In a recent interview on the Oklahoma Breakdown podcast, OU head coach Brent Venables discussed the importance of retaining players in this new era of college football. In the current state of college football, players come and go through universities like tornadoes in the spring. Some teams have made it a point to rely heavily on the Transfer Portal and inject a large roster of new and important players to every year's team. At Oklahoma, Venables has made a strong effort to go in a different direction.
Oklahoma has been using the Transfer Portal effectively for the last several seasons, showing marked improvement every year. Notable Transfer Portal acquisitions have included wide receiver Isaiah Satenga, quarterback John Mateer, wide receiver Deion Burks and many others.
The difference in Oklahoma’s approach can be seen after these players finish their first season, as all the aforementioned players returned to OU for another year. Across the country, players are leaving for more money and more opportunity every time the portal opens. Venables and his staff are ensuring that players at Oklahoma stick around for the long-term.
Sooners emphasizing retainment over transfer additions
Venables and the OU coaching staff have made a conscious effort to establish relationships with the players and invest in their development. This may sound common sense to college football fans of the past, but in this current era, where Ohio State spends a reported $20 million to win a national championship and Lane Kiffin’s LSU has spent $40 million on their roster this year, money seems to be the No. 1 factor. Not for Oklahoma.
“That was something that we made a priority," Venables said. “Constantly creating vision and affirmation for the guys, I think, is incredibly important. In an anxious world, in an anxious environment, they have a peace about them.”
Venables and his staff are creating an environment focused on relationships. While many coaches across the country will claim the same, it is evident that the Oklahoma coaching staff is accomplishing the task.
Players are remaining loyal to the program and are being rewarded for it. Simply put, Oklahoma is investing its money in the right guys, and the results are beginning to show on the football field. As a result, this upcoming season, Venables will have perhaps his most talented and veteran roster of program guys.
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