Former Oklahoma Sooners offensive coordinator confident in Brent Venables' ability to turn things around due to three simple things
During his time with the Oklahoma Sooners, current Mississippi State head coach Jeff Lebby spent plenty of time around Brent Venables. Lebby played for the Sooners while Venables was on staff, and later on, Venables hired Lebby as his first offensive coordinator when he assumed the mantle as head coach of the Sooners. After a […]
During his time with the Oklahoma Sooners, current Mississippi State head coach Jeff Lebby spent plenty of time around Brent Venables.
Lebby played for the Sooners while Venables was on staff, and later on, Venables hired Lebby as his first offensive coordinator when he assumed the mantle as head coach of the Sooners.
After a disastrous 2024 season, the pressure is on for Venables to turn things around.
At SEC Media Days, Lebby expressed his confidence in Venables based on three ideals.
"Toughness. Consistency. Conviction. He is going to be very, very true to his process. He is the same man every single day, not letting results dictate who’s going to show up in the building every day. Those are the things to me that are going to create stability and help them down the road.”
It's hard to argue that those ideals don't perfectly embody who Brent Venables is as both a leader and person. He's a no-nonsense coach who has confidence in his abilities and faith and never wavers in his beliefs. He never compromises and is always quick to assume blame instead of pointing fingers.
We've already seen this play out for the Sooners under Venables. After a poor opening season in 2022, Venables stuck to his guns and held firm on his way to a resurgent 10-3 season the following season with Lebby by his side, calling the plays.
Now, he has to embrace the challenge again in order to right the ship for the Sooners.
It's abundantly clear that the players will battle their hearts out for Venables. As a leader, I dare say he's certainly one of the strongest the Sooners have ever had lead their team. I wrote about this after their win over Alabama.
"This season has been rife with struggles, and it's felt like at times Murphy's Law had taken a sledgehammer to the Sooners. Whether it was injuries, the quarterback play, the offensive coordinator struggles, or turnovers, Oklahoma's 2024 season has been, in many ways, the worst in what feels like a decade. That was just on the field. Off the field, players battled an irate fanbase, confidence issues, their own injuries, and a shuffling of coaches in meetings. The one thing that never left this team? Their belief in Brent Venables. Venables has dealt with his wife's battle against cancer since May and still found a way to be there for his team every week. Win or loss, Venables owned it all and put himself in the line of fire for his team. They paid him back tonight."
If there is a coach who can lead the Sooners through these tough times, it's Venables. Jeff Lebby's example is a testament to who Brent Venables is, and why the Sooners feel like they are in good hands moving forward.
