Brent Venables speaks on his relationship with Josh Heupel

The connection between Brent Venables and Josh Heupel dates all the way back to the turn of the last century when both were at Oklahoma. Now, with the Sooners joining the Southeastern Conference and, therefore, a 2024 meeting with Tennessee, it’s another chance for the two to connect once more on the field.

Venables discussed his relationship with Heupel during his time at the podium during SEC Media Days on Tuesday.

“Yeah, so, I was speaking about Josh earlier,” Venables said. “I have this deep appreciation for Josh.”

That naturally starts back in Norman in 1999 and 2000 when both were under legendary Sooners coach Bob Stoops. Venables was a defensive assistant at that time while Heupel was the starting quarterback. In that time, OU went 20-5 overall, including an undefeated, national title-winning season in 2000. That run also saw Heupel finish as the runner-up for The Heisman Trophy.

That’s why Heupel’s first impression on Venables was certainly a lasting one.

“Certainly, first and foremost, as a player to experience my first national championship as a coach? I’ve always looked back and said we couldn’t have done it without Heup – his leadership, what he was able to do from a transformation standpoint to our locker room, the guts and the toughness that he played through in that 2000 season,” Venables said. “I’ve always held him up here on this pedestal when it comes from a player standpoint.”

Then, from there, Heupel would return to Oklahoma as a grad assistant, quarterbacks coach, and offensive coordinator from time spanning from 2003 to 2014. Over that same time, Venables also worked in spots as their associate head coach, defensive coordinator, and linebackers coach.

Heupel’s alma mater eventually fired him and he has since made a mark for himself over the past several years, namely on Rocky Top. Venables has followed along through it all too as he himself went to Clemson before since returning to the Sooners as their head coach.

“No surprise, as a coach’s son, the level of success that he has had as a coach. I’ve stayed in touch with him pretty much every step of the way through this process,” Venables said. “We competed on the field in 2014. He went to Utah State, then to Central Florida, and then to Tennessee. We’ve stayed in touch through those moments of success and some of the moments, the challenges a football season will bring you.”

After 25 years working or keeping up with one another, 2024 will now provide them a chance as opponents. Venables and Oklahoma will host Heupel and Tennessee in their debut in the league on September 21st. It will give Heupel, Venables, and the Sooners a chance to all come together again. That reunion will before each team then tries to leave with their first conference win of the year.

Venables has known Heupel for as long as he has been involved in college football. That’s why it’s no shock to him to see that he has continued to succeed throughout his time as a player and now on the sidelines.

“A great friend. He and his wife, Dawn, and their children – really good friends of ours,” Venables noted. “Just really happy for him and the success that he has had.

“It’s no surprise. He has always been a winner.”