Brent Venables is adding some Big Sky flavor to his defensive staff in Norman.
Sources tell FootballScoop that Aaron Cheatwood, the linebackers coach and defensive run game coordinator at Northern Arizona (FCS), has resigned to join the Oklahoma staff.
The 2026 season would have been Cheatwood's third on staff with the Lumberjacks.
Cheatwood’s departure marks a significant loss for Brian Wright’s staff in Flagstaff. During the 2024 and 2025 seasons, Cheatwood was instrumental in building one of the Big Sky’s most formidable defenses.
His linebacker unit had multiple players named to the All-Big Sky teams for the second straight season as they ranked among the top 20 teams in FCS football in scoring defense (15th) and total defense (18th) while also ranking among the top 40 nationally in rush defense.
Prior to the Northern Arizona staff, Cheatwood spent a season on staff as a defensive analyst at New Mexico State.
He also logged a few seasons at the Junior College level, starting off as defensive line coach at Garden City CC (JC - KS) before being elevated to defensive coordinator ahead of the 2021 season.
Prior to joining the college ranks, Cheatwood enjoyed a successful eight-year run at Yuma Catholic HS (AZ), where he served as both offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator and head coach during his time with the program, helping them to three state titles.
At Oklahoma, he joins Brent Venables squad that has undergone a defensive resurgence in 2025. The Sooners ranked among the top 10 teams in college football in scoring defense, total defense, run defense, and sacks last fall during their 10-3 campaign that came to an end in the College Football Playoff's first round. With a pair of 6-7 seasons (2022 and 2024) to go along with two 10-3 seasons (2023 and 2025), Venables enters the 2025 season with perhaps as much momentum as he's ever had with a 32-20 overall record heading into year five in Norman.
This fall, the defensive staff lost corners coach Jay Valai (who left for a position with the Buffalo Bils), and Venables brought former Michigan defensive pass game coordinator and defensive backs coach Lamar Morgan on board to coach the corners moving forward.
For Wright's program at Northern Arizona, they will now look to fill a key leadership role on the defensive staff coming off back-to-back winning seasons.
Stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.