Brent Venables Can Finally Let Out a Sigh of Relief After the Oklahoma Sooners Did What They Haven’t Done in 307 Days

Brent Venables Can Finally Let Out a Sigh of Relief After the Oklahoma Sooners Did What They Haven’t Done in 307 Days

 

Brent Venables can finally breathe again. After 307 long days filled with scrutiny, second-guessing, and relentless pressure, the Oklahoma Sooners have finally reclaimed a feeling that once came so naturally to them: winning a Big 12 conference game.

On Saturday, the Sooners snapped their drought with a performance that was equal parts cathartic and convincing. It wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. After enduring the program’s worst conference losing streak since the John Blake era in the 1990s, Venables’ team reminded everyone why Oklahoma is still one of college football’s proudest programs.

The win ends a stretch that tested everything—Venables’ coaching philosophy, the players’ resilience, and the patience of one of the most passionate fan bases in the nation. After joining Oklahoma as the head coach in December 2021, Venables inherited the enormous expectations that come with leading a blue-blood program. The 2022 season, however, was far from the debut anyone envisioned. A string of disappointing performances, including the team’s worst-ever Red River loss to Texas, left many questioning if Venables was the right man to lead OU into its SEC future.

But this win—this long-awaited, hard-fought victory—might just be the turning point.

What made the difference? For one, the defense finally looked like a Brent Venables defense. Known for his aggressive, complex schemes during his time as Clemson’s defensive coordinator, Venables saw his unit collapse time and again last year. On Saturday, however, the Sooners’ defense swarmed the ball, forced turnovers, and showed the kind of discipline that had been missing for far too long.

On the offensive side, there was poise and rhythm. The quarterback play was efficient, the running game consistent, and the offensive line held up against pressure. Most importantly, the players looked confident—something that had been missing during the losing streak.

For Venables, the victory isn’t just about the numbers. It’s about validation. Coaching transitions are rarely smooth, especially when they involve replacing a coach like Lincoln Riley, who left for USC and took with him a Heisman-caliber quarterback and several key pieces. Venables, a defensive-minded coach in a conference known for offense, faced a steep climb from day one.

But now, the climb seems a bit more manageable.

That’s not to say the Sooners are out of the woods. One win doesn’t erase all the questions. But it gives the team—and its coach—something to build on. Confidence. Belief. Momentum.

The 307-day drought is over. And while the journey ahead remains tough, especially with the looming SEC transition, Saturday was a much-needed reminder that Oklahoma football is still capable of greatness.

And for Brent Venables, it was a sigh of relief that sounded a lot like hope.