EXCLUSIVE: Brent Venables Reaffirms His Loyalty to Oklahoma Sooners: “There Is No Going Back, I Will Be With Them All Through the End”
In a bold and heartfelt declaration that will echo through the halls of Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium for years to come, Oklahoma Sooners head football coach Brent Venables has reaffirmed his unwavering loyalty to the program he once helped build and now leads with pride. Speaking exclusively to us this weekend, Venables issued a powerful statement of intent amid swirling speculation about potential coaching offers from other elite programs and even the NFL.
“There is no going back,” Venables said firmly, eyes locked in. “I will be with them all through the end. I love this university, I love these players, and we’ve only just begun to scratch the surface of what we can do together.”
Planting Roots in Norman—Again
For Venables, this isn’t just a coaching job—it’s home. He first arrived in Norman in 1999 as a co-defensive coordinator under Bob Stoops, helping lay the foundation for Oklahoma’s 2000 national championship and the dominant run that followed. After a decade of success and another national title run at Clemson as defensive coordinator, his return to Oklahoma as head coach in 2021 was more than a career move—it was a calling.
“This place shaped me as a coach and as a man,” Venables reflected. “When I came back, I knew the expectations. I knew the standard. And I embraced every ounce of it.”
Under Venables, the Sooners have undergone a massive culture shift—built on discipline, development, and defense. Despite a challenging first season, Oklahoma has since shown signs of ascending once again to national prominence, including top-tier recruiting classes and renewed competitiveness in the Big 12 and now, the SEC.
Rumors Quashed: “I’m Not Going Anywhere”
In recent months, rumors had swirled around Venables being courted by powerhouse programs, including reported interest from Alabama and Florida State, and even quiet NFL feelers from teams like the Dallas Cowboys and Atlanta Falcons. Some wondered if the Sooners’ move to the SEC would prove too volatile a transition for the still-growing program. But Venables has shut those whispers down emphatically.
“There are a lot of good jobs out there, but there’s only one Oklahoma,” he said. “And for me, there’s no greener pasture. I’m not going anywhere.”
He continued: “I’m not here to build a résumé—I’m here to build a legacy. I’m here to give these young men the tools to win on and off the field, and to give this fanbase everything it deserves.”
Building Something Bigger Than Football
Venables’ loyalty is about more than titles and trophies. He has made community engagement, player development, and academic accountability central to his leadership. He’s been instrumental in building Oklahoma’s SOUL Mission (Serving Our Uncommon Legacy), which emphasizes personal growth, faith, and family values among his players.
“We’re not just building a team—we’re building men,” Venables emphasized. “If we do that right, the wins will come.”
His players have taken notice. Team leaders like quarterback Jackson Arnold and linebacker Kip Lewis have praised Venables’ energy, consistency, and open-door approach.
“He’s 100% real with us,” said Arnold. “He’s not just talking at us—he’s walking the walk every single day.”
Eyes Set on the SEC Gauntlet
As Oklahoma prepares for its full entrance into the SEC, the most competitive conference in college football, Venables remains both realistic and relentlessly optimistic.
“We’re stepping into a league that’s built on toughness, execution, and tradition. That excites me,” he said. “We’ve got the players, the facilities, and now the mindset to compete with anyone.”
The Sooners’ 2025 schedule is among the most grueling in the country, including matchups with Georgia, LSU, Texas, and Alabama. But Venables sees opportunity in the challenge.
“Pressure is a privilege,” he said. “It means people expect great things. And so do we.”
A Message to Sooner Nation
Perhaps the most powerful moment of the conversation came when Venables turned his message directly to the Sooner faithful:
“To our fans—thank you for your belief, your support, and your passion. You are the heartbeat of this program. I want you to know this: I’m all in. I’ve planted my flag here. I will fight for this program, this school, and this state until my last snap as head coach.”
He paused, then added, “I won’t promise perfection, but I promise we will never stop working, never stop believing, and never stop fighting to make you proud.”
Legacy in Progress
Brent Venables’ legacy at Oklahoma is far from finished. But one thing is clear: he isn’t planning to leave that legacy incomplete. In an era where loyalty can be fleeting, and contracts can be bought out with the stroke of a pen, Venables is choosing something different. He’s choosing commitment. He’s choosing the long road. He’s choosing Oklahoma.
“There is no going back,” he reiterated. “This is it for me. This is where I’m meant to be.”
As the Sooners continue their climb back into the national spotlight, they’ll do so with a head coach who believes in them as much as they believe in him. And in the heartland o
f college football, that kind of loyalty still matters.