Venables Praises Stoops “Instrumental Guidance” in Coaching Journey

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics | By Reagan Harris | Last updated 7/14/22

Oklahoma enters the 2022 season with a brand-new coaching staff, but Coach Brent Venables provides a familiar face & brings a lot of excitement for the Sooners future. Venables spoke on Thursday at the Big 12 Media Days. In his interview he shared his relationship with Bob Stoops & its importance throughout his coaching journey.

“A lot of people don’t know this, but Bob Stoops recruited me out of High School to Kansas State,” Venables said when speaking on his journey to Oklahoma. “There’s a very long history, relationship, trust, & brotherhood.”

Venables was hired last year after Lincoln Riley departed for USC. Bob Stoops was an essential piece for Oklahoma during the transition. Serving as the interim head coach while OU searched for candidates. Ultimately, they landed on a former coach who was serving Clemson as the defensive coordinator. Venables had previously coached under Stoops & the Sooner program for over a decade.

“I wouldn’t be sitting here (as the Sooners Head Coach) if it weren’t for Bob Stoops,” Venables said. “On a lot of levels, but just in the whole interview process, his support — his guidance along the way was really instrumental for me.”

Venables Wants to Continue What Bob Stoops Made & Lincoln Riley Almost Destroyed

Media Days highlighted Venables & the Sooners to start the day. He continually spoke on his passion for Oklahoma & the desire to make the Sooners the powerhouse he believes they should be.

“It’s one of the true blue bloods in College Football,” Venables praised the program after speaking on Bob Stoops. “It’s a great stage, it’s an amazing program, and stands for all the right things. It embodies excellence.”

#Sooners HC Brent Venables: "I wouldn't be sitting here if it weren't for Bob Stoops." pic.twitter.com/6W1QLHMwzL

— Joe Erwin-Buettner (@JoeBuettner) July 14, 2022

The new Sooner coach has a long road ahead of him, but confidence is high in his ability to take the program far. His fiery remarks at media days excited the OU social media base. An already strong anticipation only grew with his statements as the season is nearing ever closer as we approach mid-July.

This article first appeared on Gridiron Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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