Brent Venables right man, at right time to reenergize Oklahoma’s recruiting

Brent Venables to Oklahoma is exactly the bolt of energy the Sooners need to take its recruiting efforts off of life support.

Venables, Clemson’s longtime defensive coordinator, has been hired as Oklahoma’s new head coach, according to FOX Sports’ Bruce Feldman.

Simply put, Venables is one of the best recruiters in college football over the past 25 years. His track record recruiting against the best of the best during his time K-State, Oklahoma and Clemson is matched by few in the game.

Over the years, he’s recruited more than 20 five-star prospects. He’s signed dozens and dozens of four-star recruits. Venables has also unearthed hidden gems like lightly recruited but now NFL star Isaiah Simmons.

After spending 13 years at Oklahoma and the past decade at Clemson, Venables is the right man at the right time.

The Sooners need somebody with his skill set to resuscitate OU’s 2022 and 2023 recruiting classes after the damage that was done by Lincoln Riley’s sudden departure for USC.

He’s turned down multiple opportunities in the past. This includes passing down a chance to speak with Florida State last season because he didn’t think he could win big enough or recruit at the highest level.

Venables won’t have that problem in Norman.

Why Brent Venables is best recruiting fit for Oklahoma

No other head coaching candidate for Oklahoma knows the recruiting landscape better than Brent Venables.

He knows what it’s like to recruit against Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas A&M and others that you must beat out to win at OU.

“He’s been through the biggest recruiting fires everywhere in the country,” a longtime Big 12 assistant coach, who played for and recruited against Venables told On3. “He’s won them. But more importantly, he kicked Texas and Texas A&M’s asses for so many top recruits over the years. That’s something you need to win at OU.

“He’ll get the players to win big, count on it.”

He also will get full support from former players – which has become an increasingly important part of the process. Former players clamored for Venables to get the head coaching job throughout OU athletic director Joe Castiglione’s search.

Brent Venables also has also learned from best

Having covered Brent Venables for more than 25 years during my time at Rivals.com, ESPN and now On3, he’s always talked fondly about the valuable leadership lessons and recruiting savvy he’s picked up working with legendary head coaches Bill Snyder, Bob Stops and Dabo Swinney.

Venables also has the right personality to continue to recruit at a high level as a head coach.

He’s a super high-energy guy that’s always positive. He’s very friendly. He’s an affable and approachable person. That’s why he’s had so much success recruiting not only at Clemson but at Oklahoma before that. It’s also why he’s going to be such a great recruiter as a head coach.

But most importantly, Brent Venables loves recruiting. He’s a people person driven by relationships.

“He’s relentless,” another Big 12 recruiter said. “Nobody will work hard as a head coach on the recruiting trail than Brent Venables. If I am an Oklahoma fan, I’m doing cartwheels right now.”

Venables will have work to do on trail

Brent Venables’ first order of business will be to save as much of the 2022 and 2023 recruiting classes as possible.

The Sooners lost the foundation of their 2022 recruiting class. OU has lost all but two commits in its former No. 1 2023 recruiting class. Heck, even local star tight end Luke Hasz opened up his recruitment on Saturday.

Plus, several players announced their intention to enter the transfer portal after Riley’s decision, including quarterback Spencer Rattler, receivers Jadon Haselwood and Theo Wease and offensive lineman Brey Walker.

It’s a tall task to turn things around with only 10 days left before the start of the early signing period. But if there’s anybody up for the recruiting challenge, it’s Brent Venables.