Oklahoma football coach Brent Venables was in front of a mic for the first time since OU athletic director Joe Castiglione announced his plans to retire, so Venables immediately took advantage of the opportunity to congratulate his boss.
Venables on Wednesday began his opening statement on the stage at SEC Media Days by acknowledging his AD's recent announcement. Venables said he was out of town when Castiglione called him to inform him of his retirement so missed Castiglione's press conference and wanted to take the time now.
"As I begin today, I'd like to just publicly both congratulate and thank Joe and his lovely wife Kristen for 28 years of impeccable leadership that he's provided to so many, the love the passion, the sacrifice and the dedication to the entire University of Oklahoma community and the city of Norman," Venables said. "I always said that you had a life that matters when you matter to other people, and Joe, you certainly have mattered."
Venables congratulated his athletic director at SEC Media Days
Castiglione earlier this month officially announced his plans to retire as OU's athletic director. He will step down from the role once his replacement is found this academic year, then serve as Emeritus Athletics Director before fully retiring on June 30, 2028.
Before Venables took the stage at SEC Media Days, he met with a group of local reporters and also acknowledged Castiglione then.
"What more can you say? He’s been at the top of the food chain for a long time,” Venables said. “Nobody’s done it better than Joe Castiglione. What he’s done is unprecedented in every way, the level of success, certainly, I think (more than) 50 % of the national championships in Oklahoma history have been done under his tenure. That doesn’t happen by accident.”
Venables was hired by Castiglione in 2022 to replace Lincoln Riley after a shocking move. Venables was the third football coach Castiglione had to hire for OU. Castiglione also hired Bob Stoops, who initially brought Venables to Norman and became the winningest coach in program history.
Stoops hired Venables in 1999 as co-defensive coordinator. Venables was part of the staff in 2000 when the Sooners won a national championship the last time. Venables was then at OU until leaving to become Clemson's defensive coordinator in 2012 before eventually returning to be the head coach.
Venables has struggled in his three seasons leading the Sooners, though, with two losing records. OU was 6-7 last year, so Venables enters 2025 on the hot seat. If the Sooners struggle again, Venables' future with OU could either be Castiglione's final move or the first major decision the next AD has to make.
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