Venables having a rough year, but Stoops has his back
Published: 9/27/2010 11:45 PM
Last Modified: 9/27/2010 11:45 PM
NORMAN — Oklahoma defensive coordinator Brent Venables hasn’t had it easy this year.
The Sooners rank 97th nationally in total defense, allowing 421 yards per game. That’s the worst an OU defense has ranked since Bob Stoops took over in 1999 and hired Venables as co-coordinator.
After the Sooners were strafed by big play after big play by little Utah State (the Aggies totaled 421 yards and 24 points), OU got things turned around and clamped down on Florida State (FSU gained 345 yards but scored only 17 points).
But then came 351 yards rushing (and 24 points) by Air Force. Last week, it was 461 total yards (and 29 points) at Cincinnati.
All four were victories, but three of the four were not pretty — especially not when the Sooners held commanding leads late and nearly blew it because the defense couldn’t contain the opponent. The four opponents compiled 467 yards in the fourth quarter (28 percent of the Sooners’ total for the season) as the Sooners have been outscored 41-10 in the fourth quarter of their games.
Even the Seminoles got going late with 149 yards and 10 points in the fourth quarter.
On Monday, Stoops gave Venables — his full-time defensive commander since 2004 — a vote of confidence.
“I think he’s done an excellent job,” Stoops said. “We’re a work in progress right now with some young guys, but I’m pleased — I’m confident, I should say; not pleased, but confident that we’ll mature and, just like a year ago, we’ll have a solid defense as we go.”
In fairness to Venables, he had to replace a defensive tackle who was drafted third overall, a linebacker with 29 career starts, a cornerback with 28, another cornerback with 26 and another linebacker with 26. Another tackle, Adrian Taylor, still isn’t all the way back from a dislocated ankle. Four first-year freshmen have become regulars.
Stoops said Venables will get things turned around this year, and he suspects much brighter days lay ahead for him.
“I want to see Brent get a head coaching job,” Stoops said. “I don’t think there’s any question he’s prepared and ready for it. And I’m confident that somewhere here in the near future that it’ll happen.”
— John E. Hoover
Written by
John E. Hoover
Sports Columnist
