Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables is speaking with a lot of bravado after going 6-7 in his first season as head coach. On Thursday, Venables declared the Sooners as a team who could “hang a banner” at the end of the season.
Venables said the following about his team ahead of its last season in the Big 12.
“If we just get better on defense we’re going to win 10-plus games and have a chance to hang a banner up at the end of the year.”
It is within reason that Oklahoma could win 10 games in 2023, but bold for a head coach to project with certainty after a losing season. The proclamation is reminiscent of what former Texas head coach Charlie Strong said after similar underachievement. According to Venables, simply getting better on defense is all it takes.
The reality is, there are better Big 12 teams than Oklahoma in 2023. It is doubtful the Sooners would beat Kansas State, Texas Tech or Texas in Arlington for a Big 12 title. Then again, if they can just get better on defense Brent Venables believes they have a good chance.
#Sooners coach Brent Venables on 2023 season: “If we just get better on defense we’re going to win 10-plus games and have a chance to hang a banner up at the end of the year.”
— Ryan Aber (@ryaber) June 14, 2023