Oklahoma hires familiar face as HC; Venables gets the job

By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher 

The Oklahoma Sooners have turned to a familiar face to replace Lincoln Riley. Brent Venables has been the new head football coach. 

He was most recently the Clemson Tigers assistant head coach and defensive coordinator. Venables has been employed by the Tigers since 2012 when he was hired away from Oklahoma. 

Riley took a massive deal to become the USC Trojans head coach. This will be Venables first head coaching opportunity. 

“This is an incredibly special opportunity,” Venables said. “Julie and I and our family are extremely grateful for the belief in us — and certainly in me — to be the next head coach at Oklahoma, one of the winningest and most tradition-rich programs in college football history. Our memories from Norman, where all four of our children were born, have been nothing but great. We’re looking forward to making another decade-plus of incredible memories as we transition to a new era of Oklahoma football, especially with the opportunity and the challenge to join the SEC, the premier conference in all of college football. 

“Joe Castiglione, President Harroz [Joseph Harroz Jr.] and the Board of Regents have given us incredible support that equals the best of the best in our sport. There’s no question we are equipped to compete at the very highest level and attract the best players from across the country. The OU logo has never been stronger.”

The 50-year-old returns to Oklahoma, where he worked from 1999 through 2011. Venables was the team’s defensive coordinator during his tenure. 

He will take over the program after the Sooners upcoming Bowl game. Oklahoma will be coached by Bob Stoops, who previously served as a head coach with Venables as defensive coordinator, will serve as the interim head coach for the Valero Alamo Bowl against the Oregon Ducks. 

“This is a truly great day for Oklahoma — our program, our current players, former players, recruits, and fans,” Sooners Vice President abs Athletics Director Joe Castiglione said. “Coach Venables is a proven winner who over the years has helped his teams earn 13 conference championships and three national titles, and has developed one of the country’s consistently best defenses. A born leader, he helped build and sustain an exceptional culture during his 13 years here at Oklahoma and his 10 seasons at Clemson. He has a track record of establishing meaningful relationships with his players and preparing them for the next level. 

“Brent embraces competition and the challenges that come with it, and there is no doubt in my mind he is the right man to lead OU football into its next great era. We couldn’t be more excited for Brent to return to OU as our head coach and for him, his wife Julie, and their children Jake, Tyler, Laney, and Addie to call Norman home again.”