After the 2025 season, NFL teams have turned their attention to the college ranks, especially after last year’s struggles at key positions. That trend has now caught up with Oklahoma. On January 30, 2026, the Sooners finalized a new deal with assistant head coach and co-defensive coordinator Jay Valai, paying him $750,000 for the 2026 season.

But just two days later, Valai was already drawing strong interest from the Buffalo Bills and other NFL teams. The interest extends beyond the pros as well. Notre Dame has also targeted Valai to fill its defensive back opening after Mike Mickens left for the Baltimore Ravens.

Why the demand? During his first three seasons at Oklahoma (2022–2024), Valai’s pass defenses flat-out produced. The Sooners tied for third nationally by averaging 1.2 interceptions per game, totaling 46 picks in that stretch. The 2023 unit took it even further. They led the nation in interceptions per game (1.5) and finished second overall with 20 picks.

Then in 2025, Valai helped anchor a dominant Oklahoma defense that ranked top 10 nationally in both total defense and scoring defense, giving up just 13.9 points per game. Player development is another big selling point. In 2025, Valai turned true freshman Courtland Guillory into an instant starter. Guillory allowed just 22 catches on 47 targets all season and quickly earned “phenom” status.

A lot of that comes from Valai’s coaching philosophy, which he calls “Elite Instincts Theory.” That style isn’t random. Before getting into coaching, Valai ran a professional sports performance center for six years, training NBA and NFL athletes. That experience gives him a real edge in biomechanics, movement, and physical development. He is also already is familar with the league.

Valai worked with the Kansas City Chiefs as a defensive quality control and assistant DBs coach under Andy Reid in 2018 in the past. So his marks aren’t limited in college. Plus, it’s not just Brent Venables who’s trusted him. Nick Saban and Kirby Smart both took on Valai earlier in their careers. Under Saban, Valai coached Alabama’s cornerbacks during an SEC Championship trail and another trip to the Natty game.

That kind of endorsement carries serious weight. For the Bills, the fit makes sense. With Jim Leonhard promoted to defensive coordinator, Buffalo needs an elite position coach to handle the day-to-day development of the secondary. On top of that, Leonhard and Valai played at Wisconsin together. So they have that personal connection there that the Bills can use.

However, Buffalo isn’t the only team. Notre Dame also joins the party. And with a clear path to the 2026 playoffs, that job offers both security and national exposure.

The Irish pull is no less

Notre Dame’s interest in Jay Valai comes from the same domino effect we’re seeing all over college football. The Irish felt that hit directly when DBs coach Mike Mickens left to join the Baltimore Ravens under new head coach Jesse Minter. Mickens now handles the defensive backs and pass game coordination in Baltimore. It left Marcus Freeman with a noticeable hole in his defensive staff.

That gap only grew after linebackers coach Al Washington jumped to the Miami Dolphins and Max Bullough headed to Michigan State. That’s where Valai entered the picture. On paper, he makes a ton of sense. But the pursuit has gotten complicated fast. Multiple reports out of Oklahoma suggest Valai has already agreed to a new contract. It will pay him $750,000 in 2026.

Notre Dame has the financial muscle to compete and could even dangle a promotion to oversee the entire secondary. But right now, momentum doesn’t seem to be on their side. Still, it’s not a door that’s fully closed. One factor to watch is Irish defensive coordinator Chris Ash. Valai and Ash go way back. For nearly 15 years, Valai has been widely viewed as one of Ash’s protégés. Their relationship dates back to Wisconsin, where Valai was a senior captain and starting safety, while Ash coached the defensive backs.