Getting offensive coordinator position right will largely determine Brent Venables' OU future

There have always been skeptics who questioned if Brent Venables would be able to step outside of his comfort zone and mastery of defensive football to lead a complete college football program, especially one with as high standards as exist at Oklahoma.

When he was hired away from Clemson, where for 10 seasons he was responsible for one of the best defensive teams in college football, to lead an Oklahoma team that was left in shock and disarray by the sudden departure of Lincoln Riley, Venables inherited a team that was in decline, especially on the defensive side.

The soon-to-be 54-year-old former Oklahoma defensive coordinator and now head coach struggled through his first season back at OU, finishing with a 6-7 overall record, Oklahoma's first losing season since 1998, but still managed to take the Sooners to a bowl game. The following season was a marked improvement, as OU completed its second season under Venables and final one as a member of the Big 12 going 10-3 and finishing the season ranked No. 15 in the final Associated Press Top-25 poll.

The 2024 college football season has been filled with adversity for Venables and the Oklahoma football team. The troubles and struggles have been well documented, and the Sooners will have much to address in the offseason. But the focus for now is to continue to do the preparation and game planning and try to finish the season strong against a couple of formidable opponents in No. 10 Alabama and at No. 22 LSU.

As the popular saying goes, it's not that you got knocked down, but how you respond to the situation that matters most, and that's the fans and other interested parties are going to be watching that will largely determine Venables future as head coach at Oklahoma.

Looming large on the offseason to-do list, which includes personnel decisions regarding the roster and staff as well as retention of the commits in the 2025 and 2026 recruiting classes, is procuring the best candidate and right fit to fill the offensive coordinator position. That position has been a giant albatross on the sluggish Sooner offense all season.

On Tuesday this week, both Oklahoma Joes -- president Harroz and athletic director Castiglione -- gave Venables a public vote of confidence in talking with reporters following a meeting of the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents.

"It's unwavering right now." Harroz said. "We know it's been a tough season. I've been around Oklahoma football for a long time. We have the right coach. This is our coach."

"We truly believe in Coach Venables and our team," Castiglione said. "We are completely focused on supporting them and looking at all the ways to address the needed improvements now as soon as possible as well as in preparation for next year."

I am reminded of something former Oklahoma offensive coordinator Mark Mangino said after the Sooners' disappointing 2022 season under Venables: If they (Oklahoma officials) elect to get rid of Venables too early (in his tenure), Mangino said, it will be a huge mistake and one that will come back to bite them.

Mangino, of course, won't have the final word. For the most part, that will rest with Venables and the forthcoming decisions and choices he will have to make.

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