Zac Alley Leaves OU for WVU, Who's Next for OU DC? + College Football Playoff Quarterfinals Preview

[@ronalddriskill7442]

MID-60'S and Sooner for life. Couple of thoughts: 1. Mr. Lehman expresses the truth of an individual that is not dependent on a corporate salary. Good job, young man. 2. Mr. Ikard is spot on. Young men and women care about their mentors and connections, and sometimes you move on when you are very young. Doesn't mean you don't care about whom it is that you leave, but you have to make your best decisions for you and your family. In my opinion, we have all done it, or, eventually will. 3. I save your podcasts for my 50 mile, 2 hr. commute home from work here in Boston. Ya keep me connected to home and pass the time effectively. Two hours from Ft. Worth to Denton is a gravy run! Keep up your great work.

[@PineMountain981]

Well said. Ikard & Lehman, Sooner Scoop, and OU Insider are three excellent podcasts that I listen to all season.

[@OkieTradez]

2 hour commute... hellz na!

[@thesybe]

This pod and the last one have been 2 of my favorites of all time. Not saying that you guys aren't always honest with us but these last 2 I have felt like you guys are talking like you are the only ones that are ever going to hear your conversation and it's pretty amazing! You do a great job.

[@ThisIsLeeBird]

My feelings weren’t really hurt about this news. I don’t think it’s as big of a deal as others are making it out to be. I’m more worried about getting a TE coach or a WR coach that can coach these kids how to actually run a route and catch a ball.

[@cryhwks]

Some people simply do not understand. If you believe that the frustration over Alley's departure is solely to concerns about the Defense's performance, you are mistaken. It is about the deeper implications of this situation. The OU program currently is a giant festering wound, deteriorating from top to bottom. And it starts with Joe C and his gang. They were "blindsided", how many times can they be blindsided, how many times can they be ill-prepared, how many times do they need to be reactive instead of proactive. NIL has brought to light how inept Joe C is. He might have been great once, I would argue he's been hindrance more than helpful for the football program, but that's a topic for another day. But it's apparently clear he is not the right guy for this day and age. Until that front office situation is figured out it will not matter who the coaches are

[@OUrNit03]

It's a big deal when u have 20 other holes in a sinking ship that need to be filled. One issue after another with this program. Eventually it all becomes catastrophic when u continue to take Ls left and right.

[@smokey689]

EJ is the worst freaking WR coach he absolutely sucks ass

[@pwho405]

Relax

[@dewittmathews2508]

Why is it so hard for some of you guys to use sound reasoning about this? Him leaving will mean nothing much at all.

[@steventucker267]

My issue with alley isn’t just that he left or told people he was staying, it’s that he talked about BV being a father figure to him and now he’s leaving him at a very pivotal point in BVs career. Coaches are gonna leave and thats fine but BV deserved better IMO.

[@mattpope770]

Well at least we know Zack Alley won't be the next head coach at LSU

[@TUHurricanefan1]

He will be the next Head Coach at West Virginia when Rich Rod retires in 5 years! That and money is why Zac Alley took the job at WVU!! #sooners #oklahoma #oklahomasooners #oklahomafootball #brentvenables #OUDNA #champU #soonernation

[@dewittmathews2508]

What difference would it make if he was at LSU? That went over my head....

[@cgtrains]

@@dewittmathews2508 Lincoln Riley told Carey Murdock that he wasn’t going to be the LSU coach the night before he took the USC job.

[@steven13cody]

LOL

[@josephpero5880]

Score points,makes the defense much better.

[@Blaqk_8298]

The funny thing is NOBODY knew who ZAC ALLEY was a year ago until the interest from OKLAHOMA.

[@shirlguidry5518]

Go for linebacker coach Teddy, you would make a good one!

[@caveloc]

I was thinking the same.

[@Talkinsports91]

So the fanbase could turn on him and bash him if it didn't work out ? Nah

[@mitchconner2021]

Why would he want to?

[@DavidWayne-l3s]

Your my favorite Teddy, you tell it like it is!!! Boooooomer!!! We will be just fine. I believe in Brent!!

[@johnturner1476]

Yep Teddy for DC!

[@BBShaw-cd9wz]

I think Teddy would be a great coach at Oklahoma because HE CARES!!

[@Blaqk_8298]

WE DONT WANNA HATE TEDDY NEXT IF IT DOESNT WORK OUT .... HEY TEDDY STAY WHERE YOU ARE.

[@soonerdave01]

Yeah, takes a little more than just caring to coach. Also, we don't need any more former players on the staff. Murray, JJF & Littrell haven't shown anything other than ineptitude.

[@JSuave99]

always bringing solid content

[@tylerlogan833]

I agree, Brandon Hall makes the most sense.

[@rundmc8628]

The next 340-350 days of OU's football program is going to be a complete waste of everybody's time. There is no chance Venables is turning this thing around. He hasn't given any indication that he can make a team better after 3 years on the job.

[@Agelessgames]

The one year he had a fully healthy roster and a good QB we went 10-3 so I still have faith.

[@rundmc8628]

@Agelessgames and all 3 losses were against programs with inferior teams. They actually found ways to lose all 3 games rather than the other teams just playing better. It's a pattern. He's gone after next season and then the program can finally attempt to rebuild. Until then it's just a waiting game.

[@christophermorales1509]

Hoping it will only be 300 days, but expecting it will be about 660 days. The program is always bargain shopping and that will play out in how long they avoid the buyout.

[@rundmc8628]

@@christophermorales1509 it will cost them more in the long run but I'm sure they struggle to see it that way.

[@kimoandrews5802]

He needs to bring back the gol durn wishbone! Do the Selmon boys have any more eligibility left?

[@laddlll]

love your show

[@moderndaycaveman2519]

He just wants his own individuality- regardless of if the defense is good or bad, it'll always be spoke of as BV's defense.

[@Gr8H8ful8]

A step down? - More money - Assistant HC title - Full control of the defense - Better job security - Similar, if not easier, path to the playoff - The WVU brand is hot right now

[@bradleycass11]

This has been in the works for weeks. The defense looked confused and somewhat ill prepared vs Navy. We had players looking at the sidelines when they were snapping the ball.

[@Postman700]

That happened all year

[@cgtrains]

⁠@@Postman700yep! The defense was good, but far from championship caliber. I wonder if the people saying “it’s BV’s defense” can connect the dots and see where the issue lies.

[@ethanmaddy8992]

Part of that was due to stutsman not playing. He made sure everyone was lined up. It’ll take time for someone else to become that vocal leader.

[@MrTmtaylor64]

Great take.

[@bodydroppedime]

Been waiting for you guys. I cant help but think are sliding down a hill and no matter what happens we cant find our footing

[@efb3603]

I would have let my second dad make the money right 😊

[@efb3603]

You know these coaches work for money 😅 right 😊

[@geromeriley3410]

Zack made a family business decision for job security!!!

[@Menu2Sports]

If that is true it’s because he doesn’t see it lasting much longer. If he truly believed like you have to in order to win, he would not be leaving. Period.

[@dewittmathews2508]

Are you aware that being a coach at West Virginia has very little job security?

[@charlesworkman2868]

I’m getting tired of the “what’s best for my family” excuse to allow you to lie and hurt others. It’s the ultimate trump card. It’s okay to be honest to your fellow coaches and players.

[@joshuamccall8043]

@@dewittmathews2508a couple years longer than brent

[@johnturner1476]

Good show men..

[@DanW99]

The fact that he took such a significant step down should tell you all you need to know... Dumpster fire alert!

[@GerryBrown-fg6ej]

Good coach he's not the only defensive coordinator in the world

[@johnpetrig6949]

Venables left OU when he was in a Co DC role with Mike Stoops and it worked out pretty well for him at Clemson, so its tough to be harsh here.

[@bubblesthemonkey6615]

Just feels like one more kick in the nuts. Mateer is coming though, hopefully he can be a be a bright spot for us. It’s just tough rn.

[@clw22580]

Who’s going to drop I mean catch Mateer passes? Also the same record setting of giving up sacks oline is blocking for him 4-8 and the NUKE is coming

[@bubblesthemonkey6615]

@@clw22580The o line will be better, a lot of the freshmen that had to play this year will develop. Not saying they’ll be great or anything, but they won’t be as horrible as they were this year.

[@OspreyFlyer]

​@@clw22580😂

[@birdman9043]

honesty is from a bygone era, plain and simple

[@Valanahara]

Gabe, a lot of times I feel like you guys have to walk on eggshells with what you say because of how close you are to the program and coaches. That’s why I appreciate the honesty regarding the situation.

[@disyaboij123]

Just here for the comments

[@cgtrains]

The comments so far are full on cope. A guy who called Brent his “second father” and is essentially his biggest protege leaving for the same position at a mid-tier big 12 school is a terrible look for the program no matter how you try to spin it and shows that things are probably going to end up getting worse before this staff is canned in a year’s time.

[@JoshRay-q2n]

​@cgtrains i dunno about cope, if you look at it objectively, OU could have paid him what WVU did technically but i dont think they were going to and i can understand why....its a move that makes sense for Alley

[@cgtrains]

@@JoshRay-q2n yeah if I were in his shoes I probably would have done the same thing.

[@robmoses785]

Look how msny coordinators Saban went through at Alabama

[@johnjohnson1997]

You mean all the ones that either got fired or took promotions ? Different deal here.

[@Timbo1969]

I think the move at DC is to promote B.Hall and elevate James Skalski to LB coach.

[@toddneva]

This season broke my adrenaline, I’m just tired of it. Whatever happens happens!

[@whiteknucklestormchasing]

Will be a step back in recruiting. We better not promote within.

[@Modorange322]

He needed to leave. Not sure if it’s foreshadowing anything about Venables’ moving himself, but seems like being a protégé of Brent Venables meant that Zac Alley needed to move to establish himself on his own. I don’t think there’s going to be very much negative impact on ou’s defense either way.

[@24collin24Collin]

Maybe lying to players helped kept kids from leaving

[@bigcpatterson]

Hiring in house went so well last time with littrell

[@TandemTuba]

It's such an odd move to me because, even if we spent the next few years in the basement, the odds of us still becoming an elite program again before WVU is WAY higher.

[@christophermorales1509]

But odds of either are still low. Won’t happen here or at WVU before he moves to the next job.

[@JoshRay-q2n]

I dont really care about any coach leaving, its a business but dude didnt have to BS right to the players faces, theres plenty other ways to navigate that

[@dillonflanagan7237]

I’m all for B Hall becoming DC. I think it would be a great move

[@8brice]

How many sec defenses ran 335?

[@DuragAllDay]

7:13. It seems like his focus in defense has been to the detriment of fielding a complete team.

[@blaynebittencourt5076]

Every head coach has a focus. It's just about getting the right coaches to have on the other side of the ball.

[@alec_f1]

It is his biggest failure.

[@PineMountain981]

The only reason this "DC leaving" thing matters is: If BV gets the hire wrong, some defensive players will enter the portal in the Spring. Regarding Lewis Carter, I think he will get better NIL offers than WVU.

[@raysmith2477]

Apparently, BV is hard to work with (remember people leave managers not jobs).

[@StrawHatTeen-k6i]

He's super OCD and super intense. People like that are never fun to work with.

[@Crankinstien]

Chicken Sh!t the way he left

[@Kevinkaos9]

Just bought the hoodie Lehman is wearing

[@chrisstapleton1673]

Where did you find it?

[@Kevinkaos9]

@ at their website

[@JBWV]

Watching OU fans now try to be like Alley wasn't the reason the defense was better this year is hilarious

[@Spartan-301st]

It was a professional decision, simple as. Wanted to be his own man, wanted to run a defense with a HC he’s already familiar with. And, honestly, maybe he just preferred the security of a fresh contract vs. waiting to see if BV has a good enough year in 2025 to stick around.

[@gigi4OU1975]

Just like Gabe said, even if 2025 doesn’t go as planned and the staff changes, Zac Alley would’ve been unemployed for 7 seconds. Don’t think he was concerned about security because he knows he is good enough to land another job immediately. He’s an up and comer.

[@Spartan-301st]

@ except it looks a heck of a lot better to not be a fired coordinator with a few seasons of average win totals. See also: the Eric Bienemy problem. No franchises were giving him the top job because they knew Andy Reid had final say in offense. I mean, it didn’t end up working out for him but he had to leave KC to finally get those chances.

[@pcolice]

Concern about Zac Alley is concern about a symptom. The real concern is about Brent Venables.

[@johnhalpin3596]

I would really like to know what the feelings are within the football team about where OU is in regards to the changes & the losing season.

[@price1008]

Am I the only one that misses fiery BV on the sidelines. I want just a little of that back. Kinda like GA Tech’s HC.

[@CamPerry]

I think he is coaching like the writing is on the wall just a matter of time unfortunately

[@price1008]

@ he hasn’t been like that since the first season though

[@jeremyleforce7926]

They created "stability" on offense last year and looked how that turned out. 🤷‍♂️

[@MilesAnderson-t3k]

Maybe the next DC wont allow a 95 yard QB run for a TD. Just sayin

[@BobcatWabbit]

Or 37 points to LSU

[@steveb2424]

Wouldn't that be the players fault they missed the tackles and lined up.wrong

[@BobcatWabbit]

@steveb2424 that's what Alex Grinch said. about they weren't lined up right 😂

[@sallyfrogge3969]

The DC didn't allow that the players allowed it

[@MichaelJohnson-nn2kc]

I vote teddy for the next linebackers coach!!

[@ttown918]

I think it's part Alley wants total control, but it's also that he can get a 3 year deal at WV and at OU they may all be out of a job come Dec 2025. Sure, Alley could get another job then, but I bet he wants to head that off now and just get settled somewhere for good pay and stability. I don't blame him at all. OU could very likely plunge to a new depth next season.

[@male918]

Our society has found it acceptable to defend lack of character. If you are staying, then you stay. Changes don't matter to your word and character. Our society has degraded because of this and the defense of it.

[@OspreyFlyer]

🎯

[@TheMasterBlaster03]

As a Combat Veteran, I tend to seek the highest common denominator in failure…for OU it was Turnovers and Sacks!! IF….. they would have won the Overall Turnover numbers and been on the lower end of SEC sack numbers, instead of Leading the way, this is at least 8 wins and we’d be looking forward to this season. Not to mention….we beat Navy without the TURNOVER!!

[@Will-h9b]

Teddy, have you gotten better from your Friday's case of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Driving) from Dallas yet?

[@jodywight629]

bob stoops as defensive coordinator, bob would recruit very well.

[@CamPerry]

In the NIL era not sure that is true.

[@pwho405]

Its over Bob's not coming back let it go...

[@MOJOERASER]

Lewis Carter to me looks like a nfl lb is suppose to look like and he makes plays no one else on this team can…. I don’t know what’s he’s doing wrong to not be starting but he would be starting on my team this is a big blow now Kanak is a full time backup .

[@misterb1080]

It’s hard to push integrity and teamwork from a coaching staff when the staff does this. This is the injury to the program. Alley was looked up to as part of the team. Then he bailed. No. It’s not ok. Does it happen? Yes. Is it reality? Yes. But he has to sleep at night not me. He knows what he said and did.

[@TravisWatson-d7p]

Can we all agree that this season took a turn when Gabe stopped doing the 'RIVER - WIND - CASINO!' in his intro? Who else pumped their arm everything he rolled through that?

[@dougseals7739]

The issue is not about BV being heavily involved with the defense. It's about BV being the HC (CEO),which seems to be the issue.

[@TheSfenn]

Go Teddy! Please be the Linebacker coach in 2025!!! I love it!

[@martybousum1010]

Elephant in the room. How many will follow Alley thru the portal. Will NIL $ be offered to lure them to follow.

[@jontnoneya3404]

OK so Teddy's the next linebacker coach huh? Should be fun!

[@BobcatWabbit]

Alley Cat didn't recruit anyone out of HS or the Portal SMH. He gave up 37 pts to LSU, 30 Mizzou, Cows 34, SC 35, Old Miss 26, Tenn 25 Rode Venables coat tails😂

[@winnemucca-sk5392]

zone pass defense still had issues under him. Would have been nice to see him land a stud while he was recruiting linebackers here.

[@StrawHatTeen-k6i]

I could see where working for BV is very stressful. The guy is super OCD and super intense. I think like Gabe said, he wanted more control of the defense and I also think he just liked working for Rich Rod better. The job was probably less stressful when he was Rich Rod's DC.

[@ordinaryaverageguy909]

Gonna be tough to hire someone currently outside of the program on a 50/50 chance of being without a job this time next year. Inside hire imo.

[@mikehappy2620]

I have other questions. Alley did not recruit one player this year. Why was that? Another thought. There is a lot, a whole lot of chatter that Wes Goodwin is leaving Clemson, and according to the university's paper "Clemson Insider" he may very well be headed to OU. When BV left Clemson, out of respect for Dabo and the team he recruited there. He said he would not infringe on Clemson's program for 3 years. It's been 3 years. There are 199 reasons this went down. I'm still not giving up on Coach Venables, Also He is facing a situation in his personal life I can not overlook. His wife, Julie my be dying of cancer. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers. BOOMER.

[@StrawHatTeen-k6i]

I hope Julie is doing ok. I do know she is battling breast cancer. This has to be a big distraction to BV no doubt. If his wife is really dying of cancer then he should resign asap so he can be with her. Putting in 16 hour + days for your job isn't the answer. Your family should be more important than a job. He's already got plenty of $$$ to take care of his family.

[@jasoncrawford-lg1xs]

I seen the new where Carter said to have entered to portal, but the list for the 29th does not have him on it and anytime someone gets on it their 247 profile always changes to portal and his still says ou at 8:46 pm weird

[@SuperK1320]

I’ve never been less optimistic about an upcoming football season for the Sooners in all of my life and I’m almost 40. If this program hasn’t hit rock bottom yet, it’s certainly heading that way.

[@dewittmathews2508]

I've been watching the Sooner for over 50 years. All this team needs is an offensive coordinator to create an offensive that can score 28-30 points a game, and everything will be back to normal.

[@TheSfenn]

@@dewittmathews2508, I am with you. We had 11-12 guys out with injuries. We have a new QB and new OC and I think we are going to be fine.

[@ericporterfield8492]

I’m trying to understand what’s going on and believe in Venables but dang !! Sooners for life 🏈👍

[@ronniesmith1788]

What about the guy from Clemson

[@dalpoas83]

I’m fine with hiring from within also and I’m with Gabe as much as I’d like to have Ted on staff we need him for the pod 😂

[@DerekHunter-q6d]

Hate to see him go to WVU and lose the "hot" status he had at OU.....could have landed a big-time head coaching job with a couple more solid years in Norman. Now.....who knows?

[@Reddickaaron]

When you go 6 and 7 I’m not sad about anybody leaving

[@northface484]

LOL...

[@elijahsowards263]

Because they did that with Litrrel

[@Ryan-gx3hs]

It's still BV's defense, so I think we'll be fine. It certainly is great for optics, though

[@zabadue44]

In a years time who did he recruit? To have a good defense you have to be a good recruiter and he's going to find out. We will be okay.

[@bobjones6230]

Love Brent want so much for him to succeed at OU. Glad Brent controls the Defense.Need for OC Arbuckel to succeed at offense like TBOW if that happens all will be well and good.

[@dadestarmysteries255]

My concern is if Alley left because Venables is hard to work for/deal with. I mean, he already knew the situation going in, that he wasn't going to be fully running the defense. Maybe this was an unexpected opportunity to coach under Rodriguez and be more in the spotlight. Just because OU is better than West Virginia doesn't mean it's a better job. It depends on other factors. You might even want more of a challenge. West Virginia is a cool place too.

[@alanhoweth9859]

IMO Alley knew well that if the offense doesn’t do a turn around next season BV is gone. Apparently he didn’t think the offense was going to improve!

[@robertbutler9960]

Pressure will be a lot less in West Virginia

[@soonerthrawn1362]

Gunner Stockton next uga local legend

[@SheldonMLee]

I could not be more serious give teddy the backer job.

[@jonmorrowvektor5805]

Sorry Gabe, but YES TEDDY FOR LB COACH IN 2025!!! PLEASE!!

[@blaynebittencourt5076]

I learned this week, I hate my fellow OU "fans". I've blocked so many people on X. They are acting like children, it's really amazing to watch.

[@longkneemcgee1737]

Jeff Schmedding would be a hilarious hire tbh. As soon as I saw teddy l references for the job I knew I would be expecting the teddy hater to pop off in this video

[@smokey689]

Dude scatabo is gonna run freaking wild on texas

[@formallyknownasjojoemcpart6684]

Hope so.

[@johnjohnson1997]

Lol

[@WilliamNeish]

Not gonna happen son 🤘

[@smokey689]

@WilliamNeish Will see, bud, that's what everyone has said all yr.

[@harpomianre6228]

Lehman for LB coach. Ikard would not be a bad OL coach

[@thehealdfamily2010]

I absolutely love y’all so much. Y’all make me laugh so hard. Gabe I am so sorry to tell you but you are gonna lose your partner to OU as the new backers Coach. You put it out there in the universe. I hope y’all are able to do this a long time. It brings a light to OU fans in this very dark time.

[@TheSfenn]

I think it would feel differently if we had won the bowl game.

[@kaylataylor5373]

The program is in chaos.

[@sallyfrogge3969]

Speaking things like this doesn't help the situation at all

[@jacobsmith5865]

Na we winning the natty at some point 😅 might be in 2065 tho

[@WilliamNeish]

Does 8-4 save Venables next season?

[@lloydwhittlesey594]

Zac leaving isn't that big of an issue... BV owns this defense!!! BOOMER!!

[@StrawHatTeen-k6i]

It's a big issue if some of your best defensive players decide to go to the Transfer Portal because of his leaving. Many said he was better at explaining the defense to them than BV was.

[@cryhwks]

Still not the point and it has never been the point.

[@stasonsteagall356]

I disagree with your opinion, it does matter. Our defense was much improved this year, it wasn't a coincidence. Alley leaving will affect us as much as lebby leaving. Not to mention the exodus of players that may well follow.

[@Del-Scent]

I know the fan base is freaking out about Alley leaving for WV. He signed a three year deal, which gives him stability. Let's face it: there's not a lot of stability for a football coach at Oklahoma at present. I agree with Teddy , Zach wanted out from under Brents shadow to be his own man. Im sure Brent was micromanaging Zach to some extent.

[@TXbeats62]

Doesnt sound like BV is going to be around long

[@allenharvey7141]

We will be fine. Venables is d guru. Offense will come next year. OU will attract the very best d coordinators.

[@russcoulter8572]

I'm not sure that it's horrible. There was 3 co dc this season if I'm not mistaken

[@Jmkeith20]

My only hope is Brent’s career takes a Jim Harbaugh turn and not the John Blake turn.

[@cgtrains]

Unfortunately Jim Harbaugh was actually good his first three seasons.

[@tdmarkit8dude]

It’s already taken a John Blake turn!

[@8brice]

Alley is a bum for leaving like he did. If he takes any players he is a bigger bum!