In a move that’s got people talking about Oklahoma’s defense, Brent Venables has brought Aaron Cheatwood onto his staff. Cheatwood just left his role as linebackers coach and defensive run game coordinator at Northern Arizona (FCS).
He’s got years of experience and a knack for defensive strategy. Oklahoma is clearly looking to keep the momentum rolling from their impressive 2025 season, when they cracked the top 10 in several defensive stats.
Cheatwood’s arrival is expected to give the team’s defense another boost as they prep for what’s ahead.
Who is Aaron Cheatwood?
Aaron Cheatwood’s coaching journey is pretty interesting—he’s made a name for himself at different levels of football. Before landing in Norman, he was a big reason Northern Arizona’s defense became one of the Big Sky Conference’s toughest units.
His linebacker group kept churning out talent, with multiple players earning All-Big Sky honors back-to-back. Under Cheatwood, Northern Arizona finished 15th in scoring defense and 18th in total defense nationally in the FCS.
They also broke into the top 40 for rush defense. That’s nothing to sneeze at for a program of their size.
Cheatwood’s Coaching Journey
He started out coaching high school ball at Yuma Catholic in Arizona, sticking around for eight years. During that stretch, he wore a lot of hats—offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, even head coach—and guided the team to three state championships.
That kind of success tends to open doors. After high school, he spent a year as a defensive analyst at New Mexico State, then moved to the junior college circuit.
At Garden City Community College in Kansas, he started as the defensive line coach. Soon after, he was promoted to defensive coordinator before the 2021 season.
Cheatwood’s adaptability and willingness to take on new challenges have been a staple throughout his career. It’s easy to see why he’d be a valuable addition to almost any staff.
Impact on Oklahoma’s Defense
Cheatwood’s joining Oklahoma at a pretty pivotal moment. Under Venables, the defense has been on an upswing, especially after a standout 2025 season.
The Sooners finished top 10 in scoring defense, total defense, run defense, and sacks. That helped them notch a 10-3 record and land a spot in the first round of the College Football Playoff.
Building on Momentum
Venables is heading into his fifth year in Norman with a 32-20 record. The program had some rough patches with a couple of 6-7 seasons in 2022 and 2024, but things have turned around nicely.
Back-to-back 10-3 seasons in 2023 and 2025 have the Sooners looking like real contenders again. Cheatwood’s skills in defensive strategy and player development could help keep that momentum going—maybe even push it further.
Adding Cheatwood is part of a bigger plan to tighten up the defense. Not long ago, corners coach Jay Valai left for the Buffalo Bills, which left a gap.
To fill it, Venables brought in Lamar Morgan, who was Michigan’s defensive pass game coordinator and defensive backs coach, to handle the corners. With these moves, Oklahoma’s defensive staff is shaping up to be pretty formidable.
Challenges Ahead for Northern Arizona
Cheatwood leaving is a tough blow for Northern Arizona, no question. Head coach Brian Wright has led the Lumberjacks to back-to-back winning seasons, and Cheatwood was a big part of that.
Now, the challenge is finding someone who can build on what Cheatwood started. That’s not an easy task, especially with expectations as high as they are now.
Looking Forward
Northern Arizona’s search for a new defensive leader is going to be crucial. Their recent defensive rankings have set a new standard, and the pressure is on to keep that going.
As they work through this transition, the Lumberjacks will be trying to hold onto their competitive edge. That’s easier said than done, but you never know—they might surprise people.
If you want the full scoop on Cheatwood’s move to Oklahoma, check out the article on FootballScoop here.
Conclusion
Aaron Cheatwood joining Oklahoma’s coaching staff? That’s a pretty smart move by Brent Venables. It’s clear he wants to beef up that defensive unit.
Cheatwood did good work at Northern Arizona, and his coaching experience is all over the map. Oklahoma’s snagged someone who can really add something new.
Looking ahead to 2026, the Sooners seem ready to keep the momentum going. There’s a sense they’re not settling—they want more wins, more respect in college football.
On the flip side, Northern Arizona’s got a gap to fill. Losing a defensive leader isn’t easy for any team.
Still, the Lumberjacks have some solid pieces and a drive to keep pushing. The Big Sky Conference is never a cakewalk, but they won’t just roll over.
The next few months? They’ll be telling. Both programs have a lot to figure out before the season really gets rolling.
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