Brent Venables helped a first-time SEC coach ahead of the 2026 season
As the 2026 college football season approaches, it's no secret that managing the responsibilities of a head coach while leading a top-notch defense is a daunting task. One coach who has mastered this balance is Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables, and he's been willing to share his expertise with others.
Venables has spent his career building elite defenses, and Oklahoma's recent success has shown the value of his direct involvement. However, he's not new to this challenge. When Venables first took over as head coach, Ted Roof called the plays defensively. It's been rumored that Venables took over play calling in Year 2, but nothing has been confirmed on that front. Then in Year 3, he hired Zac Alley to call the defense. Alley left after one season to become the defensive coordinator for the West Virginia Mountaineers. So, Venables returned to calling the defense.
Venables' ability to balance his responsibilities as a head coach while still leading the defense has earned respect throughout the SEC, including from Ole Miss Rebels head coach Pete Golding. Golding faced a similar transition after serving as Ole Miss' defensive coordinator before being promoted to head coach following the regular season. During SEC media days, Golding revealed that Venables was the first person he reached out to for advice on managing both roles.
"He was my first phone call," Golding said via OU Nightly. "There's so much respect for him and the job that he's done… I knew that he had been through it. Didn't do it in Year 1 and did it in Year 2. Brought in the protege and didn't do it in Year 3… He's like, 'look, man, nobody's going to call it like you. It's your system. You've done a great job.'"
The fact that coaches like Golding are turning to Venables for advice shows the level of respect he has earned across college football. Venables' ability to adapt to different situations and share his knowledge with others will undoubtedly continue to serve him well in his career.
The 2026 college football season is now just around the corner, and it will be interesting to see how Venables and the Oklahoma Sooners perform. With their elite defense and experienced head coach, they will certainly be a force to be reckoned with in the SEC.
Source: Yahoo Sports