Bob Stoops, the legendary former head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners, is one of the most respected figures in the history of college football. His tenure at Oklahoma, where he led the program to a national championship and numerous conference titles, left an indelible mark on the sport. One of his most significant contributions to the Sooners was his ability to build a dominant defense. Stoops was known for his defensive prowess, which helped transform Oklahoma into a national powerhouse.
Brent Venables, a former defensive coordinator under Stoops and now the head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners, has returned to Norman with the task of reviving the Sooners’ defensive reputation. As the 2025 season approaches, Venables has already made significant strides in retooling the Oklahoma defense after a period of relative mediocrity on that side of the ball. However, there have been questions about Venables’ ability to balance his head coaching duties with calling the defense, something that Stoops has recently weighed in on, making a strong statement regarding Venables’ role in 2025.
Bob Stoops’ Legacy at Oklahoma
Before diving into Stoops’ perspective on Venables calling the defense, it’s important to understand the legacy that Stoops left behind at Oklahoma. As the head coach from 1999 to 2016, Stoops led the Sooners to one national championship (2000), 10 Big 12 titles, and a staggering 18 consecutive bowl appearances. His leadership and ability to recruit and develop talent made Oklahoma one of the most consistent teams in college football during his era.
While Stoops was known for his offensive innovations, especially with quarterbacks like Sam Bradford, Jason White, and Landry Jones, his true genius often came from his ability to orchestrate a defense that could compete with the best teams in the country. The defense under Stoops was always aggressive, disciplined, and physical, setting the tone for a brand of football that made Oklahoma a national contender year in and year out.
One of Stoops’ most significant coaching moves was bringing in Brent Venables as the defensive coordinator in 1999. Venables, who had previously worked under Bill Snyder at Kansas State, quickly turned Oklahoma’s defense into one of the most feared units in the country. His aggressive, hard-hitting style fit perfectly with Stoops’ overall philosophy, and together, they built a defensive juggernaut that was crucial to the Sooners’ success.
Venables’ time as Oklahoma’s defensive coordinator was marked by a reputation for developing elite linebackers and defensive players who could pressure the quarterback and stop the run. Under Venables, Oklahoma became a defensive powerhouse, a reputation that continued even after Venables left to become the defensive coordinator at Clemson in 2012. There, he helped turn the Tigers into one of the most feared defenses in college football, winning two national championships and producing some of the best defensive units in recent memory.
Brent Venables’ Return to Oklahoma
When Lincoln Riley departed for USC in 2021, Oklahoma needed a new direction. Enter Brent Venables, who was hired as the head coach in December of that year. Venables’ return to Oklahoma was met with widespread excitement and optimism, as fans and analysts alike hoped that his defensive expertise could bring the Sooners back to prominence on that side of the ball.
Venables inherited a defense that had been underperforming in recent years. Under Riley, the Sooners had become an offensive juggernaut, but their defense had not kept pace, leading to a series of disappointing losses in big games. Venables’ challenge was to restore the defensive identity that had been such a critical part of Oklahoma’s success in the early 2000s.
In his first season as head coach, Venables made immediate changes to the defensive personnel and scheme, focusing on building a unit that could pressure the quarterback, stop the run, and force turnovers. While the 2022 season showed promise, with Oklahoma improving on defense throughout the year, it was clear that Venables was still in the process of reshaping the defense to his liking.
Venables Calling the Defense in 2025
As the 2025 season approaches, Venables’ role as both head coach and defensive play-caller is a topic of significant discussion. There is no doubt that Venables is one of the best defensive minds in college football, and his passion for defense is well-documented. However, as Oklahoma’s head coach, Venables is also responsible for overseeing all aspects of the team, including offense, special teams, and recruiting.
This is where Bob Stoops’ recent statement comes into play. Stoops, who knows the pressures of being both a head coach and a defensive strategist, weighed in on Venables’ dual role, offering a strong perspective on how Venables should approach calling the defense moving forward.
In his statement, Stoops emphasized the importance of balance for Venables in 2025. While he praised Venables for his defensive acumen and understanding of the game, Stoops expressed concern that Venables might be spreading himself too thin by continuing to call the defense while also managing the overall direction of the program. Stoops noted that being a head coach requires a significant amount of time and energy, and that the demands of overseeing the offense, defense, special teams, and recruiting could detract from Venables’ ability to focus solely on the defense.
“Brent is an exceptional defensive coach,” Stoops said. “I’ve worked with him for years, and I know how much he understands the game and how passionate he is about coaching defense. But being a head coach is different. It’s not just about the defense—it’s about managing everything. And you need to make sure you don’t burn yourself out. I think it’s important for Brent to focus on the bigger picture, and if that means bringing in someone to help with defensive play-calling, then that’s what he should do.”
The Importance of Delegation
Stoops’ message is a clear endorsement of the importance of delegation for Venables in 2025. In today’s world of college football, head coaches often have to juggle multiple responsibilities, and it’s increasingly common for them to rely on assistant coaches to handle certain aspects of the team. While Venables is more than capable of calling the defense, Stoops suggests that he may be better served by focusing on the overall program and allowing someone else to take on the responsibility of calling plays on defense.
This advice is grounded in Stoops’ own experiences. During his time at Oklahoma, Stoops was deeply involved in the defense but eventually shifted much of the day-to-day responsibility for the defense to his coordinators. This allowed Stoops to focus on the bigger picture and manage the overall direction of the team. Stoops was able to balance his defensive roots with his head coaching duties, which ultimately led to sustained success for the Sooners.
For Venables, this balance is crucial. He needs to ensure that he can provide the leadership and direction needed for all aspects of the team while also maintaining the focus and intensity that is necessary to lead a defense to greatness. Stoops’ advice is a reminder that even the best defensive minds need to be able to delegate and trust their staff to execute the vision.
Looking Ahead to 2025
As Oklahoma enters the 2025 season, the Sooners will be looking to build on the foundation laid in the previous seasons. With Venables’ leadership and defensive expertise, the program has the potential to return to its former glory as a dominant defensive force. However, Venables’ ability to delegate and balance his responsibilities as both a head coach and defensive play-caller will be critical to the program’s long-term success.
Stoops’ statement serves as a reminder that coaching is about more than just X’s and O’s—it’s about managing people, resources, and responsibilities effectively. As Oklahoma’s defense continues to evolve under Venables’ guidance, the question of who will call the defense in 2025 remains one of the most significant questions surrounding the program.
If Venables is able to strike the right balance, Oklahoma could be poised to once again dominate on defense and compete for national championships. However, if he continues to take on too much responsibility, it could hinder the program’s progress. Bob Stoops’ strong statement regarding Venables’ role is an important one, providing valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for Oklahoma as they look to return to the top of college football.
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