It was late November 2021, on a Sunday afternoon, when Oklahoma fans' eyes darted to their illuminated screens and saw the news: Lincoln Riley had left Oklahoma to take the head coach job at USC. He had left Norman in the night with no warning, cementing the event as one of the most shameful moves in college football history. Thus began the first real coaching search since 1998 for Oklahoma football, resulting in the hire of former OU defensive coordinator Brent Venables.
There is a narrative out there that Venables has been inconsistent heading into Year 5 as OU's head coach. Just looking at OU’s record over the past four years would certainly support that notion. But as we all know, numbers can only tell us part of the story. In 2022, a move to the SEC loomed on the horizon, and Venables was left to pick up the pieces of a program in shambles.
Read more: Brent Venables just exposed how broken Oklahoma football really was under Lincoln Riley
Any coach coming into that situation would not be expected to hit the ground running. Scrambling to recruit players, convincing others to stay with the program, filling out a coaching staff, etc. A tall order for a first-time head coach. Venables and the Sooners finished 6-7 that year. Despite a blowout loss to Texas, one could simply shrug their shoulders and say, “Well, what did you expect?”
In 2023, OU fans could see the vision. There was a marked improvement on both sides of the ball, and the Sooners finished 10-2 in the regular season, earning a trip to the Alamo Bowl. There was hope in the program again. That hope manifested on the game-winning drive to beat No. 3 Texas 34-30. Venables was building something in Norman.
In June of that year, Venables' wife, Julie, was diagnosed with breast cancer. She received two surgeries that year. In March 2024, she was declared cancer-free. Two months later in May, the cancer had returned. Venables was trying to lead the Sooners into their inaugural season in the SEC, all the while his wife was fighting one of the hardest battles one can face: cancer. A loved one fighting cancer has resounding effects on everything around them. No one is immune, even a football coach.
In 2024, OU finished the season 6-7. All the while, Julie was fighting cancer. “Her spirit and her strength is nothing short of amazing.” Venables said then. It would be irresponsible to say Julie’s battle with cancer did not have a profound effect on Venables and the Sooners' performance. While disappointing, that season is not an example of coaching failure or inconsistency; it is an example of enduring through hardship. A commendable feat to say the least.
Sooners getting back on track under Brent Venables
Last year felt like the arrival moment for Venables and his Sooners. Despite struggles offensively, Venables' defense was one of the best in the country and helped the team end its regular season 10-2, earning wins at Tennessee and at Alabama, resulting in a home playoff game. Oklahoma is a title contender, and last year the Sooners earned their way back into the race.
This narrative of Venables being inconsistent at Oklahoma is not an honest argument given the context. The foundations have been laid down at Oklahoma based on overcoming adversity. The culture has undergone a complete shift. Violent football has returned to Norman. The ship has finally been steadied, and college football should be worried if Oklahoma gets some wind in its sails.
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