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Brent Venables is apparently quite the athlete. In fact, an Oklahoma player recently claimed that he “embarrasses” Sooners defenders on a weekly basis acting as the scout team quarterback.
The head coach’s tenacity is something that’s followed him throughout his career. Not many folks have a “get-back” assistant designated for the sole purpose of pulling the coach onto the sidelines when he gets too animated.
@collegesportsonly Sometimes the “Get Back” guy gets on your nerves. 😡 | #cfb #collegefootball #football #footballtiktok ♬ Get Back – (Edited) – Ludacris
His hard-nosed attitude helped him land the head coaching job at OU after a successful stint as Clemson’s defensive coordinator. Year 1 in Norman was a bit bumpy, but he has the train rolling in 2023.
The Sooners are 6-0, fresh off a Red River Rivalry win over Texas.
They’ve used a top-flight offense and the Big XII’s best scoring defense to reel off five double-digit victories.
Venables might have something to do with that play on the field.
According to linebacker Danny Stutsman, their head coach doubles as the scout team QB.
“A lot of people don’t know, but [Coach Venables] is actually our scout team quarterback,” Stutsman said on the Pat McAfee Show. “For your head coach to be the scout team QB, he can pick apart the defense. Realistically, he built the defense, so when he’s out there slinging the rock, kind of embarrassing these dudes, we have to bring it every single day.”
Though he doesn’t wear pads while running that scout team offense, Venables isn’t afraid of a little contact.
“He’ll lower the shoulder. He’ll run you over. He’s not in pads, but you’d be surprised. Coach V’s a guy waking up at 5am to run stadiums. He actually hurt his meniscus, and he was still in practice slinging the rock. He doesn’t take any days off.”
I wouldn’t want to tackle him.
While that toughness is on display every week his Sooners take the field, Venables’ 52-year age might limit how much longer he can keep his scout team QB gig going. Stutsman said he’s in the training room often receiving more treatment than OU players.
For now, though, it seems he’s doing just fine prepping his defense for upcoming opponents.