News broke Monday morning that Oklahoma co-defensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach Jay Valai is headed to the NFL to be the Buffalo Bills' new defensive backs coach, but despite the sudden departure, there didn't seem to be any hard feelings from Sooner Nation about Valai going to the next level, especially from his former players.
Valai had been at Oklahoma since 2022 as part of head coach Brent Venables' original staff with the Sooners. Venables poached Valai from Alabama to be a co-defensive coordinator and lead OU's pass defense while also serving as cornerbacks and nickelbacks coach. Valai then added the title of assistant head coach for defense in 2024.
The Sooners did all they could to keep Valai in Oklahoma for at least a fifth season after Notre Dame also tried to steal him away last week. Valai signed an extension and was one of multiple OU assistants that got a raise just last week to reward them after the Sooners' trip to the College Football Playoff.
If a promotion in 2024, a recent raise, other teams trying to steal him and just his product on the field wasn't enough to show Valai's value as a coach, then the reaction from his career move should definitely be enough to prove how important Valai was.
Sooners pay respect to Valai as he leaves for Buffalo Bills
After the report surfaced on social media of Valai's move to the Bills, many of his former players, some who didn't play a position or even on the same side of the ball that he coached, paid respects and congratulated Valai for the new job.
Former Sooners safety Robert Spears-Jennings, cornerback Kendel Dolby, cornerback Gentry Williams, wide receiver Jayden Gibson, defensive lineman Isaiah Coe and current long snapper Ben Anderson all acknowledged Valai. It's noteworthy because it would have been even easier for those guys to read the news and move on, or just reach out privately, but they felt the need to publicly give Valai some love.
Big timeβ¦ Love to see it Coachπ€ https://t.co/FipdMfTPIk
β RSJπ€ (@RobertJ3nnings) February 2, 2026
One of the few real ones. Congrats Coach!βπΎ @JayValai https://t.co/4AjqaTMxn1
β KD (@kd_937) February 2, 2026
THE realist in the building π― Much love coach @JayValai https://t.co/lUgbz7mm8K
β Gentry Williams (@gentrywilliams5) February 2, 2026
realest coach in the world love ya man ! @JayValai https://t.co/gIYwtpbFlo
β Jayden Gibson (@TheJaydenGibson) February 2, 2026
Always Been Solid Much Love OG π― @JayValai https://t.co/2tulIVwmZW
β Isaiah Coe πΏ (@chiefzay_) February 2, 2026
π @JayValai https://t.co/BpDgEwne6r
β Ben Anderson (@62BenAnderson) February 2, 2026
Even some OU fans gave respects to the outgoing coach. However, the loss is probably easier to handle knowing he's not joining a team that could ever be on the Sooners' schedule.
When your coordinators get hired by NFL teams, thatβs a positive thing. Youβre doing a lot of things right.
β Dryfit Venables (@DryfitVenables) February 2, 2026
Goodluck to you Coach @JayValai π«‘
Nothing but love and respect β thank you, Coach Valai, for everything you poured into this program. Buffalo got a great one. Once a Sooner, always a Sooner π€β€οΈ pic.twitter.com/GE7O5CxmlW
β Red Dirt Media (@RedDirtMediaCo) February 2, 2026
I remember when Bama fans tried to clown OU for taking Valai. Saying he was terrible and couldnβt develop. He did pretty well at OU Iβd say. https://t.co/PkiWy5Ewnu
β πΊππππππππ©π½ (@OhItsOklahoma) February 2, 2026
Even the legend himself, Bob Stoops, had high praise for Valai.
Bob Stoops is a fan of Jay Valai and thinks heβll only continue to do big things in his coaching career.
β The REF (@KREFsports) February 2, 2026
βHe did an incredible job here.β pic.twitter.com/jkH8G2Gkyd
Now, Venables has to find a replacement with obviously big shoes to fill.