The relationship between legendary former Oklahoma Sooners head coach Bob Stoops and current head coach Brent Venables has always been a point of fascination for the Sooner Nation. Stoops, who built the modern Oklahoma dynasty and led the program to its most recent national championship in 2000, remains a beloved figure, while Venables, his former defensive coordinator, now carries the torch. Any message, public or private, from Stoops to Venables invariably draws significant attention, especially as the Sooners navigate their challenging transition into the SEC.
Recent reports indicate that Bob Stoops, who is indeed the head coach of the United Football League’s (UFL) Arlington Renegades, has sent a clear and impactful message to Brent Venables regarding a crucial aspect of the Oklahoma Sooners’ 2025 season: Venables’ decision to assume defensive play-calling duties.
This particular message from Stoops comes at a critical juncture for the Oklahoma program. The Sooners are entering their first season in the highly competitive SEC, a move that demands immediate improvement and strategic clarity. After a challenging 2024 season that saw the offense struggle, Brent Venables made significant changes, including hiring Ben Arbuckle as the new offensive coordinator and bringing in transfer quarterback John Mateer. However, the defensive coordinator position also became vacant when Zac Alley departed for West Virginia. Instead of hiring an external replacement, Venables, a renowned defensive mind from his time as defensive coordinator at Oklahoma under Stoops and later at Clemson, announced that he would personally take over the defensive play-calling responsibilities for 2025.
This decision to “go all in” and directly control the defense has been met with mixed reactions from analysts and fans. Some view it as a necessary step for a coach on the “hot seat” to take direct control over what he knows best. Others express concern about the dual burden of head coaching duties and the intricate demands of play-calling, particularly in a league as unforgiving as the SEC.
It is in this context that Bob Stoops publicly offered his perspective, and his message was unequivocally one of support and validation for Venables’ choice. Stoops, speaking on “The REF,” explicitly stated:
“Mike Zimmer did it forever, Todd Bowles with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers still does it. There are plenty of guys in the NFL and in college that still do it. If you can call it on offense, then no reason you can’t call it on defense. So, sure you can. Now, if you’re fortunate enough to have someone that like-minded or has come through your defense that can call it, then he could just oversee it.”1
- Validation from a Legend: Coming from Bob Stoops, who led Oklahoma to 191 wins and a national title, this is not just an opinion; it’s an endorsement from the architect of modern Sooners football. Stoops understands the pressures and demands of coaching at Oklahoma better than almost anyone. His public backing of Venables’ decision provides a powerful vote of confidence, potentially alleviating some of the external pressure on Venables and reassuring the fanbase.
- Dispelling Doubts about Dual Roles: Stoops directly addresses the common concern about a head coach also serving as a play-caller. By citing successful examples from both the NFL (Mike Zimmer, Todd Bowles) and college football, he normalizes the practice and illustrates that it is a viable, even effective, approach when executed by capable coaches. His point that “If you can call it on offense, then no reason you can’t call it on defense” effectively dismisses the notion that only offensive head coaches can successfully double as play-callers.
- Trust in Venables’ Defensive Acumen: The subtext of Stoops’ message is a profound trust in Brent Venables’ defensive brilliance. Stoops coached Venables as a player at Kansas State and then employed him as his defensive coordinator for 13 years at Oklahoma, including the 2000 national championship season. He knows firsthand Venables’ tactical prowess, his relentless preparation, and his ability to motivate and lead a defense. Stoops’ statement implies that if anyone can handle both roles, it’s Venables, given his exceptional background on that side of the ball.
- Strategic Nuance on Delegation: Stoops also offers a nuanced view on long-term strategy. While he supports Venables calling plays now, he suggests that if the Sooners are “fortunate enough to have someone that like-minded or has come through your defense that can call it, then he could just oversee it.” This implies that Venables’ current decision might be a temporary measure to stabilize the defense and instill his exact vision as the team transitions to the SEC, with the potential to delegate play-calling in the future if a suitable, trusted coordinator emerges from his system.
- Acknowledging the “Hot Seat” Pressure (Implicitly): While Stoops doesn’t explicitly mention the “hot seat” that some analysts place Venables on, his defense of Venables’ proactive move implicitly recognizes the high stakes of the 2025 season. Venables is taking matters into his own hands in an area he excels, signaling his determination to succeed in a pivotal year for the program.
This isn’t the first time Bob Stoops has weighed in on Oklahoma football in ways that indirectly support Brent Venables. For instance, prior to the highly anticipated 2024 (now past) game against Tennessee, Stoops publicly announced he would not be doing interviews, stating he wanted all attention to be on Venables and Tennessee coach Josh Heupel (another former OU player). He expressed great respect for both, but ultimately declared, “But in the end I’m all- Boomer Sooner!” These instances illustrate Stoops’ ongoing commitment to the program and his desire to see Venables succeed.
Bob Stoops’ continued presence, even in his role with the Arlington Renegades in the UFL (where he led his team to a 5-5 record in the 2025 season), means his words carry weight. He is a constant reminder of Oklahoma’s championship standard. His message to Brent Venables regarding defensive play-calling is more than just an opinion; it’s a strategic endorsement from the patriarch of modern Sooners football, designed to instill confidence and focus as Oklahoma embarks on its momentous journey into the SEC. It underscores the deep respect and bond between the two coaches, and serves as a powerful symbol of continuity and support within the Sooner family.
