Who Might Oklahoma Pursue to Replace CBs Coach Jay Valai?

The Sooners look to replace Jay Valai, who has accepted an offer to become the Buffalo Bills' cornerbacks coach.

Xavier Brewer, left, and quarterback Trevor Lawrence greet each other before of the College Football Playoff National Championship game in New Orleans Monday, January 13, 2020. | Ken Ruinard / staff, The Greenville News via Imagn Content Services, LLC

The Sooners are on the hunt for a new cornerbacks coach.

After four years on Oklahoma’s defensive staff, Jay Valai is headed to the NFL to serve as the Buffalo Bills’ cornerbacks coach.

Valai is one of two assistants to depart from the program since the conclusion of the 2025 season, along with Joe Jon Finley, who the school parted ways with.

Here are a few candidates who the Sooners could pursue to replace Valai:

Xavier Brewer

Oct, 1, 2011; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Clemson Tigers cornerback Xavier Brewer (29) is tackled by Virginia Tech Hokies wide receiver Jarrett Boykin (81) after intercepting the ball in the first quarter at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Oklahoma could opt to hire someone from within like Xavier Brewer.

Brewer has been on OU’s staff as a senior defensive analyst since 2022. In addition to his four years in Norman, Brewer spent two seasons as a graduate assistant at Clemson, working closely with then-Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables. 

Between his two stops working with Venables, Brewer served as Louisiana-Monroe’s cornerbacks coach in 2021.

Brewer is someone with plenty of familiarity with Venables, which could make promoting him to cornerbacks coach an easy and logical move for Oklahoma.

Brandon Hall

Oklahoma safeties coach Brandon Hall speaks during a media day for the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) football team in Norman, Okla., Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023. | BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK

Safeties coach Brandon Hall is another internal option for Oklahoma.

Hall has also been on Venables’ staff since 2022 after serving three seasons as Troy’s defensive coordinator. He is a University of Oklahoma alumnus, and he previously served as a student assistant from 1998 to 2000. Hall segued from that role to a graduate assistant position with the Sooners before spending three seasons as a defensive quality control assistant.

Altogether, Hall has been a college football coach for more than 24 years. His Oklahoma ties and experience coaching with Venables makes him a strong candidate if he’d want to move position groups.

Dominique Franks

Baltimore Ravens cornerback Dominique Franks (32) celebrates in the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at M&T Bank Stadium. | Evan Habeeb-Imagn Images

Former OU defensive back Dominique Franks has never coached in Norman, but his youth and ties to the university make him an interesting prospect.

Franks, who played three seasons in the NFL after his career at OU, has spent three seasons on Tulsa’s defensive staff. He has been the Golden Hurricane’s cornerbacks coach for each of the last two years.

Franks is only 38, and his only college coaching experience has come at a middling Tulsa program. But his connections and ability to relate to student-athletes — given his playing experience at OU under Venables and his youth — could get him an interview at the very least.

Gabe Lynn

Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Gabe Lynn (9) reacts during the game against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Oklahoma won 51-20. | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Another former OU player, Gabe Lynn, has now coached defensive backs at the Power Four level for a couple of years.

Lynn is slated to enter his second season on UCLA’s staff. He was the Bruins’ safeties coach in 2025, and he’s expected to coach their nickels in 2026. In 2025, Lynn helped UCLA allow only 196.6 passing yards per game.

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Lynn previously served on Deion Sanders’ staff at Colorado following stops at Houston Christian, Oklahoma Baptist and Central Oklahoma.

Based on the language used in his bio on UCLA’s athletic website, it seems that Lynn is content to remain in Los Angeles. But it’s possible that he would consider the Oklahoma cornerbacks coach opening if the Sooners showed interest.

T.J. Rushing

Indianapolis Colts defensive back (20) T.J. Rushing against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Indianapolis defeated Arizona 31-10. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Arkansas defensive backs coach and Pauls Valley, OK, native T.J. Rushing has plenty of SEC coaching experience.

The Razorbacks hired him in January after he coached Auburn’s safeties in 2025. Rushing also spent four seasons as Texas A&M’s defensive backs coach from 2020 to 2023 in addition to other stops at Arizona State, Memphis and Northern Arizona. Rushing also played three NFL seasons and won a Super Bowl with the Indianapolis Colts.

Maybe it’s unlikely that Rushing leaves Arkansas before even coaching a game in Fayetteville. But based on Norman’s proximity to his hometown, the Sooners would be wise to at least gauge his interest.