Staff Directory

Miguel Chavis

Title:
Defensive Ends

Coaching Notes and Accomplishments
• Named Oklahoma’s defensive ends coach on Dec. 17, 2021.

• Chavis (CHAY-viss) was part of a 2025 defensive staff that helped the Sooners lead the nation in sacks (3.5 per game) and tackles for loss (9.4 per contest) in 2025. OU also ranked third nationally in rushing defense (77.3 ypg; led SEC) and third-down defense (28.2%), sixth in total defense (272.5 ypg) and seventh in scoring defense (15.5 ppg). Senior R Mason Thomas, a first-team All-SEC pick and second-team All-American who racked up 6.5 sacks and 9.5 TFLs in his 10 games, became OU’s highest defensive end selection in the NFL Draft since 1996 when he went to Kansas City in the 2026 second round. Fellow end Taylor Wein led the Sooners with 7.0 sacks and 15.0 tackles for loss to earn second-team All-SEC honors as a redshirt sophomore.

• In 2024, his defensive ends helped OU rank 19th nationally in total defense (318.2 ypg), 24th in rushing defense (115.1 ypg), 29th in scoring defense (21.5 ppg), 36th in takeaways (21) and sixth in fumbles recovered (12). Thomas earned second-team All-SEC recognition after leading the team with 9.0 sacks (tied for fifth in SEC) and 12.5 tackles for loss.

• Part of a 2023 Oklahoma defensive staff that helped the Sooners rank second in interceptions (20) and seventh in tackles for loss per game (7.5). Junior defensive end Ethan Downs earned second-team All-Big 12 honors after leading the team with 4.5 sacks for the second straight year.

• Part of a 2022 Oklahoma defensive staff that helped the Sooners tie for fourth nationally in tackles for loss (104) and seventh in interceptions (17). Downs earned second-team All-Big 12 honors after ranking fourth in the Big 12 Conference with 13.5 tackles for loss and tying for the team lead with 4.5 sacks.

• Spent five years (2017-21) at Clemson (under current OU head coach and then-Tigers defensive coordinator Brent Venables) in a defensive player development role. In that position, he contributed on defensive staffs that helped Clemson reach four College Football Playoffs and win the 2018 national championship.

• Working with Clemson’s defensive line, assisted in the off-field development of 2019 NFL Draft picks Clelin Ferrell, Christian Wilkins, Dexter Lawrence and Austin Bryant. Ferrell (No. 4 overall), Wilkins (No. 13 overall) and Lawrence (No. 17 overall) were each selected in the first round while Bryant was a fourth-round pick.

As a Player
• A Fayetteville, N.C., native, he was a defensive tackle at Clemson from 2007-10 and totaled 71 tackles in 47 games.

• Helped the Tigers to four bowl games and the 2009 ACC Atlantic Division title before spending two years in professional football.

• Signed a free-agent contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2011 before spending 2012 with the UFL’s Las Vegas Locos and the 2013 offseason with the Kansas City Chiefs.

• Received his bachelor’s degree from Clemson in 2014 and went into the seminary before joining Clemson’s football staff.