Former Oklahoma Sooners assistant head coach for defense/co-defensive coordinator/pass defense/cornerbacks and nickelbacks coach Jay Valai was hired by the NFL’s Buffalo Bills as the franchise’s new cornerbacks coach earlier this week. He penned a heartfelt goodbye to OU on social media on Wednesday.
Valai had been in Norman since 2022, leaving Alabama to come to OU as a part of head coach Brent Venables’ inaugural coaching staff. He’s been instrumental in Oklahoma’s turnaround on defense, and he’s been an excellent cornerbacks coach over the past four seasons for the Sooners, showcasing a great ability to develop players. Now, he’ll work for new Bills head coach Joe Brady.
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In his post, Valai thanked Sooner Nation, Venables, the entire coaching staff, the support staff, many of the players, and general manager Jim Nagy, along with university president Joseph Harroz Jr. and athletics director Joe Castiglione.
“Sooner Nation, Words cannot fully describe what you have meant to my family and I, and how much we appreciate you,” Valai wrote in the post. “In our time here, you all have truly made an impact on us that we won’t forget! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the constant love & support. Norman will always be a special place to us, and it is because of the people here. Not just the support for this team, but the love and genuine interactions that you all have had with my family and I will not be forgotten.”
Valai was primarily responsible for landing and developing both Eli Bowen and Courtland Guillory, the expected returning starters at CB for the Sooners next year. Despite both being underclassmen, the duo became a strong starting tandem for the stretch run to the College Football Playoff in 2025. They’ll be a big part of OU’s defense in 2026.
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“Oklahoma will always be a special place, and it’s the people who make it that way,” Valai wrote.
Valai’s exit marks another change to the coaching staff for the Sooners. Oklahoma fired tight ends coach Joe Jon Finley in January, and replaced him with Jason Witten. Director of Sports Enhancement and Strength and Conditioning Jerry Schmidt is moving to a new role as Elite Performance Liaison, effectively replacing former Chief of Staff Woody Glass. Schmidt’s role has already been filled by former Associate Director of Sports Performance James Dobson, who has added Matt Manninger to his staff as the Senior Strength and Conditioning Trainer.
The search to replace Valai is on, as Venables looks to have his staff complete again going into spring football in March.
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Former Oklahoma Sooners CB coach says goodbye in lengthy post
