Brent Venables goes in-depth into his decision to leave Clemson for Oklahoma

Big 12 football media day is upon us, giving us our first look into the programs as they prepare for the upcoming 2022 season. During the event, the Oklahoma Sooners new head coach, Brent Venables, spoke about his team and their expectations for the year. He also went in-depth into his decision to leave Clemson for Oklahoma.

“I learned a long time ago, from Bill Snyder, the grass isn’t greener and I always believe that. He said it and I believe that; I wrote it down and it was in my coaching bible 101. To be great in any profession, I believe wholeheartedly, try to be great right where you’re at,” started Venables.

After Venables arrived at Clemson in 2012, He helped cement them as a defensive power in the ACC. Under Venables, the Tigers defense was at the top of the college football rankings in multiple categories. It also produced several top-end defenders like Shaq Lawson, Grady Jarrett, Vic Beasley, Christian Wilkins, Isaiah Simmons, and AJ Terrell.

The question still stands: What about the Oklahoma opportunity that made Venables believe it was the right time to move on from Clemson? Well, according to the new Sooners headman, he never really left Oklahoma in the first place.

“This was a very special opportunity for me. Oklahoma has been near dear to my heart. I left in a very emotional state when I left Kansas State to come to Oklahoma. But my last words to coach Schneider, I wanted an opportunity to coach at a place like Oklahoma. And so it’s a special place. It’s the winningest program in the modern era. (Has won) the most conference championships in the history of college football with 50. The only program since 2000 that has not had a losing season in the Power-5. Winning is very hard but being consistently at the top of your game is even harder, and Oklahoma has exemplified.”

Before taking the defensive coordinator position at Clemson under Dabo Sweeney, Venables spent 13 years at Oklahoma under Bob Stoops. During that time, he laid down roots within the community, which made it his forever home. And even as a member of the Tigers coaching staff, Venables had Oklahoma in his heart. Now that he’s back, he will be in the driver’s seat of continuing the Sooners’ level of excellence in college football.

“This place has a standard of excellence that takes a backseat to nobody. So, to have an opportunity to become the head coach at a place that is near and dear to my heart, where all four of my children were born here; I’ve been very invested in the community in Norman, in the university, and in that football program. Still have great, great relationships my life’s always been about the people but Oklahoma is a special place. And so, when everything got right, and I knew that I was going to be supported the way that I feel like I needed to be a successful head coach, it was a no-brainer. It’s a slam dunk.”

Venables and Oklahoma appear to be a perfect match. The only question is will it result in wins at the highest level and, ultimately, a national championship. Only time will tell for that part of the story. But for now, Sooners fans can take comfort in knowing they have a coach that is fully invested in the program and the community.