GOOD NEWS: Brent Venables Vows to Stay Loyal and Committed to Oklahoma Sooners Football
In a college football landscape increasingly defined by volatility, coaching changes, and opportunistic career moves, Brent Venables is choosing a different path—loyalty.
The Oklahoma Sooners head coach reaffirmed his commitment to the university and its football program this week, publicly declaring that he has no intentions of leaving Norman. In a time when fan bases constantly live in fear of losing their head coach to the next lucrative offer, Venables’ vow of loyalty is a breath of fresh air—and a firm statement of purpose.
A Resounding Pledge
Speaking at a press conference ahead of Oklahoma’s spring practices, Venables didn’t mince words when asked about his future with the Sooners. “This is home,” he said. “Oklahoma is not just a job to me—this is where I started, where I grew, and where I want to keep building. I’m not going anywhere.”
The 54-year-old coach’s declaration comes amid speculation that other major programs were quietly gauging his interest, especially after his strong rebound in the 2024 season. But Venables dismissed the chatter outright, emphasizing that his vision for Oklahoma football is long-term and unfinished.
“Every coach is going to get calls. That’s part of the profession,” he acknowledged. “But I didn’t come back to Oklahoma to build something temporary. I came back to create something lasting.”
A Full-Circle Journey
Venables’ connection to Oklahoma runs deep. He served as co-defensive coordinator and later defensive coordinator under Bob Stoops from 1999 to 2011. During that span, the Sooners won a national championship and remained a perennial powerhouse.
After a decade-long stint at Clemson as defensive coordinator under Dabo Swinney—where he won two more national titles—Venables returned to Norman in December 2021 as head coach. His first season (2022) was rocky, ending with a disappointing 6–7 record, but he rebounded sharply in 2023 and 2024, showing steady progress in rebuilding the program with toughness, discipline, and defense-first identity.
The SEC Challenge Ahead
Loyalty in the face of challenges means more, and Venables is doubling down just as Oklahoma faces one of its toughest transitions in recent history: a move to the SEC. The Sooners officially join the Southeastern Conference in the 2025 season, marking a new chapter that will bring them face-to-face with perennial juggernauts like Alabama, Georgia, LSU, and Texas A&M.
“This next step into the SEC is exactly why I want to be here,” Venables said. “We’re not afraid of competition. We embrace it. That’s the Oklahoma way.”
He noted that the move will require more than talent—it will demand continuity, culture, and belief. “It’s not just about Xs and Os,” he added. “It’s about having people who believe in the mission, who stick together through thick and thin.”
Winning Back the Faith
Venables’ early tenure was met with skepticism by a portion of the fan base who feared the program might lose its identity post-Lincoln Riley. But the coach has slowly won back trust—not just with on-field results, but with transparency, fire, and an unrelenting belief in player development.
He’s also built strong relationships with recruits and their families, something that he said further reinforces his commitment. “How can I ask a 17-year-old kid to give me their loyalty if I can’t offer mine in return?” he asked. “When I sit in living rooms and tell parents that I’ll be here for their son’s journey, I mean it.”
Recruiting Momentum
Venables’ vow of loyalty may also give Oklahoma an edge on the recruiting trail, especially as the Sooners battle SEC rivals for elite talent. Stability at the head coach position is often a decisive factor for high school prospects—and Venables knows it.
His 2025 recruiting class is already off to a strong start, and his commitment message could further solidify Oklahoma’s position among the nation’s top programs.
“We’re not just recruiting players,” Venables said. “We’re recruiting families, character, commitment, and a belief in what Oklahoma stands for. That takes time—and I’m here for the long haul.”
The Program’s Backbone
University leadership is backing him as well. Athletic Director Joe Castiglione praised Venables for not only turning the program around but also for anchoring it with integrity.
“In a profession where people chase the next big opportunity, Brent has shown that he’s chasing something more meaningful,” Castiglione said. “He believes in Oklahoma, and we believe in him.”
Players have echoed those sentiments. Junior linebacker Kip Lewis said Venables’ loyalty is “something you can feel in the locker room.”
“He doesn’t just talk about brotherhood—he lives it,” Lewis said. “You know he’s going to fight for you, and that makes us fight for him.”
Not Just a Coach, a Builder
Venables has embraced a role that goes beyond wins and losses. He sees himself as a culture builder, a mentor, and a torchbearer for the Oklahoma tradition. In a sense, he’s trying to create a legacy in Norman that reflects not just his football acumen, but his core values.
“You don’t just coach football at Oklahoma,” he said. “You carry the weight of legends, the expectations of a state, and the dreams of every young kid who wants to wear the crimson and cream. That’s not a burden. That’s a blessing.”
Eyes on 2025 and Beyond
With SEC play looming and a renewed sense of unity within the program, the Sooners are poised to enter a defining era. And Brent Venables wants to lead them through it—not just as a coach, but as a committed steward of Oklahoma football.
“To me, this is a calling,” he said. “The journey’s just getting started.”
For Sooner fans everywhere, the message is clear: Bren
t Venables is here to stay—and that may be the best win of all.