More proof the Brent Venables narrative changed faster than anyone expected

Boy, did the college football world flip its narrative on Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables quick.

Popular X account College Football Report recently released a top-50 ranking of all head coaches in college football and had Venables at No. 21. When the same account released the same type of ranking before the 2025 season, Venables wasn't even included in the top 50.

Brent Venables ranked among top 50 college football coaches

That preseason ranking is laughable now not even considering where Venables is at. Mike Gundy was at No. 23 based on past success, but then was fired from Oklahoma State just three games into the season. There was also a lot of hope for Bill Belichick's first season at North Carolina, but it was ultimately an absolute disaster. Obviously both were not on the new set of rankings after those disastrous seasons to help make way for Venables' rise.

Obviously a lot has also changed for Venables since August, even if he actually hasn't. Venables started the 2025 season with one of the hottest seats in college football after two losing seasons in three years leading OU. Then, with his job on the line, Venables took over defensive play-calling duties and led the Sooners to the College Football Playoff after going 10-2 during the regular season thanks to having one of the best defenses in the country.

Although he was snubbed as being a finalist for any of the major national coaching awards, Venables still reasserted himself as a widely respected football coach, especially on the defensive side of the ball. The change of belief in Venables is evident on these coach rankings and just while listening to any national media discuss the Sooners compared to this time last year. Recruiting is also another obvious verification as OU has already assembled one of the top 2027 classes in the nation.