Skip to main content
oklahoma logo

OU officially hires Nate Dreiling, Wes Goodwin to defensive staff

headshotby:George Stoia•about 10 hours•

GeorgeStoia

Nate Dreiling4
Defensive coordinator Nate Dreiling. (James Snook - Imagn Images)

OU has officially hired Nate Dreiling and Wes Goodwin to its defensive staff, the school announced on Saturday. Dreiling will serve as the inside linebackers coach, while Goodwin will be the assistant linebackers and outside linebackers coach.

Coach Brent Venables will call the defense in 2025.

“I have reflected on all facets of our program over the past several weeks,” said Venables in a statement. “Since I was hired as head coach, we have carefully assembled the defensive personnel and scheme that is suited to compete at the highest level, and we’ve built a deep and talented roster ready for the moment. I have high expectations for our program and will do everything in my power to achieve our goals for our players. To that end, I will take over defensive play-calling responsibilities for the 2025 season.”

Dreiling replaces former co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Zac Alley, who left for West Virginia on Dec. 28. He was considered a top target by coach Brent Venables, having risen quickly through the coaching ranks. In 2024, he served as the interim head coach at Utah State before being hired as the defensive coordinator at Arkansas State on Jan. 2. At 34 years old, Dreiling has coached at his alma mater Pitt State, Kansas, Oregon, Southeast Missouri State, New Mexico State and Utah State.

Goodwin joins Oklahoma’s staff after spending the last three seasons as Clemson’s defensive coordinator. He replaced Venables in 2022, following his departure to OU. Goodwin worked closely with Venables at Clemson, serving as a defensive assistant for 13 seasons. He was let go by the Tigers following the 2024 season.

Here’s a closer look at OU’s newest coaches and what Venables had to say about the hires.

“Adding Nate and Wes to our team, with their extensive and diverse experience, simply adds to my expectations and excitement for our defensive unit,” Venables said. “I’m energized by the prospect of getting back into play-calling and for the continued momentum I see us gaining with the strategic moves we’re making on both sides of the ball.”

Nate Dreiling, inside linebackers

  • 2025-present: Inside linebackers, Oklahoma
  • 2024: Interim head coach/defensive coordinator/DEs, Utah State
  • 2022-23: Defensive coordinator, New Mexico State
  • 2021: Defensive run game coordinator/linebackers, Southeast Missouri State
  • 2020: Defensive analyst, Oregon
  • 2018-19: Defensive coordinator, Pittsburg State
  • 2017: Safeties, Pittsburg State
  • 2015-16: Graduate assistant, Kansas

Wes Goodwin, assistant linebackers/outside linebackers coach

  • 2025-present: Assistant LBs/OLBs, Oklahoma
  • 2022-24: Defensive coordinator/linebackers, Clemson
  • 2018-21: Senior defensive assistant, Clemson
  • 2015-17: Assistant to the HC, Arizona Cardinals
  • 2012-14: Defensive analyst, Clemson
  • 2009-11: Graduate assistant, Clemson
  • 2005-08: Student assistant, Mississippi State

You may also like