There hasn't been much leaked during Brent Venables' search for the Oklahoma Sooners' next defensive coordinator, but there is a trio of names that keeps getting repeated by multiple outlets.
Zac Alley left OU to be the defensive coordinator and assistant head coach at West Virginia for more money and more power, leaving a vacancy on Venables' staff.
It's been over two weeks now since Alley left, and Venables still hasn't named a replacement, nor has a frontrunner for the job even been reported yet. However, there are three names that keep getting mentioned as numerous outlets try to predict the Sooners' next defensive coordinator.
There's a solid chance one of these three coaches is leading OU's defense in 2025.
Wes Goodwin
Wes Goodwin's name has been mentioned the most since the beginning, and talks of him joining the Sooners have only increased with his recent career update.
Goodwin replaced Venables as Clemson's defensive coordinator when Venables left in 2021 to become OU's head coach. Goodwin led the defensive unit and coached linebackers for the Tigers until Dabo Swinney fired him at the end of this season.
Swinney axing Goodwin was expected, which is why it was predicted by many that Goodwin would head to Norman. Those talks only increased once the move actually happened and Goodwin was officially on the market.
And don't let Goodwin's recent firing lead you to believe he's bad at his job. This was Clemson's worst season under Goodwin after being a top-25 defense the previous two seasons. In 2023, the Tigers at least tied for the national lead in takeaways (28), defensive touchdowns (5) and pick-sixes (4). And even this season the defense was good enough for Clemson to win an ACC championship and get to the College Football Playoff.
Venables also loves familiarity with his coaches, and Goodwin coached on Venables' defensive staff at Clemson.
However, considering it's been over two weeks and Goodwin is already a free agent, doubt is growing if this is Venables' choice after all. There's been reports of OU pursuing a "big name," so maybe Goodwin just isn't Venables' top choice and still could be his pick if someone else doesn't pan out.
Jim Knowles
Speaking of big names, Jim Knowles' is the biggest in college football right now among defensive coordinators.
Knowles is one of only two defensive coordinators actually still coaching as he leads Ohio State's defense against Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff championship on Monday night. The Buckeyes' defense is the main reason Ohio State has gotten this far as one of the best units in the country.
Last week, I put Knowles as a dream candidate to be the Sooners' next defensive coordinator, assuming it was unrealistic (and it still could be). Then, soon after, SoonerScoop reported that OU was interested in Knowles (who isn't?) and wanted to pursue him but had not talked to Knowles yet while he's still coaching in the College Football Playoff.
Knowles has already had roots in the state before. He was Oklahoma State's defensive coordinator for four seasons before heading to Ohio State in 2022. Knowles' defense was the reason behind the Cowboys making it to the Big 12 Championship Game and beating Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl during the 2021 season.
Brandon Hall
Like Goodwin, Brandon Hall has been mentioned as a serious candidate from the get-go.
Hall is already on OU's staff as safeties coach. He's also been a successful defensive coordinator before at Troy, Jacksonville State and Central Oklahoma.
As previously mentioned, Venables favors familiarity, and he's a defensive coach who likes for his program to run his system on defense. Hall is as familiar as they come, already on Venables' staff, and he even graduated from OU while serving as a student assistant when Venables was the Sooners' defensive coordinator.
Despite a disappointing 6-7 record, the Sooners actually had a top-25 defense this season. That's not the side of the ball that needs to be fixed, so if Venables goes with the saying, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," then promoting Hall would be the most likely option.
The Sooners also already have two other co-defensive coordinators on staff in Todd Bates and Jay Valai, who are also possible candidates to get promoted. Regardless, Venables has faith in all three of these coaches, so bringing in someone new, especially a big-time veteran coach, could also mean letting these guys go to make room for a new staff.
Read more about the Sooners' coaching search
- 5 dream 'big name' defensive coordinator candidates for Oklahoma
- Who could be Oklahoma's next defensive coordinator?
- Oklahoma has in-house options for next defensive coordinator