From OU's On3 site
According to SoonerScoop.com sources, there could be other staff departures coming soon. On both sides of the ball.
The name to watch on the defensive side of the ball is Jay Valai. Oklahoma’s cornerbacks coach since 2022, Valai could be a candidate elsewhere for a defensive coordinator position. On the offensive side of the ball, it should surprise no one if tight ends coach Joe Jon Finley and running backs coach DeMarco Murray moved on from Norman.
The two OU football alums could be looking for opportunities elsewhere. Finley could be a candidate for OC jobs at the Group of Five level. Or he could jump to another tight end job elsewhere. And according to sources, that would likely be a mutual departing.
As for Murray, he will likely get calls from the NFL when the NFL regular season concludes. A jump to the league would not be surprising. He has garnered interest from several organizations in recent years, including the Las Vegas Raiders. Many inside the program expected Murray to be back in 2025 with the Sooners. And that still could hold true, but it feels as though anything is on the table for Murray right now.
With all of these potential departures from the coaching staff, don’t be surprised if any new players jump in the portal. Linebacker Lewis Carter unexpectedly got in the portal on Sunday. OU staff members, such as Brandon Hall, Todd Bates and Miguel Chavis, have been trying to hold this ship together since Alley’s departure. And on offense, the charge has mostly been led by new offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle.
Alley’s departure, and the potential for other departures, raise serious questions about the stability inside the Switzer Center and the overall operations and structure of the program. Under Alley, the future was bright on the defensive side of the ball.
At the time of his hiring, it was thought Venables would be able to step away from his unofficial role as head coach/defensive coordinator. That he would let Alley take over the reins of the defense. In turn, Venables would be able to focus more on the details of being a head coach. But the failures of the offense and the hiring of Seth Littrell overshadowed everything in 2024.
Now, Venables has to stabilize the program. Which is beginning to look like a more difficult task than anyone previously thought.