Dec. 7-13, 2021 by OU Daily

W E E K LY E D I T I O N | D E C . 7-13 , 2 0 2 1 | O U D A I LY. C O M

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‘WE GOT OUR GUY’

“OU football head coach Brent Venables during the celebration welcoming Venables inside Everest Training Center on Dec. 6.”

Venables to helm Sooners football after Riley’s departure MASON YOUNG @Mason_Young_0

With numerous current and former Oklahoma players in tow, Brent Venables led a march Monday morning from Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium to the Everest Training Center, closing a chapter of uncertainty en route to his coronation as the Sooners’ next head coach. Upon entering OU’s cavernous indoor facility, Venables was greeted by shouting fans, cheerleaders and a blaring Pride of Oklahoma as he stepped onto a large stage glistening with six of the university’s seven national championship trophies and Jordan Brand swagger. The party that began Sunday at Max Westheimer Airport where hundreds gathered late at night to welcome the plane bringing him to Norman would only continue Monday morning. In between, the coach said he squeezed in a latenight Whataburger run for a triple cheeseburger and onion rings, which elevated him to “hog heaven” after an exhausting evening. Venables’ entourage trickled in behind him and sat directly before the stage where he was introduced by Athletic Director Joe Castiglione, OU President Joseph Harroz, linebacker Caleb Kelly and play-by-play voice Toby Rowland. Many Sooners donned red shirts inscribed with a mantra that has gained significant meaning to Sooner Nation in the past seven days:

“We are OU football” Interim head coach Bob Stoops, who was absent from Monday’s festivities ahead of his College Football Hall of Fame induction Tuesday in Las Vegas, first uttered the phrase in reference to OU players less than 24 hours after Lincoln Riley’s shocking departure to become head coach at USC. One week later, Venables stood before players past and present as Riley’s replacement, galvanizing and reunifying the storied program he previously served as Stoops’ defensive coordinator from 19992011 and aided to its 2000 national championship. “This is Oklahoma, and Oklahoma is a special place,” Venables said during his introductory press conference after waking up at 4 a.m. from sheer excitement. “To have the opportunity to be the next football coach at Oklahoma, it’s something that you have to look at that you can’t turn down. I’ve been very patient in my career. I’m a very faith-driven decision maker. When this call came … this one was special.” Venables, Castiglione’s first choice to become the Sooners’ 23rd coach, returns to Norman after 10 seasons at Clemson, where he helped capture two national championships and made the Tigers a perennial top 25 defense from 2013 on. The 50-yearold brings with him his wife Julie, daughters Delaney and Addison and sons Jake and Tyler, the latter a Clemson safety who plans to play in the Tigers’ Cheez-It Bowl game against Iowa State. Along his meteoric rise to becoming one of college football’s best defensive coordinators, Venables

learned from a trio of heralded coaches. Venables played and coached for Kansas State legend Bill Snyder from 1991-98 before Stoops, who first recruited him to Manhattan, brought him to Oklahoma the first time, and he has spent the past several years under Clemson coach Dabo Swinney’s tutelage. Venables said he learned organization from Snyder, confidence from Stoops and how to love from Swinney. “I’m a simple guy,” Venables said. “I value some things that maybe other people don’t. Maybe more so, I value relationships. I value people. I value quality of life and I value simplicity. Just because you become the head coach doesn’t mean you can’t keep things simple. You control that narrative.” Venables spoke often during his celebratory speech of developing a program that’s relational and not transactional in nature — one that appeals to the player’s heart more than his talent. That mentality was ingrained at Clemson, where, despite an outstanding resume at Oklahoma, he was forced to start from scratch at making connections. “I’ve always believed in continuing to nurture your relationships,” Venables said. “Don’t get so caught up in the recruiting that you lose sight of what’s most important in your locker room, because that’s the lifeblood of your program.” The current lifeblood of OU’s program is quarterback Caleb Williams, who many fear will follow Riley to USC after he burst onto the scene and threw for 1,670 yards and 18 touchdowns in five and a half games.

Venables said he has already met with Williams and his father in hopes of keeping the star freshman in Norman. “Whether it’s Caleb or anybody else, everybody talks about recruiting, and … the next class and the next class after that,” Venables said. “There’s nobody that’s more important to recruit than your (current) players every day. You do that with relationships.” Had anyone told him when he left his old Oklahoma office for the last time he would return 10 years later as head coach, Venables joked he would’ve told them to check into a mental hospital. But, even from South Carolina, Venables was still attentive to OU, which he coached against in the 2014 Russell Athletic Bowl and the 2015 Orange Bowl. He waited stoically for an opportunity in Norman despite Auburn’s pursuit of his services last fall. “Coach Stoops and his family, Joe Castiglione and his family, our children, we’re christened together,” Venables said. “We’ve done it all. We changed diapers together. I’m a very connected person. I feel like for some relationships, you have business relationships. I’m not really like that. “I’m deeply connected, whether I say that outwardly or not. You pour your life into something, you pour your heart into it, you’re truly passionate about it, you don’t just close that door. I was looking on and pulling for them. It’s been a lot of fun.” Now Venables has his chance, but a tall task awaits after OU completes its Dec. 29 Alamo Bowl game against Oregon. In one week, six former

EDWARD REALI/THE DAILY

Sooners entered the NCAA Transfer Portal, eight recruits decommitted and Riley pilfered five assistants from his previous coaching staff. In keeping with simplicity, Venables said he plans to hire a defensive coordinator and is reportedly targeting Mississippi’s Jeff Lebby as offensive coordinator, which would provide him a better administrative perspective of the program as he settles into his first head coaching role. Shortly after his introductory press conference, Venables and assistant Cale Gundy visited the home of fourstar 2022 offensive tackle commit Jacob Sexton. That’s just the first of many recruiting check-ins he’ll soon make and the first of many checkpoints in OU’s looming transition to the SEC. At every stop, the pitch — like the program Venables has reenergized — is bigger than the coach, but having a coach like Venables can only help. “I’m just passionate about people and I am passionate about winning,” Venables said. “I’m passionate about winning the right way and never compromising those values. “A lot of people are using that scoreboard in that stadium as how they’re going to judge you. It’s a performance-based profession. It’s important to have success, but for me, my scoreboard isn’t in that stadium. It’s the lives that I impact, it’s the hearts that I reach, it’s the relationships that last a lifetime. There’s nothing that will trump that, and as a head coach, that’s what I want our program to be about.” masyoung@ou.edu

SPORTS

• Dec. 7-13, 2021

Setting staff among first tasks

Venables already eyeing potential new staff hires

CHANDLER ENGELBRECHT

@ctengelbrecht

Brent Venables won’t rebuild Oklahoma by himself. The 50-year-old, who was formally introduced as the Sooners’ head coach on Dec. 6, is looking to reconstruct OU’s coaching staff after Lincoln Riley’s departure to Southern California on Nov. 28. Defensive coordinator Alex Grinch, outside receivers coach Dennis Simmons, director of football operations Clarke Stroud and director of sports performance Bennie Wylie followed Riley to USC the next day. Alongside those vacancies, cornerbacks coach Roy Manning is no longer with Oklahoma, and The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman reported that outside linebackers and defensive ends coach Jamar Cain is also expected to join Riley’s Trojans. Additionally, the Sooners need a new offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach and safeties coach, as Riley and Grinch oversaw those positions while on staff. Finding suitable replacements will take time, but Venables is ready to get started. “You prepare yourself for a long time,” Venables said. “Every battle is won before it’s fought.That same kind of mindset (exists) when it comes to staffing, and we’re working through that right now. The same with our current staff. There’s some terrific options right here at home and we’re looking at everything, but obviously, we want to do it sooner rather than later. And we’re working aggressively on both fronts.” Still remaining on the Sooners’ coaching staff, per

its online directory, are inside receivers coach Cale Gundy, offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh, defensive line coach Calvin Thibodeaux, inside linebackers coach Brian Odom, running backs coach DeMarco Murray and H-backs coach Joe Jon Finley. Thibodeaux, Murray and Finley all played at OU while Venables served as defensive coordinator from 1999-2011. According to ESPN’s Chris Low, Venables is targeting Mississippi offensive coordinator and quarterback’s coach Jeff Lebby to fill the vacant position at OU. Lebby, a student assistant for the Sooners from 2002-6, is in his second season with Ole Miss and ushered the Rebels’ offense to an SECleading 555.5 yards per game in 2020. Finley was Ole Miss’ passing game coordinator and tight ends coach that season. “Just watch how offenses work today,” Venables said Monday. “Fast paced, mostly everybody’s no huddle or the sugar huddle. … Just because you spread out doesn’t mean you have to lose a physical element. And I think it’s important, more important than anything else, that you maintain, establish, nourish, enhance, improve (and) have a standard of physicality that goes with whatever scheme that you’re implementing. “I think you have to be known for something, and so I think having a strong identity that has shown it has stood the test of time is important as well.” Before his current stint at Mississippi, Lebby served in numerous coaching roles at Baylor from 2008-16. He was Southeastern’s offensive coordinator in 2017 and UCF’s quarterbacks coach and play-caller from 2018-19. While with the Bears, Lebby was named as one of several coaches that failed to act when notified of sexual assault allegations within the university.

The scandal led to the terminations of former Baylor President Ken Starr, Athletic Director Ian McCaw and head football coach Art Briles. Lebby is married to Briles’ daughter, Staley. Lebby’s father Mike coached high school football at Sweetwater High School in the 1980s in Texas. Before returning to Oklahoma, Venables was defensive coordinator at Clemson since 2012. There, he had total control over the Tigers’ defensive schemes and play calling, building the unit into a national powerhouse. Clemson’s defense has ranked among the top 25 every season since 2013, and the Tigers won two national championships during Venables’ tenure. Despite his recent success at the position, Venables told reporters on that he intends to hire a defensive coordinator for next season and that his main focus is on being the Sooners’ head coach. “On defense, I believe that it all starts up front,” Venables said. “You’ve got to recruit great players there and develop them. Length and speed, guys that position flexibility is ideal — that helps create additional depth. The way offenses operate, you’d like to build from a package standpoint, not have to get in and out of sub-packages. You want to do it when you want to do it, not when somebody forces you to do it. “You want people to feel like they’re seeing a lot, but keep it simple. I’m (big on) fundamentals on both sides of the ball, not trying to out trick when it’s all said and done. I love deception. I love deception on both sides, but at the end of the day, it comes down to fundamentals and physicality. Guys playing with uncommon effort, and I think those got to be non-negotiables.” chandler.engelbrecht@ou.edu

TREY YOUNG/THE DAILY

OU football head coach Brent Venables is welcomed at the Max Westheimer airport Dec. 5.

SPORTS

Dec. 7-13, 2021 •

OU Athletic Director Joe Castiglione gives OU head coach Brent Venables OU Jordans during the celebration welcoming him inside Everest Training Center on Dec. 6.

EDWARD REALI/THE DAILY

Venables hits recruiting trail New head coach strives to rebuild team relationships AUSTIN CURTRIGHT @AustinCurtright

Hours after Brent Venables’ introductory press conference, Oklahoma’s 23rd head coach ventured on his first inhome recruiting visit. Venables and longtime assistant coach Cale Gundy met with 2022 four-star offensive lineman Jacob Sexton, less than 35 miles from Norman in Edmond. The former Clemson defensive coordinator hit the trail just a day after he landed in Norman and was greeted by thousands of fans before visiting Whataburger along the way. Venables, previously the

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Sooners’ defensive coordinator from 1999-2011, was reintroduced by OU President Joseph Harroz and Athletics Director Joe Castiglione on Monday morning in the Everest Training Center. Despite the exciting introduction, Venables inherits a tough task, being introduced just nine days before the early signing period begins for high school recruits. “My number one goal is to get on the road recruiting,” Venables said in his first OU press conference since leaving the school in 2011. Venables is immediately tasked with salvaging the 2022 recruiting class that lost four four-star commitments after former Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley left for the job at Southern California a week ago. He also faces the challenge of persuading freshman

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quarterback Caleb Williams to stay. The Sooners’ wunderkind and former five-star prospect developed a close relationship with Riley and flashed moments of greatness this season. “(I want to) make sure that this (2022) class that’s due to enroll in the next few weeks is where it needs to be. And then all the while in between visits, visiting with our current players.” Williams threw for 1,670 yards and 18 touchdowns, adding 408 rushing yards and another six touchdowns in just six starts this season. He’s next slated to lead OU as it takes on Oregon on Dec. 29 in the Alamo Bowl. Despite Venables’ busy few days, he managed to have a conversation with Williams and his father shortly after becoming Oklahoma’s coach.

Although Venables didn’t disclose the nature of their conversation, he did offer insight to his philosophy on surviving the roster turnover. “Whether it’s Caleb or anybody else, everyone talks about recruiting,” Venables said. “There’s nobody that’s more important to recruit than your players, every day. You do that with relationships. You do that with connectivity. You got to reach to them the right way.” Williams, along with the rest of the current players, joined Venables for his introduction while sporting shirts that said “We Are OU,” giving fans hope the star may consider returning despite losing Riley. Oklahoma also had a slew of players enter the NCAA Transfer Portal since Riley’s exit. The exodus included former five-star recruits Spencer

HOROSCOPE By Eugenia Last

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2021 ASTROGRAPH by Eugenia Last SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Dive in, take charge and get things done. Take the initiative, and you will turn an idea into something concrete. Refuse to let someone’s negativity or misleading rhetoric get in the way.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Assess a situation, make your move and finish what you start. Living up to your word will help ward off criticism and interference. A steady pace and an articulate plan will lead to victory.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) Map out what you can do before committing to something that may not CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) be feasible. An act of kindness Concentrate on getting things done on shouldn’t put you in a vulnerable time. Use your imagination, and position. Get your facts straight and you’ll find a way to outmaneuver think creatively. anyone who tries to compete with you. Use your physical attributes to LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) your advantage. Don’t tempt fate. Stick to a schedule and take care of your responsibilities. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Don’t get involved in gossip or be A last-minute change will limit what gullible when dealing with peers. A you can do, causing doubt and stress. resourceful approach will help you Have a backup plan in place before avoid wasting time. you commit to someone or something that has the potential to go sideways. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Mull things over. Be smart by easing PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) into any change that comes your way; Don’t let anyone take advantage of things will turn out better than your kindness and generosity. Offer anticipated. A networking event will only what you can afford and what pay off. Self-improvement will give will not compromise you mentally, you the boost you need. emotionally or financially. A little romance will help. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Consider what’s essential and ARIES (March 21-April 19) concentrate on keeping the peace and Lean on someone who is always there being honest about how you feel and for you. The added reinforcement will what you plan to do next. Don’t let give you an edge. Be smart about the your emotions get in the way of your way you handle your peers, and you happiness. will gain respect and support. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Do your part and make a difference. Keep an open mind, but don’t take Look for solutions instead of unnecessary risks. A minimalist complaining about what’s wrong. approach will save you time and Documenting everything will help you money and help you avoid an keep tabs on who does what and what argument with someone who can helps the most. influence your status or reputation.

Rattler, Jadon Haselwood and Theo Wease, along with fourstar tight end Austin Stogner. For Venables, changing the culture to keep his players at OU rather than using the portal to “quit” is an important issue he plans to attack. “The portal is a very real thing with all of your players, but I’ve always believed in continuing to nurture your relationships,” Venables said. “Don’t get so caught up in the recruiting that you lose sight of what’s most important: what’s in your locker room. That’s the lifeblood of your program.” Venables oversaw impressive recruiting feats during his 10-year tenure at Clemson. He helped garner pledges from current NFL players and former five-star prospects A.J. Terrell and Christian Wilkins, along with current Tigers defensive lineman Bryan Bresee,

the No. 1 ranked player in the 2020 cycle, per 247Sports’ Composite rankings. Venables’ recruiting prowess shined in South Carolina, located in a region typically dominated by the SEC footprint. However, his emphasis on building relationships is why he’s had success. “We’re going to value our (scholarship) offer,” Venables. “It’s important to me, first of all, to understand what those values are, what the fit is. Find people first. Yeah, they gotta be talented that goes without saying. They got to be a great player. But we’re gonna look for people first because I think that’s what sustains. … We want to keep that to a minimum because I think continuity can be a very good thing.” austincurtright@ou.edu

Universal Crossword Edited by David Steinberg December 7, 2021 ACROSS 1 Pop bubbles? 5 Places to build muscle 9 People from Copenhagen 14 Rice-shaped pasta 15 “Not guilty,” e.g. 16 Wordless part of a text, perhaps 17 Bit of coffee 18 Serena ___ (tennis feat) 19 Los Angeles athlete 20 Nickname that drops “ediah” 22 Some eco-friendly trains 24 So-so 26 Nonbinary person, for short 28 Bothered a lot 29 Antipollution org. 30 Gen ___ 31 Weed 32 ID on a W-2 33 Debt notes 35 Like a 270-degree angle 39 Sister city of Gomorrah 41 Automated web scraper 43 Windshield device 44 Not outdoors 46 Lead-in to “colada” 48 “Without further ___ ...” 49 Feeling down 50 Reassuring touch

12/7

51 Stark father in “Game of Thrones” 52 Market price 54 Tennis legend Arthur 55 Nickname that anagrams to 58-Across 56 Party person? 58 “Color” of anger 60 Shaq’s surname 61 Russian form of John 63 Heart, on Facebook 66 Slowly sip 67 Thumbs-up, on Facebook 68 Influence 69 ___ Park, Colorado 70 Killed, as a dragon 71 Poker stake DOWN 1 Key ring item 2 Fury 3 *Before: Dance move involving the fingers / After: Enliven + Without question 4 Sector 5 Rte. finder 6 *Before: Treat for a dog / After: Bankrupt + Post-workout massage 7 Like some bad apples 8 “Likewise” 9 *Before: Fiji product / After: Held in + Dilute

10 Italian almond cookies 11 Finnish telecom giant 12 DVD player button 13 Knights’ titles 21 *Before: Tennis format that isn’t single-sex / After: Confused + Commits more 23 Guitar attachment 24 Soccer star Lionel 25 Printer brand 27 Prefix for “natal” 34 Sponge (up) 36 Fluctuating, or two words needed to understand the starred clues’ “After” parts

37 Passover feast 38 Chip away at 40 Drilling agreement 42 *Before: Beverage drinker’s comic reaction / After: Regurgitate, baby-style + Dismantle 45 Pitcher hidden in “brewery” 47 “I’ll pass” 52 Earth neighbor 53 Vigilant 54 Blacksmith’s block 56 Rod’s counterpart 57 Afflicts 59 “Frozen II” queen 62 Unused 64 Brewery container 65 Blinker?

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