Steve Sarkisian predicts Brent Venables will 'win a lot of football games' at Oklahoma

There will be plenty of bad blood between Longhorn and Sooner fans ahead of the Red River Rivalry this weekend. However, that same sentiment doesn’t apply to the program’s head coaches. In fact, Steve Sarkisian extended an olive branch of sorts to his counterpart in Norman.

Sarkisian spoke highly of Brent Venables and what he can do at Oklahoma from here during media Monday. While they may be down after the last two weeks, he believes Venables will lead the program to a ton of wins because of what he has proven over the years.

CLICK HERE to subscribe for FREE to the On3 YouTube channel

“Brett’s a heck of a football coach. They’re gonna win a lot of football games,” said Sarkisian. “I’ve known him a long time. He’s done it at a high level wherever he’s been…They’ll be okay. He’s a heck of a coach.”

Venables’ start was strong with a 3-0 record where they won by a combined score of 127-30. However, the last two weekends against Kansas State and TCU have been disastrous. The defense has allowed an average of 48 points per game in the losses to the Wildcats and Horned Frogs.

While the pair of defeats have created concern, Sarkisian says the Sooners shouldn’t lose faith in Venables just yet. He knows the standard that Venables holds himself to because it’s the same one he has to hold himself to in Austin. That’s why he believes that, although it’s been a frustrating two weeks, it’s all part of Venables growig his own program.

“Anytime you’re in the process of building a program, it’s never easy. But that’s why we do it. Just like myself, Brent knows what he signed up for when you take on a job of (Texas) or (Oklahoma),” Venables said. “There’s expectations and there’s a standard to which that we internally hold to of what we’re expected to coach to and play to. There’s no secret to it all.”

When the two see each other on the field this weekend, there will be a much more competitive sentiment. With that said, Sarkisian knows that, even if the Longhorns drop Oklahoma to 3-3 and 0-3 in Big 12 play, the Sooners will be just fine with Venables at the helm both now and down the road.