What was meant to be the final defeat for Sooner Nation in 2024 turned into a weekend of deeper sorrow. Just one day after the painful loss to Navy in the Armed Forces Bowl, Oklahoma’s defensive coordinator Zac Alley dropped another bombshell: he was heading to West Virginia. The Mountaineers swiftly confirmed Alley’s appointment as their new assistant head coach and defensive coordinator under Rich Rodriguez, his former boss at Jacksonville State.
The news came as whispers of Alley’s exit had been circulating during the days leading up to the bowl game. The Sooners’ 21-20 loss to Navy, which left them with a 6-7 season record, was supposed to be the final setback. Yet, the unexpected departure of Alley hit even harder, leaving Sooner fans reeling over the weekend.
As frustration, humor, and confusion dominated social media, the Sooner faithful found themselves grappling with a second losing season in three years and another key coach leaving for a rival Big 12 team. A growing number of fans are questioning if the troubles run deeper, possibly reaching beyond head coach Brent Venables.
Despite the mounting questions, Zac Alley remains the primary target of the fanbase’s ire as Sooner Nation continues to process this latest setback.
