When Bob Stoops speaks, people listen. As the winningest coach in the history of the Oklahoma Sooners and a legend in college football, Stoops has seen it all. His leadership during the most successful era of Sooner football, including a national title in 2000, has cemented his place as one of the sport’s great minds. So, when Stoops made a bold statement regarding Brent Venables calling the defense in 2025, the college football world took notice.
Brent Venables, a former defensive coordinator under Stoops at Oklahoma and later a highly respected defensive mind at Clemson, returned to Norman as the head coach of the Sooners in 2022. While his hiring was widely celebrated, Venables inherited a team in need of significant rebuilding after the departure of Lincoln Riley to USC. As Venables enters his third season at the helm, the question of whether he will continue to call the defensive plays in 2025 has become a key topic of discussion among fans, analysts, and former players alike. Stoops, who knows the ins and outs of Oklahoma football better than anyone, recently weighed in on the topic, offering a strong statement about the direction he believes the program should take.
### **Stoops’ Legacy at Oklahoma and the Venables Connection**
Before diving into Stoops’ recent comments, it’s essential to understand the context of both his legacy at Oklahoma and his relationship with Brent Venables. Stoops, who served as Oklahoma’s head coach from 1999 to 2016, built a powerhouse program that regularly competed for Big 12 titles and national championships. Under Stoops, the Sooners’ defense was a cornerstone of their success, with aggressive, hard-hitting units that could stifle even the most potent offenses in the nation. This defensive philosophy was central to Oklahoma’s identity during Stoops’ tenure, with Venables, then the defensive coordinator, playing a pivotal role in shaping that identity.
Venables, who was known for his blitz-heavy schemes and ability to get the most out of his players, played a massive role in Oklahoma’s defensive dominance during Stoops’ era. The two formed a formidable coaching duo, with Venables’ defenses ranking among the nation’s best year after year. This partnership helped build a foundation of success that Oklahoma fans still look back on with pride. After a brief stint at Clemson, where he became one of the most respected defensive minds in college football, Venables returned to Norman as head coach in 2022 with a reputation for defensive excellence.
Venables’ return to Oklahoma was met with optimism, especially considering his deep connection to the university and his proven track record of building elite defenses. However, rebuilding Oklahoma into a perennial contender once again would require more than just a return to form on defense. It required Venables to balance his own coaching responsibilities with leading a program in transition. One of the ongoing questions surrounding Venables’ tenure has been whether he will continue to call the defensive plays or hand over those duties to a coordinator in 2025.
### **Stoops’ Strong Statement: What Did He Say?**
In a recent interview, Bob Stoops made his feelings clear regarding Venables’ future as the playcaller for Oklahoma’s defense. Stoops, who remains close to the program and frequently offers his insights, stated unequivocally that he believes Venables should continue calling the defensive plays in 2025. His statement was a strong endorsement of Venables’ ability to manage both the head coach and defensive coordinator roles simultaneously, at least for the time being.
Stoops emphasized the importance of having a head coach who understands the intricacies of defense. He noted that Venables’ deep knowledge of the defensive side of the ball, coupled with his passion for coaching, makes him uniquely qualified to continue leading Oklahoma’s defense. Stoops acknowledged the challenges of balancing head coaching duties with defensive playcalling but expressed confidence in Venables’ ability to handle the workload. In Stoops’ view, the defensive-minded approach is part of what makes Venables special, and the Sooners would benefit from his continued direct involvement in the defense moving forward.
“I’ve seen Brent up close for many years, and I know his work ethic, his understanding of defense, and his ability to inspire and motivate his players,” Stoops said. “There’s a reason why he’s one of the best defensive minds in the game. I believe it’s important for him to continue calling the plays in 2025 because that’s what makes him so effective. He’s passionate about it, and it’s who he is. I don’t think he should take a step back from that responsibility.”
### **Why Stoops’ Statement Matters**
Stoops’ comments carry significant weight for several reasons. First, as one of the most successful coaches in Oklahoma football history, Stoops’ opinion on the matter isn’t just that of a casual observer; it is rooted in decades of experience. His words reflect a deep understanding of what makes Oklahoma’s program special and the importance of strong leadership in the coaching ranks. When Stoops speaks about defense, it’s not just about X’s and O’s—he’s talking about a philosophy, a culture, and a mindset that has helped define Oklahoma football for over two decades.
Second, Stoops’ endorsement of Venables as the playcaller in 2025 comes at a critical juncture in Venables’ tenure. As Oklahoma enters its third season under Venables, the team is still working to regain its place among the nation’s elite. While the Sooners showed progress in 2022, the program remains a work in progress, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Venables’ ability to maintain control over the defense, while also overseeing the team’s overall development, is crucial for his success moving forward. Stoops’ statement reaffirms the notion that continuity in leadership—especially on the defensive side—is essential for long-term success.
Third, Stoops’ strong support for Venables as the playcaller also serves as a counterpoint to growing speculation among fans and analysts that Venables might need to delegate defensive playcalling duties in the near future. The demands of being a head coach at a major program are immense, and some have questioned whether Venables can effectively manage both the strategic responsibilities of leading a team while also running the defense. Stoops’ endorsement pushes back against this notion, offering a different perspective on what it takes to succeed at the highest level.
### **Venables’ Defensive Philosophy and Its Impact on Oklahoma**
As Venables enters his third season as head coach, his defensive philosophy remains a cornerstone of Oklahoma’s program. Known for his aggressive, high-pressure defenses, Venables has built a reputation for his ability to disrupt opposing offenses through complex schemes, blitz packages, and a relentless pursuit of the ball. His defenses are predicated on attacking the quarterback, forcing turnovers, and creating chaos on the field—principles that have been central to his success throughout his career.
While Venables has yet to fully re-establish Oklahoma as a defensive powerhouse, there have been promising signs. His defense showed flashes of brilliance in 2022, particularly in the Sooners’ victory over Nebraska, where the team stifled the Cornhuskers’ offense in a dominant 49-14 win. As the program continues to evolve, Venables’ ability to mold the defense into a top-tier unit will be key to Oklahoma’s success in both the Big 12 and nationally.
### **Conclusion: A Future of Defensive Excellence?**
Bob Stoops’ strong statement regarding Brent Venables calling the defense in 2025 is a powerful endorsement of Venables’ ability to lead Oklahoma’s defense while managing the responsibilities of being a head coach. Stoops’ confidence in Venables suggests that the defensive-minded approach that helped define Oklahoma football under his leadership should continue under Venables. The road ahead for Oklahoma is challenging, but Stoops believes Venables is more than capable of handling the responsibility.
As the Sooners look toward the future, fans can take solace in the fact that their team is in the hands of a coach who understands the importance of defense and has the pedigree to get the job done. Whether or not Venables continues to call the plays in 2025, Stoops’ statement serves as a reminder that the foundation of Oklahoma football—built on strong defense and a winning mentality—remains intact.
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