender to offer kind words towards Alley, as defensive lineman Ethan Downs joined in doing so.

“[Alley] is a great man,” Downs said. “We really trust him as a defense. Even the whole team can look to him and say ‘That dude’s about his business.’ He has built great relationships with the players already. He’s very focused on being in our lives. … They go hand-in-hand, your performance on the field and your lifestyle off the field, and they’re very invested in both.”

Two of the best Big 12 defenders a season ago believe in Alley, and they’ve seen more than just the spring game. They’ve taken part in his workouts all spring as Alley was hired mid-January.

Brent Venables says Alley has “adjusted quickly”

Having a defensive-minded head coach like Venables, he understands what he wants in a defensive coordinator. Alley is very similar to Venables, making the pairing incredibly seamless. The two are going to be able to hoist an incredible defense when considering the amount of talent the team has on that side of the football.

“Everything’s been good all spring. He’s adjusted quickly, like anticipated,” Venables said of Alley. “He’s done a variety of things that have helped us continue to move forward and progress and get better. A lot of it language-wise, trying to simplify some things from a language standpoint. Sometimes when you get outside of a system, you’ve got to go to several places and start completely over and everybody’s new. You figure out how to be even more efficient.”