Buffalo Bills Targeting Oklahoma Defensive Coach Jay Valai

The NFL team is interested in Valai to join their coaching staff.

Feb. 1, 2026 at 8:55am

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The Buffalo Bills are reportedly targeting Oklahoma Sooners assistant head coach for defense and co-defensive coordinator Jay Valai to be their new defensive backs coach. Valai has been with Oklahoma since 2022 and has helped the Sooners field some of the best defenses in the country during that time.

Why it matters

Valai is considered one of the top young defensive coaches in college football, and his potential hire by the Bills would be a significant addition to their coaching staff as they look to continue building a championship-caliber defense.

The details

Under Valai's guidance, the Oklahoma defense has been ranked among the best in the nation, including the sixth-ranked total defense in 2025 that gave up just 272.5 yards per game, with 195.2 of those yards coming through the air. Several NFL teams have expressed interest in Valai, but the Bills are reportedly targeting him to be their new defensive backs coach.

  • Valai has been with Oklahoma since 2022, at the start of the Brent Venables era.

The players

Jay Valai

The assistant head coach for defense and co-defensive coordinator at the University of Oklahoma, who has helped the Sooners field some of the best defenses in the country in recent years.

Buffalo Bills

An NFL team that is reportedly targeting Valai to be their new defensive backs coach as they look to continue building a championship-caliber defense.

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What’s next

The Bills will continue their pursuit of Valai, and if they are able to hire him, it would be a significant addition to their coaching staff as they look to improve their defense.

The takeaway

Valai's potential hire by the Bills would be a testament to his reputation as one of the top young defensive coaches in college football, and his addition could help the Bills take their defense to the next level.