Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables passionately emphasized the past, present, and future of the OU football program as the Sooners officially joined the SEC on Monday.
During an appearance on ESPN college football analyst Paul Finebaum’s show on SEC Network, live from Norman, Venables highlighted the storied history of Oklahoma football.
“We’re one of the top five legendary, iconic, winningest programs in the history of college football,” Venables said on “The Paul Finebaum Show.” He cited the program’s 47-game winning streak, the most conference championships in college football history, numerous national championships, Heisman Trophy winners, Hall of Fame inductees, consensus All-Americans, and a multitude of draft picks.
Venables also focused on the Sooners’ current and future prospects, particularly praising sophomore quarterback Jackson Arnold. He described Arnold as a talented player with great instincts, toughness, and leadership qualities, expressing high expectations for his development and performance.
On defense, Venables noted the steady improvement and experience gained over the past three years, emphasizing the importance of the players’ buy-in and the development culture at OU.
When asked about the perception that the rival Texas Longhorns are ahead of OU entering the SEC, Venables remained focused on his own program. He stressed the importance of internal focus and the established legacy of the Sooners, aiming to build a championship-caliber football program in the SEC.
Venables’ comments reflect a strong commitment to preserving Oklahoma’s rich football history while looking forward to significant progress in the 2024 season and beyond. His experience with national championship teams at Clemson and Oklahoma informs his vision for the Sooners’ future in the SEC.
