Brent Venables reveals who he leaned on for advice during struggles

Oklahoma had massively been struggling over the past few weeks, dropping three in a row. Brent Venables desperately needed to get back on the right track and did so with a win against Kansas on Saturday. While the defense may have not put up the best performance, the Sooners’ offense surged with 52 points with quarterback Dillon Gabriel back in the lineup.

Venables was asked who he went to for support during Oklahoma’s struggles. He said nothing has changed since his time as an assistant coach, wanting to take most of the blame. When there is a loss, Venables is always wondering how he could have performed better and helped get a win.

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“Same guys I do when I am an assistant,” Venables said. “If you’re about the right stuff, when you suffer setbacks and losses — which I have had plenty. You bear all of it on your own shoulders. You don’t think ‘oh, well, that’s the head coach’s fault’ or ‘that’s the player’s fault.’ That’s not how it works for me. It’s like ‘what could I have done? I did all these things wrong, I could have avoided it.’ I’m always taking it on my own shoulders and the best players do that too. They point out all their faults and ways they could have been better.”

Brent Venables credits wife for support

Venables then got into specifics, naming his wife first and foremost. He credited her for being his “biggest critic” throughout the years. When you have been married to a college football coach over the past 25 years, you tend to pick up a thing or two.

“I got a great team of coaches,” Venables said. “You think I’m joking but my wife is my biggest critic and she’s got a great voice of reason. She’s been a coach’s wife for 25 years. Wives are incredibly smart. They pay attention to everything.”

Prior head coaches helping as well

After her, Venables talked about all of the great head coaches he’s been with. Whether it’s been an Oklahoma, Clemson, or back to his playing days at Kansas State — Venables said all of them are in his support group.

“I’ve got a great support system from Coach Stoops, Coach Sweeney, Coach Snyder — a lot of other coaches in the profession. Great leaders that aren’t coaches that are in great leadership positions. I take it all in. I’ve never felt like I am above taking advice from somebody I have great respect or admiration for.”