After a key assistant left Oklahoma for the NFL, head coach Brent Venables may look to a former standout player to fill the vacancy. What would that look like for the Sooners?
Oklahoma HC Brent Venables Eyeing Former Player Dom Franks for CB Coaching Job
For four seasons, Jay Valai served as Venables’ top assistant. Officially, he held the position of assistant head coach for defense/co-defensive coordinator/pass defense/cornerbacks and nickelbacks.
With Valai’s assistance, the Sooners boasted the No. 3 defense in PFSN’s CFB Defense Impact Rankings. On February 2, he accepted the cornerbacks’ coaching job for the Buffalo Bills. In his stead, Venables could bring Franks to the University of Oklahoma.
“When Venables arrived as HC he had conversations with then Owasso (OK) DB Coach Dom Franks to join his staff. He played for Venables for three seasons before getting drafted. He could be name to watch after a year with his CB’s that earned him a promotion to PGC/NB at Tulsa.”
When Venables arrived as HC he had conversations with then Owasso (OK) DB Coach Dom Franks to join his staff.
He played for Venables for three seasons before getting drafted.
He could be name to watch after a year with his CB’s that earned him a promotion to PGC/NB at Tulsa. https://t.co/gSX0WDHJxi
— Travis J Davidson (@TravisSkol) February 2, 2026
From 2007 to 2009, Franks played under Venables, who served as defensive coordinator under head coach Bob Stoops. Â During his career in Norman, the cornerback played 40 games, making 95 tackles, 2.5 sacks, picking off six passes, and returning two for touchdowns.
The Atlanta Falcons drafted him in the 2010 NFL Draft. Franks played five seasons in the NFL, four in Atlanta. Afterward, he took a job in Owasso (Okla.). High school coaching the defense. For the last couple of seasons, Franks has been the cornerbacks coach at the University of Tulsa. One of his star pupils, cornerback Elijah Green, held the No. 46 spot on PFSN’s CFB CB Impact Rankings.
If Franks does replace Valai with Franks, he will need to rebuild a secondary depleted by one graduation (Robert Spears-Jennings) and six transfers. More importantly, Venables continues to take heat for his defensive collapse in the first round of the College Football Playoff.
Against Alabama, Oklahoma ran out to a 17-point lead and could not hold it, falling to the Tide, 34-24. Despite possessing a .615 winning percentage, the media press Venables about his 0-4 bowl record.
This year could become a make-or-break year for the Sooners. With quarterback John Mateer returning, expectations for Oklahoma could rise beyond Venables’ abilities. As a result, Franks will need his cornerbacks to play at a consistently elite level if he takes the job.
The SEC continues to churn out quality passing offenses, with Venables’ team seeking more than their fair share. The schedule, in order, poses problems. For example, in three consecutive games, the team plays Georgia, Texas, and Kentucky. Furthermore, finishing the season against Ole Miss, Texas A&M, and Missouri will test anyone’s secondary.
