The Oklahoma Sooners football program is one of the most storied in collegiate history, with 130 seasons that have spanned over a century. Known for its rich tradition of success, Oklahoma has claimed numerous national championships and produced countless NFL stars. However, despite this legacy of dominance, every program faces challenges. For head coach Brent Venables, who has only been at the helm of the Sooners for a relatively short time, his tenure has already been marked by a surprising statistic: Venables is responsible for 15.4% of the program’s losing seasons, despite coaching for just 2.3% of Oklahoma’s football history.
Oklahoma’s football program has long been a beacon of success in the NCAA, and for many, the expectation is that the Sooners will remain near the top of the rankings year after year. The Sooners have accumulated 130 seasons of college football, marked by consistent excellence. Over the years, the program has seen its fair share of elite coaches, from Barry Switzer to Bob Stoops, each bringing their own brand of success. Bob Stoops, for example, guided the program to a national championship in 2000, establishing a foundation of dominance that continued into the 2010s.
However, with each coaching change, there comes a period of adjustment and rebuilding. When Venables was hired as the head coach of the Sooners in 2021, many were excited about the return of a defensive-minded coach, particularly after his success as a defensive coordinator at Clemson. Venables was brought in to replace Lincoln Riley, who left for USC after leading the program to multiple Big 12 championships and playoff appearances. While Riley’s offense-heavy approach helped Oklahoma thrive offensively, the defense struggled to reach the same level of dominance, something Venables was hired to fix.
Venables’ first season as Oklahoma’s head coach in 2022 was filled with challenges, and the team posted a disappointing 6-7 record, including a blowout loss in the Texas Bowl to the Florida State Seminoles. This was Oklahoma’s first losing season since 1998 and only its second in the last 25 years. Although Venables inherited a program in transition, and his emphasis on rebuilding the defense was clear, the season’s poor results were difficult to ignore.
This losing season was a sharp contrast to the expectations surrounding Venables’ arrival. For a program with a reputation for excellence, a 6-7 finish was an outlier that quickly became a point of focus for critics and fans alike. But despite the struggles in his first season, Venables and his staff have vowed to build the program back to its previous level of success. The road to recovery has been a bumpy one, but one that has included several significant strides in recruiting and developing talent, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
Given that Venables has been with the program for only two full seasons, it’s noteworthy that he is responsible for such a large percentage of Oklahoma’s losing seasons—15.4%. When considering that Oklahoma has played 130 seasons, that means that roughly 20 of those seasons have ended with a losing record. For Venables to account for over 15% of them, even in a short tenure, is a reflection of the tough start he’s had at the helm.
While it may seem like a surprising statistic, it’s important to recognize the unique circumstances surrounding his tenure. Oklahoma is in a period of transition, with Venables trying to implement a new philosophy, revamp a defense that had long been a weak point, and adjust to the departure of a coach like Lincoln Riley, who left behind a high-powered offensive system. Venables’ focus on defense and building a balanced team is a long-term project, and in the short term, the results may not always be immediate.
While Venables’ record may be a cause for concern in the immediate term, it’s crucial to remember that building a successful football program takes time. The first few seasons of a new coach’s tenure often involve growing pains, especially when a program is undergoing a shift in philosophy and culture. Venables’ focus on defense and instilling a tough, physical brand of football in Oklahoma is a long-term strategy, and it’s one that could pay dividends in the coming years.
The 2023 season offered signs of improvement, with Oklahoma showing more consistency and beginning to find success with Venables’ system in place. Recruiting has also seen a significant uptick, particularly with the Sooners preparing for their transition into the SEC, where the level of competition will increase. This move will require the program to continue adapting, and Venables’ ability to recruit, develop talent, and build a defense capable of competing at the highest level will be crucial.
In the grand scheme of Oklahoma football history, two seasons under Brent Venables represents a small fraction of the program’s 130-year legacy. While his record so far may be a blemish on an otherwise storied tenure for the Sooners, it’s important to keep in mind that the program is in the midst of a major transition. Venables, with his defensive expertise and commitment to rebuilding, remains one of the most respected figures in college football. With the right recruits and continued development, he has the opportunity to guide Oklahoma back to the upper echelons of college football, restoring the pride and tradition of a program that has experienced more than its fair share of success over the years.
Venables’ time at Oklahoma is still in its infancy, and the future looks promising. What may appear as a rough start could ultimately be the foundation for the next great era in Sooners football.