BRENT VENABLES: I’m Motivated by Relationships, Not Money, When It Comes to Staying with the Oklahoma Sooners
I’ve never chased the dollar sign. For me, it has always been about passion, people, and purpose. That’s why, when other opportunities have come knocking—some with tempting financial figures—I’ve stayed right here with the Oklahoma Sooners. I didn’t come to Norman just for a job. I came because I’ve always loved Oklahoma from the depth of my soul.
That love started long before I became the head coach. It began back in the early 2000s, when Bob Stoops brought me here as a defensive coordinator. I didn’t just find a program—I found a family. The Oklahoma standard is something you feel the moment you walk into the facility. It’s in the air at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. It’s in the eyes of the players, in the hands of the alumni, and in the hearts of the fans who bleed crimson and cream.
When I left for Clemson in 2012, it was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made. But it was necessary for growth. I sharpened my skills there, learned new dimensions of leadership, and helped build something special. Yet even in those championship moments, Oklahoma was never far from my heart. That connection never faded—it just grew stronger.
So when the call came to return, to take the reins and lead this program into a new era, I didn’t hesitate. Not because it was the most lucrative offer on the table, but because it was home. Home to my values. Home to my family. Home to everything that shaped me as a coach and as a man.
To me, coaching isn’t about the paycheck. It’s about investing in people. It’s about watching 18-year-old boys grow into men—leaders, fathers, community pillars. I want to shape lives, not just win games. I want our players to look back 10, 20, 30 years from now and remember the lessons learned in our locker room more than the scores on the scoreboard.
Sure, I’m competitive. I love to win as much as anyone. But if my only motivation were money or trophies, I’d be missing the point. The true measure of a program’s success is found in the strength of its culture. That’s why I put such an emphasis on relationships—relationships with our players, our staff, and our fans. Relationships built on trust, accountability, and love.
Some coaches are constantly looking for the next big payday or the flashiest program. That’s not me. I don’t need to be courted by every school with deep pockets. I need to be where I’m called to serve, and I know in my heart that place is Oklahoma.
It’s not always easy. We’ve faced adversity. We’ve had setbacks. But adversity reveals character, and what I see every day in our players and our coaches is character in abundance. These young men commit themselves to the process—not because we promise them luxury, but because we offer them belief. Belief in their potential. Belief in what this program stands for.
I look around at our facilities, at the upgrades we’ve made, at the direction of this athletic department under Joe Castiglione, and I feel nothing but pride. Not just because we’ve got shiny new equipment or expanded resources, but because we’re investing in something deeper. We’re building a foundation that will last long after I’m gone. And to be a part of that legacy—to shape it, to protect it—that’s a responsibility I hold sacred.
I think back to the legends who’ve worn the interlocking OU. Bud Wilkinson. Barry Switzer. Bob Stoops. This program has never been about chasing trends or gimmicks. It’s been about consistency, toughness, and pride. It’s been about doing things the right way, not the easy way.
That’s why NIL deals, coaching carousel chatter, and TV contracts don’t influence me. They’re part of the modern game, sure. But they’re not the heart of the game. For me, it always comes back to the players. I see their sweat. I hear their dreams. I feel their pain when things go wrong and their joy when we succeed. And I want to be the kind of leader who shows them what it means to stay grounded—what it means to make decisions based on principle, not profit.
My wife, Julie, and I didn’t raise our family to chase status. We raised our children to chase purpose. And in Norman, we’ve found our purpose. Whether it’s speaking at a local school, helping our players navigate life off the field, or taking a moment to enjoy a sunset on Lake Thunderbird, this community grounds us.
To the fans: I see you. I hear you. I appreciate you more than words can say. You show up in the heat, in the cold, in the wins, and in the losses. You paint this town with pride, and you’ve welcomed me and my family with open arms. That loyalty means everything. It’s one of the biggest reasons I stay. Because loyalty goes both ways.
There will always be noise. Rumors. Numbers. But you can’t put a price on love. You can’t put a price on legacy. And you sure as hell can’t put a price on Oklahoma.
So when people ask me why I’m still here, why I didn’t take that other job or listen to that big offer, my answer is simple: I stay because I believe. I stay because I care. I stay because this is where I’m meant to be.
This program still has chapters to write. Championships to chase. Lives to change. And I’m not going anywhere until we finish what we’ve started.
Oklahoma isn’t just a place. It’s a calling. And I’m pr
oud to answer it—every single day.