Brent Venables shares how much he paid attention to Oklahoma while at Clemson

Brent Venables is no stranger to Oklahoma. After spending 13 seasons as an assistant coach in various roles – from co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach to associate head coach and defensive coordinator – with the Sooners from 1999-2011, Venables is now back in Norman to serve as OU’s head coach.

After leaving Oklahoma following the 2011 season to become Clemson’s defensive coordinator, Venables ended up putting together a long run there as he spent 10 years on the Tigers’ staff, including the last four as Dabo Swinney’s associate head coach and defensive coordinator.

Although he was away from Oklahoma’s program for quite some time, Venables never stopped keeping up with what the Sooners were doing. He spent 13 long years in Norman, so he couldn’t just move onto Clemson and forget all about OU.

“You feel like that’s a part of your fiber,” Venables said during his introductory press conference at Oklahoma. “It’s not just a job – for me. You pour your life into it. You don’t just walk away and forget about it, good or bad. You try to learn from all of it. So, for me, absolutely – always paying attention. Coach Stoops and his family, Joe Castiglione and his family – our children were christened together. We’ve done it all … changed diapers together.

“I’m just a very connected person, and even to a lot of you. I feel like business relationships, I’m not really like that. I’m deeply connected, whether I say that outwardly or not. But when you pour your life into something, you pour your heart into it and you’re really passionate about it, you don’t just close that door. So, absolutely … looking on, pulling for – it’s been a lot of fun.”

The 23rd head coach in Oklahoma history, Venables, 50, replaces Lincoln Riley – who’s now in the same role at USC – as the Sooners’ head man.

Brent Venables provides his initial reaction to being back at Oklahoma

In his introductory press conference, Brent Venables detailed the euphoria he felt upon finally returning to Oklahoma.

“It was really indescribable,” Venables said when asked what it was like being back in Norman. “You talk about going down memory lane – just some amazing memories. Our family was molded and shaped here. Just so many incredible influences.”

When Venables first got to Norman, he took his family to Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. It was an incredible moment, as the lights shined bright on the new Sooners head coach.