Oklahoma officially names Brent Venables the 23rd head coach of the Sooners

The University of Oklahoma officially named Brent Venables the next head coach of the Sooners, with statements from OU leadership.

The University of Oklahoma officially named Brent Venables the next head coach of the Sooners. Venables was greeted with an incredible reception in Norman as thousands of fans gathered to greet the head coach who will lead the Sooners into the next era of Oklahoma football.

Venables joins the Sooners after helping the Clemson Tigers win two national titles with defenses that were some of the best in college football during his tenure.

Per a release from the University of Oklahoma, there will be an event tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. that is open to the public to welcome Brent Venables back to the Oklahoma Sooners. The event will take place at the Everest Training Center, which is located one block east of Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

Per the release:

A former 13-year University of Oklahoma assistant coach who won a national championship with the Sooners and two more with Clemson University during a highly successful 10-year stint as defensive coordinator, Brent Venables has been named OU’s 23rd head football coach, President Joseph Harroz Jr. and Vice President and Director of Athletics Joe Castiglione announced Sunday evening.

Since joining Clemson prior to the 2012 season, Venables has constructed one of the nation’s top defenses. Over the last 10 years, the Tigers rank first nationally in sacks (445; next most is 392) and opponent third-down conversion percentage (30.2%), second in opponent pass efficiency rating (111.1) and takeaways (244; tied), third in scoring defense (17.8 ppg) and opponent completion percentage (53.3), fourth in total defense (311.4 ypg) and pass defense (190.5 ypg), fifth in interceptions (148) and sixth in rushing defense (120.9 ypg). They won conference titles each year from 2015-20.

Below are statements from Oklahoma leadership, new head coach Brent Venables, and former Kansas State head coach Bill Snyder.