Mark Stoops, others talk about Oklahoma to SEC

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — It may be a year away, but there is still plenty of talk at SEC Media Days about Oklahoma.

The Sooners and Longhorns will officially be in the SEC this time next year, which has led to some buzz at SEC Media Days this week in Nashville. Nearly every SEC coach has been asked about Oklahoma and Texas joining the conference. And most are excited about the two programs’ arrival in 2024.

Here are the top highlights regarding Oklahoma from SEC Media Days.

Nick Saban, Alabama, talks challenges of expansion

Alabama’s head coach since 2007, Saban is more than familiar with Oklahoma. The Crimson Tide and the Sooners have faced each other twice during his tenure at Alabama. And the long-time coach is looking forward to both Oklahoma and Texas joining the conference next year. 

“I think it’s a great addition to the SEC,” Saban said. “You have two great programs that have great traditions that have great fan support. I think it just continues to sort of — the map of the SEC, it is stronger than ever. I think the competition is going to be — it’s always been difficult. It’s going to be even more challenging because you’ve got two really, really good programs who have consistently, if you look at the past, have been, you know, top-10 programs for a lot of years, won national championships.

“They are going to add a lot to the competition. I think with the new scheduling that we’ll have in the future, it’s more good games for fans, more diversity in who you play. So there’s a lot of positives about it. From a coaching standpoint, it’s going to be much more challenging to be able to compete week-in and week-out. I think when you look at the SEC, the thing that separates it is not the top, but the depth, how many good teams there are.”

Sam Pittman, Arkansas, talks Oklahoma memories

Pittman has close ties to Oklahoma, growing up in the state. He also coached at Oklahoma in 1998 as the offensive line coach. Pittman has fond memories of the Sooners. 

“Grew up a Sooner fan until I moved out to eastern Oklahoma and became a Hog fan. I think it will be a big deal for the SEC and specifically Texas because of the old Southwest Conference rivalry,” Pittman said. “I got a bunch of (memories). Brian Bosworth. You know, one of them, and I was a football fan, but one of them was when Arkansas in ’78, OU has got to win the game. They won the natty and Arkansas got them 31-6. At that point, I wasn’t an Arkansas fan. I was an OU fan. 

“You have Billy Sims. I mean, there’s a lot of great memories. We couldn’t really afford to go to the game or anything like that, but a lot of great memories. Oklahoma, Barry Switzer, of course, Stoops, now, was the next one. Yeah, a lot of great memories. Powerful program. Great program.”

Mark Stoops, Kentucky, talks Oklahoma and Venables

Stoops obviously has one of the closest connections to the Oklahoma program. His brother Bob was Oklahoma’s head coach for 18 years. Stoops is excited for the Sooners to join the SEC. And he’s close friends with Oklahoma coach Brent Venables. 

“When I first heard about Oklahoma and Texas, my immediate reaction was, wow, already a great conference, going to get better. And excited about that opportunity. You know, it will just make it that much more of a challenge with two great programs and the history of both of those programs,” Stoops said. “I’ve known Coach Venables for a long time, back to his days at Kansas State where he started coaching with Mike and Bob at K-State, and then of course at Oklahoma. Known Brent for a long time. 

“Think the world of him as a person and as a coach, and you know, excited for him because I know he’ll do great things there, and I think he’s a great fit and certainly, very close to my family.”

Stoops has also watched Oklahoma from afar in recent years, as his nephew Drake has been a standout receiver for the Sooners. 

“Drake, I can’t tell you the sense of pride that our whole family has watching him play,” Stoops said. “Just the way he plays the game is a way that we certainly respect in how hard he plays and the way he sacrifices for his teammates, the way he competes at Oklahoma, and the legacy playing under his dad and playing under Bob with the tradition Bob had at Oklahoma; but Drake carrying that so well and handling it with such ease. And I’m sure it has not been easy for him. He’s had some ups and downs, like any player, but the way he’s dealt with that, he gets a lot of respect from our family, that’s for sure. No offense, but that’s all that matters.”