With Jay Valai heading to the NFL to join the Buffalo Bills, Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables has a key vacancy to fill on his defensive staff. Valai’s departure leaves a hole at cornerbacks coach, but the Sooners are far from scrambling. Thanks to a standout 2025 season that saw OU make a serious run in the College Football Playoff picture, the program is in a strong position to attract top-tier coaching talent.
Venables, who doubles as the team’s defensive coordinator, has built a defense that’s once again become a calling card in Norman. And whoever steps into this role won’t be starting from scratch. With returning starters Eli Bowen and Courtland Guillory anchoring the cornerback room, plus reinforcements from the transfer portal, the new coach will inherit a unit with experience, depth, and momentum.
Here’s a look at five names already generating buzz as potential replacements for Valai - each bringing a unique blend of ties to the program, coaching chops, and recruiting upside.
Xavier Brewer - Senior Defensive Analyst, Oklahoma
If Venables opts to promote from within, Xavier Brewer is the most logical next man up. Brewer has been part of OU’s staff since Venables took over in 2022, serving as a defensive analyst and helping shape the secondary from behind the scenes. The two go back even further - Brewer was a graduate assistant under Venables at Clemson in 2019 and 2020, gaining early exposure to the defensive system that’s now the backbone of Oklahoma’s identity.
Brewer also has a year of on-field experience under his belt, having coached cornerbacks at Louisiana-Monroe in 2021. His familiarity with the system and the personnel, plus his steady rise through the coaching ranks, make him a strong internal candidate.
Dominique Franks - Cornerbacks Coach, Tulsa
Sooner fans know the name - Dominique Franks was a standout defensive back at Oklahoma and earned Second-Team All-Big 12 honors with Venables as his defensive coordinator. After a four-year NFL stint, Franks transitioned into coaching, starting with the New Jersey Generals in the USFL before moving to Tulsa. There, he climbed the ladder quickly, going from a quality control analyst in 2023 to cornerbacks coach in 2024.
While there’s always a bit of hesitation when it comes to hiring former players - nostalgia doesn’t always translate to coaching success - Franks has shown he’s more than just a familiar face. He’s earned his way up and brings both playing experience and fresh coaching energy to the table.
Mike Reed - Cornerbacks Coach, Clemson
Mike Reed is a veteran name with deep ties to Venables. The two worked together at Clemson, where Reed has been a mainstay since 2013. Over the years, Reed’s role has grown - he’s now also serving as assistant head coach and special teams coordinator, in addition to coaching the corners.
Pulling Reed away from Clemson wouldn’t be easy - he’s been a fixture under Dabo Swinney for over a decade. But if there’s anyone who could make that pitch, it’s Venables. Their long-standing relationship, combined with the opportunity to help guide a surging Oklahoma defense in the SEC, could be enough to make things interesting.
Mark Stoops - Former Head Coach, Kentucky
Here’s the wild card. Mark Stoops - yes, the brother of Bob - is suddenly available after Kentucky parted ways with him following a 13-year run as head coach. That kind of experience is rare for a position coach candidate, but Stoops’ defensive background makes him a compelling name.
He’s held defensive coordinator roles at Florida State, Arizona, and Houston, and has coached defensive backs throughout his career. Interestingly, despite the family legacy, Mark has never coached at Oklahoma. Could this be the moment he joins the Sooner sideline and completes the Stoops coaching trifecta in Norman?
Chip Viney - Cornerbacks Coach, Arizona
Chip Viney is no stranger to Oklahoma - even if his time in Norman never overlapped with Venables. Viney has worn a lot of hats during his previous stints with the Sooners, including roles as a scouting analyst, special teams analyst, and Director of Player Development. Since then, he’s built up a solid résumé on the field, coaching corners at San Jose State and now Arizona.
Viney also brings strong recruiting ties to California - a region OU has increasingly targeted in recent classes. His familiarity with the program, combined with his West Coast connections and growing on-field credentials, make him a name worth watching.
What’s Next for OU?
Venables has options - and good ones. Whether he goes with an in-house promotion, taps into his Clemson roots, or brings back a familiar face, the Sooners are in a strong spot. The defense was a driving force in their 2025 success, and with key players returning, the expectation is that this unit will continue to be a cornerstone as Oklahoma transitions fully into life in the SEC.
The next hire won’t just be about filling a vacancy - it’ll be about continuing the identity Venables has built. And with this list of candidates, the Sooners are in position to keep that momentum rolling.