‘That guy is about his business’

NORMAN – He is leaving his first spring as co-defensive coordinator from Norman, Oklahoma Zac Alley has left a good taste in the mouths of his players.

Alley, one Brent Venables A student who has been likened to a younger version of the Sooners’ head coach led Oklahoma’s defense — the White team — to a tasty performance Saturday in Oklahoma’s annual Red/White spring game at Owen Field. Chapman McKown’s running back touchdown sent the Red team back to the facility with a 65-58 win, but the defense’s relentless physicality and tenacity on the back end stole the show.

“We’re miles ahead of where we were (last spring),” Sooners senior and 2023 All-Big 12 First-Team linebacker Danny Stutsman said after the scrimmage. “Obviously, Coach Alley has done a phenomenal job.”

WATCH: Oklahoma HC Brent Venables Spring Game press conference

Oklahoma’s defense, and especially its frontmen, suffocated the offensive front for four quarters on Saturday. It was a big difference from the defensive fronts of the two years Ted Dak era that ended on January 4 when he and the university parted ways.

Alley, 30, was hired Jan. 13 after coordinating Jacksonville State’s defense and coaching linebackers for two seasons. Alley worked under Venables at Clemson as a graduate assistant from 2015 to 2018, working primarily with defensive tackles and linebackers during a 55-4 run that resulted in two national championships.

“Everything has been good all spring. He has adapted quickly, as expected,” Venables said of Alley. “He’s done several things that have helped us move forward, progress and get better. A lot of it is intended linguistically, in an attempt to simplify some things from a language point of view. Sometimes when you get outside a system you have to go to different places and start all over again and everyone is new. You discover how you can be even more efficient.”

It’s not just the simplified nomenclature that has helped Alley build a rapport with his players.

“(Alley) is a great guy,” said defensive lineman and Big 12 Second-Team pick Ethan Downs. “We really trust him on defense. Even the whole team can look at him and say, ‘That guy is minding his business.’ He has already built great relationships with the players. He is very focused on his presence in our lives. … They go hand in hand, your performance on the field and your lifestyle off the field, and they have a lot invested in both.

In total, the defense produced seven sacks on Saturday. Downs was responsible for one of those sacks plus four tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss. True freshmen David Stone And Jayden Jackson They looked like veterans who combined for six tackles and a sack on Saturday.

“The younger guys made a lot of plays. (It) looked great to see them, you know, Coach Alley does a phenomenal job of teaching every chance he gets,” Stutsman said.

Save for Deion Burks’ electric 5-catch, 174-yard, two-touchdown day, the Sooners’ secondary was commendable against the pass. OU’s quarterbacks went 18-40 for 326 yards in four quarters of continuous play, struggling to fit passes where defenders couldn’t break them up.

“Coach Alley is a great man. He is young and energetic,” Downs said. “That’s different from coach Roof, and not speaking against coach Roof who was here before. He was also a great coach, but Coach Alley’s young, exciting energy really revitalized our defense.”

Oklahoma’s 2024 season begins Friday, August 30 at 6:00 PM against Temple at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.