Clemson DC Brent Venables likely to be next Oklahoma HC
Lots of chatter about this but not official yet. If it comes to fruition, this would outstanding news for Michigans pursuit of Keon Sabb who is currently committed to Clemson.
Besides that, this would be a really good job by the Oklahoma AD of finding a top tier target and closing quickly.
November 29th, 2021 at 3:48 PM ^
This would be a huge loss for Clemson. They still play in the ACC but that program may be coming back to the pack a bit.
November 29th, 2021 at 4:36 PM ^
Yeah it seems like the CFP every year era of Clemson is likely over. They'll still be very good most years, but Venables is the backbone of that team. And they've shown this year that without a Heisman caliber QB, their offense is quite pedestrian. The only thing in their favor is that there's no other program in the ACC to really and truly knock them off their perch. Virginia Tech, Virginia, Florida State, North Carolina, and others can't even walk right without stepping on a rake. And Wake Forest is really good this year, but this doesn't feel that repeatable. The only real threat to Clemson's top spot is Miami if they actually end up grabbing Lane Kiffin imo
November 29th, 2021 at 5:14 PM ^
They have a very young OL, much like Michigan's last year (and 2017). I wouldn't be surprised to see their offense make a big leap next year even with DJ Ungaleiwhatever at QB. There's a lot of talent there.
But yeah, the combo of Watson and then Lawrence was virtually unsustainable and if Venables leaves, their D could come back to earth a bit too (it was still incredibly good this year).
November 29th, 2021 at 5:57 PM ^
Wow, you actually spelled his last name correctly!
November 29th, 2021 at 8:22 PM ^
They had a ton of injuries, young OL, true frosh RB and lack of a dynamic QB. The D should be stacked next year and Dabo should have zero problem finding a strong DC.
They’re already in CFP contention next year since the ACC is so weak and they have more far talent than any ACC team.
November 29th, 2021 at 3:48 PM ^
Venables is a hellofa DC, and he's obviously got deep roots in the program but, man, that is a big risk handing over the keys to a blue chip program to a 50 year old career coordinator who's literally never led a program at any level, not even Pop Warner.
November 29th, 2021 at 3:51 PM ^
Totally disagree. Home run hire if they can swing it.
November 29th, 2021 at 4:22 PM ^
I think it's likely a good hire, but with no HC experience, he can't quite be called a home run. Some great coordinators turn out not to be that great as head coaches.
November 29th, 2021 at 5:16 PM ^
Yeah, I mean, this is almost certainly a great hire but there's a little bit of risk. Tiny though.
Far more likely this is like a Kirby Smart hire than a Will Muschamp hire. He even has 12 years of knowledge of/experience with the program. No one else available comes with less risk.
November 29th, 2021 at 5:20 PM ^
The most likely outcome is in between those - he'll be good, but won't make them #1 in the country like Smart did. Especially when he's going to be coaching in the SEC soon.
November 29th, 2021 at 3:51 PM ^
To be fair, that’s what Georgia did. You could argue that was a bigger risk since you didn’t know if Bamas defense was bc of Saban or Smart. With Clemson, their defense is all Venables. His offensive hires will play a huge role on how his tenure at Oklahoma progress
November 29th, 2021 at 3:55 PM ^
I don't see any better options unless they can cajole Urban out of Jacksonville. Maybe he's having heart issues or headaches again and needs a change of scenery? They're trying stop the bleeding and while he's inexperienced as a head coach, he's probably as "splashy" as they can get with his recent pedigree in an effort to salvage what they can from the latest class. I honestly can't remember if I'm missing any one out there. McElwain? Mullen? I don't see them moving the needle. Campbell and Fleck don't have the luster they had last year.
November 29th, 2021 at 5:22 PM ^
Fleck had a nice bounce back year. Maybe he didn't have the luster he had after 2019, but seems like Fleck might be in line for an upgrade. 8-4 with a win over a hot Wisconsin team is very good at Minnesota.
November 29th, 2021 at 3:57 PM ^
I'm curious how he would do there, but he's been a big time DC for 15+ years. He's also worked under Bill Snyder (part of 3 10+ win teams), Bob Stoops (won 7 Big 12 titles and a national title as part of that staff), and Dabo (7 conference titles, two national titles and 6 CFP appearances). Seen multiple ways to build programs.
November 29th, 2021 at 3:59 PM ^
However, Oklahoma has some potential institutional advantages here. Stoops has agreed to coach for the bowl game. There is no reason he could not stay on in an advisory capacity to help Venables absorb the additional responsibilities that come with a head coaching position. OF course, having a former head coach around can create a difficult dynamic, as with Carr and Rodriguez. But I believe Stoops did the same thing when he stepped aside and handed the reins to Riley. If everyone acts like an adult, this could work out again.
November 29th, 2021 at 5:24 PM ^
Venables was Stoops associate HC/DC at Oklahoma already. They'll get along just fine. It'll be more like Barry Alvarez and one of his many apprentices than Lloyd and RichRod.
November 29th, 2021 at 5:02 PM ^
There are very few choices. Who would pick over him? I mean they are giving out $95M to guys who have won 17 games.
November 29th, 2021 at 5:13 PM ^
Maybe I'm misremembering, but isn't there some red flags with Venables? That would make sense given he's been a top DC for so long and hasn't gotten much HC consideration until now
November 29th, 2021 at 5:26 PM ^
I think he's gotten a lot of HC consideration, he's just turned everything else down previously.
November 29th, 2021 at 3:49 PM ^
Wiltfong already saying Sabb is leaning Michigan.
November 29th, 2021 at 3:51 PM ^
Would make sense. Venables has been like the #1 coordinator for a HC position for years, but never found a good place. OU is a blue blood, so seems like the time for the jump is now. The change to the SEC, however, is probably not as good.
November 29th, 2021 at 3:55 PM ^
but they don't play D in OK
November 29th, 2021 at 4:09 PM ^
They will now. (If Venables takes the job, anyway.)
Stoops had some good defenses in his early years (edit: including the years when Venables was at Oklahoma!), but they've definitely fallen away from that. If you go back to Barry Switzer, Chuck Fairbanks and Bud Wilkinson years, though, Oklahoma had a lot of stingy defenses.
I suspect whether or not Venables succeeds at Oklahoma (if this happens) depends on how he handles the offense, but we'll see.
November 29th, 2021 at 5:38 PM ^
My bigger concern would be Venables losing his schematic edge, like when Michigan hired Rich Rodriguez. Ohio State exposed Clemson's defense in last year's semifinal. If I recall, Ohio State caught that Clemson's defensive prowess stemmed from their ability to decipher other team's signals. Ryan Day made some adjustments and Justin Fields promptly showed Clemson its entrails. If that ends up being a "book game", then Venables' defenses may have hit their apex and started a downward slide.
November 29th, 2021 at 4:28 PM ^
They don't play D in the Big 12. They do in the SEC. That's why this makes sense now.
November 29th, 2021 at 3:56 PM ^
It's a lot more fun watching the Coaching Carousel and players hit the Transfer Portal while we're all getting ready for and looking forward to the Big Ten Championship game on Saturday.
November 29th, 2021 at 3:56 PM ^
I was worried that Sherrone Moore would be considered. Okla grad/former player and obviously did a great job this year as OL/co-oc.
Would've been happy for him as an individual ofcourse, but worried about the loss for M as a fan.
November 29th, 2021 at 3:59 PM ^
Moore? No way. He's been a position coach only and only at UM for a few years. He's a co-coordinator right now. I would be worried that a guy like Venables who is a defensive guy, would poach Moore to be his OC.
November 29th, 2021 at 4:24 PM ^
Nobody needs to know that lol
November 29th, 2021 at 5:34 PM ^
yep, obviously zero chance he'd be in consideration for the HC job but assuming Riley takes most or all of his offensive staff, there will be spots to fill and Moore should get looked at.
November 29th, 2021 at 7:12 PM ^
That seems like a potential big loss for Michigan after the way Moore had the Oline paving OSU into the turf in the Game.
November 29th, 2021 at 3:57 PM ^
Keon Sabb would be a nice flip. Clemson fans describe him as a swiss army knife that can handle several roles on defense. They don't want to lose him.
November 29th, 2021 at 4:28 PM ^
Hmmm...kinda like Simmons from Clemson? If so, yes please.
November 29th, 2021 at 4:01 PM ^
I see this as splashy, but I'm not sure this will work out. He's never been a serious candidate before and he's a defensive guy. Wonder who will carry the offensive scheme??
November 29th, 2021 at 4:01 PM ^
Wow that's a good pickup for Oklahoma, especially considering how quickly they put this together. Did they know Riley had a foot out the door?
November 29th, 2021 at 4:22 PM ^
The early signing period has meant that coaching vacancies are getting filled much more quickly than they previously did.
November 29th, 2021 at 5:36 PM ^
They were likely preparing for the possibility. Riley had interest from LSU and obviously was willing to listen to suitors. His agent had to be working on the deal to go to USC before their season ended.
November 29th, 2021 at 4:03 PM ^
I think he has a shot to be really good but this doesn't make much sense to me. He's been at Clemson a long time, will continue to be there as long as he wants and has two kids playing for him at Clemson.
November 29th, 2021 at 5:41 PM ^
His kids will transfer. His pay will...triple? quadruple? He spent 12 seasons under Stoops at OU. Seems like a no brainer.
November 29th, 2021 at 4:17 PM ^
If you're Clemson, that's a rather significant loss if it happens. I would think they start to suffer further "meh" seasons (by their recent standards) in that scenario barring an amazing replacement.
November 29th, 2021 at 4:18 PM ^
What an interesting culture shift that would bring to Oklahoma.
November 29th, 2021 at 5:42 PM ^
They were defensive minded under Stoops (and Venables was his DC for many years). Riley was the culture shift. This is kind of back to old school OU probably
November 29th, 2021 at 4:18 PM ^
Interesting choice. Gotta wonder about how the transition from an offense first team under Riley to a defense-first team under Venables will go down. But probably not a bad idea if they want to be able to compete in the SEC West.
November 29th, 2021 at 4:24 PM ^
Looks like Clemson's QB and other players are expected to go to OU with the Venables? Geez, I never even thought about players transfering to follow a coach if they leave. Whole new level of drama.
Also, speaking of Clemson, when is Dabo going to quit? He said he was going to quit coaching players ever got paid.
November 29th, 2021 at 5:01 PM ^
Why would a QB follow a defensive coordinator? Also OK still has Caleb. USC already has Dart and that elite incoming freshmen is going with Riley.
November 29th, 2021 at 7:22 PM ^
There was a tweet from a fake account saying that the hire was complete and that the quarterback DJ was going with him. That’s probably where the talk is coming from.
November 29th, 2021 at 5:13 PM ^
With the current transfer rules, not only can a school hire a coach but can also raid the locker room and non-signed commits
November 29th, 2021 at 5:27 PM ^
This is the part I hate about it. I'm all for player/coach freedom but it comes with this stuff that just seems to kill part of what makes CFB great.
It's beyond free-agency because when used in the sense we know it, at least those sports have salary caps. A coach can now spend school money to recruit and then bolt and poach without limit.
I don't know if "charm" is the word but there was something to leaving for a new job with either a rebuild or maintenance in play. It was part of the fascination, the endless play of of the new HC is gonna do it or not. Now? Yeah, he's bringing half the roster and recruits of his old school with him. Nah, we're good. He's taking literally f*ckin everything. He's got the turf coming!
It just feels wrong. That and a guy bringing in 37 fn transfers in one offseason. C'mon.
November 29th, 2021 at 4:34 PM ^
That would be a venerable choice.
November 29th, 2021 at 4:46 PM ^
Would be a great hire if they can get him. You're heading to the SEC, you're going to HAVE to play defense. No way around that. You know that Venables can field a defense, so that box will be checked. Question will just be if he can go find a great OC.
I'd definitely be nervous as hell right now if I were an LSU fan. Lincoln Riley was snatched right out from under you, Venables may be going to Oklahoma, Florida just made its hire and it seems like a good one, so you're hoping and praying you don't end up with the fourth or fifth best option out there.
I'm really just wondering if they've already got their candidate lined up, but they have to wait until the end of the season or after conference championship weekend to announce it, like Georgia's DC.