Kirk Herbstreit believes Oklahoma must show growth in Brent Venables’ second season

Oklahoma struggled in Year 1 under Brent Venables, going 6-7 and at times looking lost offensively. But Kirk Herbstreit urges patience for the Sooners program, while acknowledging that steps need to be taken in the right direction.

Ultimately, Herbstreit is confident in Venables and Co. getting the ship righted and on the proper course in Norman. He explained why to On3’s J.D. PicKell at the On3 NIL Elite Series in Nashville on Wednesday.

“Brent, because of not just his time with Bob [Stoops] in Norman — but I think really he changed as a coach and how he looks at things when he went to work for Dabo [Swinney],” Herbstreit said. “And I think now he understands the importance of loving on the kids and the culture and that takes time, sometimes, seeing the rewards of that take place. I think if they can get good play out of the quarterback spot, I think they’re going to be good enough around the quarterback. But I think they’re gifted enough. They’re always going to be a factor in the Big 12. One last year before they go to the big boys.”

Venables served as Swinney’s long-time defense coordinator at Clemson, winning multiple national championships while marshaling the defense. He finally rose the head coaching ranks when the Oklahoma job unexpectedly came open in late 2021.

And Herbstreit pointed the change of leadership and momentary identity crisis in the football program hamstrung Venables before he even got there.

Head coach Lincoln Riley left for USC, taking his offense — upon which much of the Oklahoma football identity was built — with him. He also brought along quarterback Caleb Williams, who won the Heisman in 2022.

It was a shocking move that sent Oklahoma into a sudden lurch. And it was Venables holding the bag in Norman in 2022 as the Sooners scrapped together a season that was not up to the lofty standards.

“Think about what happened with OU, with Caleb Williams leaving with Lincoln Riley. And it was just like, ‘What are we doing, where’s this thing going to go.’ And he had to, even though he’s an OU guy with his background, he still had to kind of calm the waters a little bit. And now it’s a matter of, OK, now you’re starting to bring in your guys,” Herbstreit said.

With a year and some stability under his belt now as the Oklahoma head coach, Herbstreit is a believer that Venables will have the Sooners closer to the level where they belong.