Oklahoma targeting Arkansas State defensive coordinator Nate Dreiling to join staff

Oklahoma is targeting Arkansas State defensive coordinator Nate Dreiling for a role on Brent Venables’ staff, multiple sources tell On3 and Sooner Scoop. Utah State’s interim head coach in 2024, he was hired at Arkansas State in early January.

Dreiling led the Aggies to a 4-8 record this season, stepping in following the dismissal of Blake Anderson in July. He’s the former defensive coordinator at New Mexico State and Pittsburg State and he’s worked at Oregon as an analyst.

Brent Venables has a hole to fill on staff following Zac Alley’s decision to take the West Virginia job after only one season. Oklahoma previously targeted former Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, who ultimately took the Penn State defensive coordinator opening.

Alley served as defensive coordinator under West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriguez from 2022-23 at Jacksonville State. He also spent four seasons under Venables’ at Clemson as a graduate assistant from 2015-18. In Alley’s sole season with the Sooners, Oklahoma’s defense finished No. 31 nationally in total defense and No. 5 in the SEC.

Utah State ranked top 50 nationally in sacks and interceptions this season under Dreiling. In two seasons at New Mexico State, he helped the Aggies to a 17-11 record and consecutive bowl games, along with an appearance in the Conference USA championship game in its first year in the league in 2023. The Aggies defense in 2023 allowed 22.8 points per game to lead the conference and rank 44th in FBS.

The 34-year-old defensive coordinator has emerged as a fast riser in the coaching ranks. Now Dreiling is a target to join Oklahoma’s staff.