The Oklahoma football program has seen a lot of transition and speculation in recent months, particularly regarding the leadership of the team. Former head coach Bob Stoops recently addressed rumors surrounding Brent Venables and the potential pursuit of former Oklahoma assistant coach Jim Knowles, now at Ohio State.
Stoops made it clear that he has a great deal of respect for Venables, who succeeded him as head coach. However, Stoops also noted that the rumors surrounding Venables’ pursuit of Knowles have been exaggerated in the media. According to insiders, while there was brief consideration of Knowles returning to Norman, no formal talks have taken place between Venables and Knowles.
Oklahoma insiders, including those within the athletic department and coaching circles, have also weighed in on the situation. They emphasize that Venables is committed to building his own coaching staff and does not feel the need to rely on past relationships to strengthen the program. They also note that Knowles, while a popular figure in Oklahoma circles, is firmly entrenched in his role at Ohio State and is not expected to leave anytime soon.
As the Sooners continue their preparations for the upcoming season, Venables and his coaching staff are focusing on strengthening the team’s performance and ensuring that they have the right pieces in place for sustained success. The drama surrounding potential staff moves may continue to swirl in the media, but insiders are confident that Venables is taking a methodical approach to assembling his team, with the long-term health of the program in mind.