Stormin in Norman
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Brent Venables names defensive coordinator, four other staff retentions

By Chip Rouse

NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 9: The Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, home of the Oklahoma Sooners, is ready for a game against the Iowa State Cyclones on November 9, 2019 at in Norman, Oklahoma. OU held on to win 42-41. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 9: The Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, home of the Oklahoma Sooners, is ready for a game against the Iowa State Cyclones on November 9, 2019 at in Norman, Oklahoma. OU held on to win 42-41. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
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Not even a full week has gone by, but new Oklahoma football coach has added two new coordinators and filled five other staff positions.

On Friday, Venables named longtime defensive guru Ted Roof defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.

Roof was a Clemson defensive analyst last season, working with Venables. He has spent 35 years in college coaching and has led defenses at Georgia Tech, Duke, Minnesota, Auburn, UCF, Penn State, North Carolina State, Vanderbilt and Appalachian State. He was the head coach at Duke from 2004-07.

From 2008 to 2020, Roof’s defensive units held opponents to 110 or fewer yards rushing 57 times and the teams he coached for were 48-9 in those games.

His final season as defensive coordinator at Auburn, the Tigers were a perfect 14-0 and won the BCS national championship. In 2019, when Roof was at Appalachian State, the Mountaineers were 13-1, finished 19th in the final Associated Press rankings and led the nation in defensive touchdowns.

“Ted is one of the most experienced coordinators and one of the best teachers in all of college football,, and he’s done it in some of the premier conferences in the sport,” Venables said in a press release issued by the OU athletic department.

“He has a tremendous wealth of knowledge and experience, most of which has been in the southeastern part of the country, where he is very well connected.”

Earlier this week, Jeff Lebby, former offensive coordinator at Ole Miss, was named OU offensive coordinator. About his new offensive coordinator, Venables said: “He may be the hottest offensive coordinator in college football. He’s going to bring a dynamic and diverse system that will take advantage of our playmakers. He’s one of the best when it comes to game planning and attacking defenses with his smart and aggressive style.”

Both appear to be excellent hires and good fits at Oklahoma under Venables, who himself for the past decade has been recognized as one of the best defensive minds in college football.

In addition, Venables announced the retention if existing staff assistants Cale Gundy (inside receivers), Bill Bedenbaugh (offensive line), DeMarco Murray (running backs) and Joe Jon Finley (tight ends and H-backs)

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