Oklahoma poaches key Alabama assistant coach, completes staff

The Oklahoma Sooners announced the hire of Alabama cornerbacks coach Jay Valai as co-defensive coordinator and pass defense assistant who will work with cornerbacks and nickel backs on Tuesday night. The potential for the move was reported by On3’s Matt Zenitz one week ago.

The addition complete’s Brent Venables first on-field staff as head coach and further cements the defensive identity of his program. The former Wisconsin captain and two-time All-Big Ten honoree has risen quickly through the ranks since beginning his coaching career in 2016.

Oklahoma is Jay Valai’s fifth coaching post in as many years, spending time with multiple teams over the past several seasons. Before Alabama, he spent time on Tom Herman’s Texas staff, the 2019 Rutgers staff and worked in the Kansas City Chiefs organization as a defensive quality control and assistant defensive backs coach.

Statement from Oklahoma

In a press release from the University of Oklahoma, Jay Valai put out a statement on his new role under head coach Brent Venables.

“Coach Venables and I met on the road recruiting years ago and he has always been awesome to me as a mentor,” said Valai. “We both love football so much and I’ve loved talking about the nuances of the game with him. Just going back and forth with ideas and thoughts, scheme adjustments and so on. We just really clicked. But I also really admire his passion. That’s one thing you can’t hide in life, and Coach Venables is one of the most passionate and authentic human beings you could ever meet.

“Alabama has been awesome and Nick Saban is the G.O.A.T. I learned so much working under him and we have a tremendous relationship. He and Miss Terry have been amazing to my family and me. But to get the opportunity to be closer to home working for an Oklahoma program I grew up watching while living in Dallas and to work with Brent and be a cook in the kitchen with him is special. I’m excited. It’s beyond a blessing to be part of Sooner Nation.”

Brent Venables also released a statement on his latest hire, provided a glowing review.

“Jay is one of the up-and-coming coaches in college football,” said Venables. “He’ll bring a lot of great ideas from a scheme standpoint, he’s one of the best teachers in the game and he’s got a great reputation as a recruiter. He’s going to be a head coach sooner rather than later. Sometimes you know when guys have ‘it,’ and Jay certainly has it.”