Jay Valai is heading to the NFL, and if the reaction from Oklahoma players, coaches, and fans is any indication, he’s leaving Norman with nothing but respect in his rearview mirror.
The news broke Monday morning: Valai, Oklahoma’s co-defensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach, is taking his talents to the pros as the Buffalo Bills’ new defensive backs coach. It’s a big step for a coach who’s been rising fast, and while the Sooners are losing a key piece of their defensive brain trust, the tone around the program has been more celebratory than somber.
Valai joined Brent Venables’ inaugural Oklahoma staff back in 2022, brought over from Alabama to help rebuild a defense that had lost its edge. He was tasked with leading the pass defense and coaching up the cornerbacks and nickelbacks.
Over time, he earned more responsibility, adding the title of assistant head coach for defense in 2024. And just last week, Oklahoma made a strong push to keep him, extending his contract and giving him a raise after the Sooners’ College Football Playoff appearance.
Notre Dame came calling too, trying to lure him away. But it was the NFL that ultimately won out.
That tells you plenty about Valai’s stock in the coaching world. But what really drives the point home is how his players reacted-not just the guys in his position group, but teammates from across the roster. One by one, they took to social media to show love for a coach who clearly left a mark.
Robert Spears-Jennings, Kendel Dolby, Gentry Williams, Jayden Gibson, Isaiah Coe, and Ben Anderson all gave public shoutouts to Valai, and their messages weren’t the usual canned fare. These were heartfelt tributes to a coach who connected with his players on a personal level. When players from both sides of the ball-some who didn’t even play under Valai directly-go out of their way to say goodbye, it says something.
Spears-Jennings called it “Big time… Love to see it Coach🖤.”
Dolby chimed in with, “One of the few real ones. Congrats Coach!✊🏾”
Williams added, “THE realist in the building 💯 Much love coach.”
And so it went, with each message reinforcing the same idea: Valai was more than just a coach. He was a leader, a mentor, and someone the players respected deeply.
Even longtime Oklahoma legend Bob Stoops weighed in, saying, “He did an incredible job here,” and expressing confidence that Valai’s coaching star will only continue to rise. That’s high praise from a guy who knows a thing or two about building elite staffs.
Sooner fans also took the news in stride, recognizing that losing a coordinator to the NFL is a sign of a healthy program. As one fan put it, “When your coordinators get hired by NFL teams, that’s a positive thing. You’re doing a lot of things right.”
Another echoed the sentiment: “Nothing but love and respect - thank you, Coach Valai, for everything you poured into this program. Buffalo got a great one. Once a Sooner, always a Sooner.”
There was even a little retrospective vindication in the mix. One fan recalled how Alabama fans scoffed when Oklahoma hired Valai, questioning his ability to develop talent.
“He did pretty well at OU I’d say,” they wrote. Hard to argue with that, especially after the Sooners made it back to the CFP.
For Oklahoma, the challenge now is filling the void left by a coach who was clearly beloved and respected. But for Jay Valai, the future is wide open. He’s joining a Buffalo Bills organization that’s been a perennial playoff contender, and he’ll have a chance to make his mark at the highest level.
It’s always tough to lose a coach of Valai’s caliber, but when the departure is met with this much admiration, it’s a reminder of the kind of impact great coaches can have-not just on a defense, but on a program’s culture.
Buffalo’s getting a good one. And Oklahoma knows it.