As Sooner fans know all too well over the past week, when a coach arrives to take over a new team, he is also leaving another team. Brent Venables returns to Norman after serving as Defensive Coordinator for the Clemson Tigers since 2012, a timespan covering two National Championships.
A very popular coach, the Clemson players and staff have high praise for BV. From the official Clemson Athletics site:
STATEMENT FROM HEAD COACH DABO SWINNEY:
“I am super excited for Brent and Julie and the entire Venables family. Man, he’s not only been a great co-worker and defensive coordinator, but he’s been a great friend.
“I’m so excited for this opportunity for him. He’s been very patient. He’s had many opportunities along the way. This was just the right fit for him and the right time with a lot of familiarity for him at Oklahoma. I know he is well-prepared. It’s been fun for me to watch him really grow since 2012, and I’m excited for Oklahoma because they’re not only getting a good coach, they’re also getting a great man who is going to do it the right way.
“His hiring is a great compliment to our program and to all the great players that we’ve had. I’m going to miss him, but at the same time, I’m also excited about moving forward here and the great opportunity ahead. Today is a great day for Brent and his family and a great day for Oklahoma, and the entire Clemson Family and I are proud of — and thankful for — his 10 years here and the lives he impacted in the process.”
What Clemson Players Say about Venables
Several of Venables former players shared comments on social medial after the news broke:
What Venables Says about Clemson and Swinney
19 Days Til Christmas
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