The latest on Venables (6 p.m. CT update)
(Update, 6:13 p.m.: Just heard back from Venables, via text. “Working through details…” is what he said. So, there’s that. Take it as you will.)
CAMPUS CORNER — Well, it’s been a strange hour or so in the Brent Venables sweepstakes. First he was going. Then he wasn’t. Now we don’t know, but he probably maybe sort of kind of is. Welcome to the 24-hour news cycle, friends. This could all change by the time I post, but post I will, because it’s my job.
Here’s what I just filed for our website, recapping everything as best I could.
By TRAVIS HANEY
NORMAN – After a dizzying hour of conflicting reports, the question with Brent Venables hasn’t changed: Is he staying at Oklahoma or going to Clemson?
The Sooners veteran defensive coordinator was headed east, according to a report Wednesday afternoon on a South Carolina-based website. Clemson’s Scout website, CUTigers.com, said a contract was being prepared for submission to the university board for final approval.
That report was confirmed and advanced by several news outlets, including ESPN.com – which said he had been hired by Clemson.
Minutes later, though, Venables texted two OU media members saying that the report was inaccurate. He even told a Tulsa World columnist that he was staying, although it was unclear whether Venables was joking.
Soon after that, multiple Clemson beat reporters said the chairman of the board indicated there had been no discussions about Venables’ contract. Some of that from David Wilkins, though, could have been semantics about the board’s reception of the contract. He did not flatly deny Venables’ candidacy.
The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier then said athletic director Terry Don Phillips, formerly of Oklahoma State, indicated Wednesday afternoon that a contract offer to Venables had not yet been made.
That went along with what sources had been telling The Oklahoman on Wednesday. According to those at Clemson, Tigers coach Dabo Swinney still planned to interview one or two more candidates – potentially in person.
The flurry of news activity leaves everyone in virtually the same position as earlier in the day, when it was a coin flip whether Venables would stay or leave.
Venables visited South Carolina on Saturday and Sunday with his wife, Julie, exploring the possibility of joining Dabo Swinney’s staff. Pending that board approval, he is expected to make between $750,000 and $1 million a year. (His most recent contract at OU was for $440,000 a year.)
The 41-year-old Venables returned home Sunday night from the interview in South Carolina. Bob Stoops and school officials have been, to some extent, talking with him about staying on staff since he got back.
Venables has been on OU’s staff since Bob Stoops came to Norman. He was the co-coordinator with Mike Stoops until 2004, when he left to become Arizona’s head coach. Venables was in charge of the defense from then until Friday, when Mike Stoops again returned to share the coordinator tag.
Mike and Bob Stoops both adamantly said last weekend that the play-calling responsibilities had not yet been discussed, and Venables would remain involved. Mike Stoops was the principle play-caller when they shared the responsibilities in the initial arrangement.
Oklahoma was ranked 55th this past season in total defense, allowing 376.2 yards a game. That was the second lowest final ranking in Venables’ time at OU, behind only the 2008 season.
The job at Clemson came open when the school parted ways with Kevin Steele, whose defense finished 71st in the country – and gave up 70 points in West Virginia in the Orange Bowl.
= Trav
Tuesday update: Holding pattern for Venables, Clemson
CAMPUS CORNER — Lots of questions today on my live chat about Brent Venables and what he’s going to do. Short answer is, I don’t know yet.
I spoke for a while with a friend of mine in Clemson, and it’s likely one of two prevailing theories during this holding pattern – and both would seem to indicate that Venables is Dabo Swinney‘s guy. (We get to that conclusion from the fact that Venables was the first to interview and visit Clemson’s campus, which happened this past weekend.)
Here are those theories …
1) Venables has an offer and is weighing it, giving Bob Stoops and OU time to talk with him about how responsibilities will be divvied and whether he’ll receive any sort of raise. In other words, the ball is in Venables’ court.
2) Swinney has a couple of interviews — serious, courtesy or something in between — left to do before offering Venables the job. That’s distinctly possible, too. Swinney, I’m told, has been out on the road recruiting yesterday and today. Could he had talked with candidates on the phone? Sure. But if he’s serious about them, I’m sure he’d like to give them the same red carpet, in-person treatment that Venables received.
Wild card: Maybe Venables knew K-State was coming open, and now that’s a factor in this. If nothing else, it could advance the Clemson timeline, if Dabo was dawdling. If Venables still has any desire to be the head coach at his alma mater, perhaps this is the doorway. But that’s complicated, as you know, and Clemson might be the better job, anyway, because of money and how the program is situated in a winnable league. Then again, there’s the pull of the home state and alma mater.
Recruiting note: Running back David Smith of Midlothian, Ill., picked the Sooners over Big 12 rival (?!?) West Virginia a few minutes ago. Smith was in Norman last weekend, visiting with Bob Stoops and Cale Gundy. He’ll provide depth at a position that was suddenly lacking after the transfers of Jonathon Miller, Jermie Calhoun and Brandon Williams (and especially the latter).
What struck me about Smith was his size. He had the same build, roughly, as receiver Kameel Jackson. He’s 6-1, 190, something like that. Tall guy for running back — especially compared to the top three guys, Dom Whaley, Roy Finch and Brennan Clay. Well, I guess Whaley’s not that small (5-10), but over 6 foot is fairly uncommon for a back. He’s lanky.
= Trav
Power Lunch Chat with Travis Haney
Venables Sunday afternoon update: Still in Clemson, OU still waiting
CAMPUS CORNER — Posting here a Brent Venables update I just sent in for the website. Heard bits and pieces last night about Venables being in Clemson. The fact that he’s still there — and speaking with recruits — would seem to indicate he’s serious about the Tigers. And they like him, as well. Venables interviewed in 2008 for the head coaching position that ultimately went to Dabo Swinney.
Here’s the story. I’d expect Venables to make a decision in the next 24 hours, though you never know exactly how this stuff will go. At this point, because of the amount of information out there, OU might even release something if he stays. It’s rare, when that happens, but sometimes it’s done to assure current and future recruits that the coach is invested in the program and doesn’t have one foot out the door.
What’s the best choice for Venables in this instance? Certainly cases for both sides. Just a matter of what he and his family want. If he’s interested in winning a bunch of games and doesn’t care about titles or a big raise, OU is probably the right call. If he’s enticed by something new and the idea of potentially being a head coach one day, Clemson is probably the right place. Just a matter of what’s important to him at this time in his career – and he’s the only one who can answer that.
—
By TRAVIS HANEY
NORMAN – Brent Venables is getting an extended look at the Upstate area of South Carolina.
Oklahoma’s co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach has been at Clemson since sometime Saturday afternoon, according to those familiar with the situation. He has been speaking with school officials about the defensive coordinator opening, vacated earlier this week by Kevin Steele’s departure.
Venables was even going so far to speak with Tigers recruits while he was in town. At least one was left under the impression Venables would soon take the job.
“I feel like he’s going to be the guy,” Clemson safety commit Ronald Geohaghan told TigerIllustrated.com on Sunday. “I think that’s who is going to be our defensive coordinator. He seems cool and down to earth. He takes his job seriously and loves his team, loves his linebackers.”
Sources have indicated Clemson is perhaps willing to pay in the neighborhood of $1 million a year for the new coordinator. The Tigers’ offensive coordinator, former Tulsa assistant Chad Morris, now makes $1.3 million a year.
Venables currently makes about $500,000 at OU. Venables, who arrived at OU with Bob Stoops in 1999, solely held the coordinator title from 2004 until Friday.
That was the time in which Mike Stoops worked as Arizona’s head coach. Bob’s younger brother returned this past week to coach the secondary and again share the defensive chief role with Venables.
It’s unclear how Venables’ responsibilities would change if he did stay, although there’s more than a fair share of speculation that Mike Stoops would again be the principal decision-maker, since he was in the first go-round.
Both Mike and Bob Stoops have adamantly said the roles have not been defined.
Venables and Mike Stoops left Oklahoma City together Friday afternoon to recruit – something that was even indicated in the school’s release announcing Mike Stoops’ rehiring.
Mike Stoops was spotted Saturday night at the Thunder basketball game while Venables remained east, where he still was as of Sunday afternoon.
= Trav
BREAKING: OU announces Mike Stoops hiring, Martinez’s departure
CAMPUS CORNER — It’s finally official. Mike Stoops is in. Willie Martinez is out. Brent Venables is in, for now.
Here’s the release from OU.
I find it interesting that Martinez leaving is, for some reason, played up and Mike Stoops’ coming on board is kind of pushed down the page. Seems to me the Sooners, in an effort of goodwill, buried the lead.
NORMAN, Okla. – Oklahoma Head Football Coach Bob Stoops announced changes to his staff today. Defensive backs coach Willie Martinez has resigned to pursue another position and Mike Stoops will fill the vacancy on the staff and also serve as co-defensive coordinator with Brent Venables.
“Willie has some attractive options and is going to pursue them,” Bob Stoops said. “I appreciate all of Willie’s work here. He represented our program in the right way and will continue to do well in our profession.”
Martinez, while looking ahead, said he was grateful for his time at OU.
“I’ve been presented with some professional opportunities that I want to pursue,” he said. “In leaving Oklahoma, I want to convey my thanks and appreciation to Joe Castiglione, Bob Stoops, the football staff, our players and the Sooner fans. OU has a great football tradition and I am pleased that I’ve had the opportunity to coach here and meet a number of wonderful people. I certainly wish the Sooners all the best going forward.”
Mike Stoops, the younger brother of OU’s head coach, returns to Oklahoma where he coached from 1999-2003 while working with the Sooner secondary. The move will reunite Mike Stoops with Brent Venables, OU’s Associate Head Coach. The two previously served as co-defensive coordinators and authored some of the nation’s best defenses.
“Mike and Brent have a long history and comfort level working together, and have together led some great defenses,” Bob Stoops said.
When Mike Stoops left Oklahoma at the end of the 2003 season, it was to become the head coach at Arizona. He led the Wildcats to a school-record three consecutive bowl appearance and saw his teams post 84 program records.
“We feel very fortunate to have Mike on our staff. Over the past few months, because of the reputation he has built among his peers, he was a highly sought-after coach,” said Bob Stoops. “People across the country recognize his tremendous knowledge of the game and great energy. He will have a very positive impact on our program.”
For Mike, the move is a natural as he returns to Norman where he helped direct a 2000 team that won the national championship with a record of 13-0.
“Obviously, it’s very comfortable to come back to Oklahoma,” he said. “Bob and Brent and I grew up in the profession together and all of that feels very good.”
Individual players under Mike Stoops’ direction excelled during his previous tenure. Roy Williams and Derrick Strait, both defensive backs, became the only players to win both the Nagurski (best defensive player) and Thorpe (best defensive back) Awards in the same season. He observed that players of that caliber often translate into team success.
“You’ve got a chance to win every time you step on the field at Oklahoma,” Mike said. “It’s one of the best situations in all of college football.”
But it’s not necessarily the same Mike Stoops who coached at OU earlier.
“You grow and mature as a person and I believe my experience at Arizona has helped me become a better coach,” he said. “We had to fight through a lot to accomplish several good things, and I grew a lot through that process.”
Mike said that his first priorities are to put a strong finish on the recruiting period and then to meet a new group of players. The recruiting process has already begun.
“Mike and Brent were out the door recruiting together within two hours of Mike’s hiring so we’re off to a good start,” Bob Stoops said.
= Trav
Former Sooners backs landing elsewhere
(Update: Yes. Thank you, Douglas. Calhoun went to San Angelo, in Texas.)
CAMPUS CORNER — As he said he would months ago on Twitter, former Oklahoma running back Jonathon Miller has enrolled at Illinois State.
Now that we’re fairly sure it’s “Jonathon” and not “Jonathan,” as OU referred to him as for two years, I thought the Texas native’s comment was fairly interesting.
“It was just time for me to move on,” Miller said. “Oklahoma is stacked with talent. I had injuries my whole three years there, and that played a role.”
I’m not sure how to take that. Is Miller implying he isn’t talented enough to play at OU? Because he did receive carries in the opener against Tulsa. And he probably would have gotten a lot more if he’d stuck around. Anyway …
Miller was one of three OU backs to leave during the 2011 season. Highly considered freshman Brandon Williams transferred to Texas A&M to be closer to family. Oft-injured Jermie Calhoun left early in the season. I believe he is enrolling somewhere in Texas — Sam Houston, maybe? — but I’ll have to keep digging to recall exactly.
= Trav
Superman stirring things up on Twitter, promises more ‘surprises’ with OU staff
CAMPUS CORNER — Hop on the Oklahoma coaching carousel. We’re all spinning, spinning.
We still don’t have (official) resolution with Mike Stoops‘ hiring or Willie Martinez‘s exit – nor do we know what Brent Venables‘ plan is – but a former Sooners star is ready to throw another dozen logs on the perpetual fire.
I noticed a couple of fans had been asking Roy Williams what he thought about Mike Stoops’ return. He had responded that he was excited about it … and then he added a little something to one of the tweets.
“I think it’s great,” he said. “May be more surprises coming back, too.”
Uh, what? Clarity, please?
roywilliams31 Lol u’ll have to wait and see RT @uneek: @roywilliams31 Like what TRRW?? You can’t tease us like that!
OMG, ROY.
roywilliams31 Cant say but stay tune RT @DanHarrison1985:@roywilliams31 @ousooner4 Mangino??????
The Mark Mangino conspiracy theory has made its rounds the past month or so. Considering OU already has two line coaches, things would really have to get complicated for his return.
roywilliams31 Lol RT @OUnation: @roywilliams31 is Superman going to coach DB’s at OU?
Roy’s having a good time with this, obviously.
So, who knows? But it’s worth mentioning – because it’s Super-man.
It would be interesting if current players aren’t sure what’s going on - Tony Jefferson, for one, has tweeted that – but former players are in the know?
At this point, I wouldn’t be surprised tomorrow to be writing that Josh Heupel is leaving to be a missionary in Antarctica or Venables is getting out of the business to work on jet propulsion theories at NASA.
As Williams says, “stay tune.”
= Trav
3 p.m. update: What’s next for Stoopses, Venables?
CAMPUS CORNER — A fluid day and week around here, to say the least.
Mike Stoops has confirmed his return, says he’s on his way to town – but still nothing official has been put out by the university. Stoops said just before noon that “some formalities” remain.
The clock has evidently run out on waiting for Willie Martinez to land another job. He’s no longer with the school, I was told earlier this afternoon. I’m under the impression he had not been recruiting for OU for, oh, about a week. That’s why you saw promised and promising cornerback De’Vante Harris decommit last weekend.
So, I’m expecting to see something this afternoon/evening or in the morning from OU, regarding the reuniting of the Stoops brothers and Martinez’s status. I’m curious to see how all of that is phrased. I’m fairly sure it’ll say Martinez is “pursuing other professional opportunities” or something to that effect.
Then there’s the Brent Venables curveball. And credit Tulsa’s Dave Sittler for unearthing that new information from Bob Stoops, because I had been told repeatedly, at every turn, that Venables was fine with Mike Stoops coming back. He was interested in getting back to the championship-contender level at OU and saw that as the best means to do so. (You’ve already seen Mike Stoops say things to that effect, as well. He’s referenced or mentioned Venables, by name.)
And maybe Venables really is OK with it, on some levels, but he understands that this would certainly be perceived by, well, pretty much everyone as a demotion. Presuming it is considered in the coaching world that way, maybe that would limit Venables’ opportunities – especially as a head coach – in the future. I could see how Venables might want to avoid that, if he still maintains those aspirations.
I’m under the impression that he does, considering he had at least passing interest in some of the recently filled middle-tier vacancies – a job like Southern Miss, for instance. So, when Venables received interest from major programs to be their defensive coordinator — Auburn … then West Virginia … maybe now Clemson — he was forced to listen. And that’s where we are.
Like every other reporter under the sun, I’ve tried to reach out to Venables. No one’s hearing a whole lot — at least not right now. Sounds as if Venables is weighing his options, and rightfully so. I wouldn’t be surprised if this continued for a few days, maybe even through the weekend — and especially if Clemson is at all an option, since that position only opened today.
It’s intriguing.
At OU, Venables would effectively be second in command to Mike Stoops, even though he had been in control of the defense since 2004.
At West Virginia, there’s some question as to how Dana Holgorsen would divide the authority between Venables and Joe DeForest, just hired Wednesday from OSU.
At Clemson, Kevin Steele had full control and there’s no reason to think the next guy wouldn’t have the same responsibilities. Dabo Swinney, a former receivers coach, sure isn’t going to meddle with the defense.
Venables is doing fine financially at OU, but he would see a bump at either West Virginia or Clemson. Both would probably pay somewhere in the $600-750K neighborhood. Steele’s buyout, for a point of reference, was a reported $1.15 million.
Let’s see where it goes from here … Next move will be OU, I believe, and then Venables.
= Trav
Mike Stoops effectively announces return to OU on Arizona TV station
CAMPUS CORNER — We received no official word from Oklahoma on Wednesday about the return of Mike Stoops to the Sooners’ defensive staff. But it’s coming.
Still skeptical? Here’s an interview Stoops did with an Arizona TV station. Good get tonight for KOLD-TV in Tucson, where Stoops spent the past seven-plus years coaching at Arizona.
(On OU speculation, reports)
“Ultimately going back to Oklahoma was pretty much a natural fit for me. Spending five years there with Bob and getting the opportunity to play in two national championship games, it was pretty special. I have great memories of that and hope that we can rekindle some of those old flames and get back to a championship-level team.”
(On being up for a number of jobs after being fired)
“It was exciting and flattering, especially when you felt so horrible about the way things ended (at Arizona). For me, that’s good for your ego, to know teams respect the way your defenses played and respect a quality coach. It certainly lifted my spirits. You know, these were friends and colleagues I’d worked with or against at different times in my career. These were some of the best coaches in the field. That was a great feeling, and it gives you confidence as you move forward. I’ve certainly learned a great deal from the past 7 1/2 years at Arizona.”
(On Ohio State’s defensive coordinator opening)
“I grew up in Ohio. Urban Meyer is one of the top coaches in the whole profession. Ohio State is a place that can recruit the elite players in all of college. So that was very enticing. Like I said, having the opportunity to work with a guy like Urban Meyer was really exciting to me. I got a chance to spend a day and a half down there with those guys.”
“For me, it was about a fit and where I fit in amongst the staff. That’s why people have to let the process work its way out. You have to be able to identify what your role’s going to be at each particular place. In the end, I just felt the most comfortable with my situation, being with my brother Bob and being at Oklahoma with some great friends and some guys that I’d coached with. The whole defensive staff, we will be the exact same as we started, however many years ago when I left. (After) eight years, the same other three guys will be there that I was there through that period of time. So I’m excited to go back and work with those guys.”
“There were a lot of openings. It’s funny; Bob had talked to Urban on the phone. They talked and just kind of had conversation. Bob let him know that I would love to work with him, if the opportunity presented itself. And Kevin Sumlin‘s a guy at Texas A&M that I originally wanted to hire here at Arizona, to be our first offensive coordinator. Here’s the irony of me coming back to Texas A&M. The possibilities were … you know, me and Kevin had talked. It’s difficult, but, again, your family plays a big role in all this. I certainly feel very comfortable in this position and certainly Oklahoma had a chance to win a national championship every time they step on the field. That’s certainly important to me.”
(On time at Arizona)
“I enjoyed my 7 1/2 years. It was a tough time, but I wouldn’t change anything. I wish we would have won more games, and I’m certainly sorry things didn’t turn out better this year for our seniors.”
= Trav
Report: Mike Stoops in, Willie Martinez out at OU
Then University of Oklahoma co-defensive coordinator Mike Stoops takes a look at the scoreboard in this Nov. 15, 2003 photo, during the first quarter of a Big 12 Conference game in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Jackson Laizure)
CAMPUS CORNER — Still waiting for resolution in the Mike Stoops sweepstakes, but the story is at least inching forward today.
A few minutes ago, ESPN reported that the deposed Arizona coach would return to Oklahoma as a co-defensive coordinator, along with Brent Venables. The report said it could officially happen as early as today, but I’m told not to expect any sort of announcement or release today.
All this has seemingly been headed in this direction for weeks — and, really, since he was fired. It’s become more and more evident that he wants to be back, and that OU would be fine with having him back to coach the secondary. Mike’s presence on the sideline at the Insight Bowl was the signal of all signals, even if brother Bob Stoops downplayed it.
I thought what Bob said the next day — that he’d like his brother back “in the right circumstances” — spoke volumes.
What’s the hold up? From everything I’ve gathered, Bob is trying to give current secondary coach Willie Martinez every opportunity to find another job before making the announcement that Mike is returning. It’s awkward, and becoming more awkward, but that’s the way these January things often go.
Martinez is being given the professional courtesy, but at some point Bob Stoops and OU are going to have to pull the trigger. With Signing Day approaching, I’m sure Bob would like to have the staff set for the final couple of weeks leading up to Feb. 1.
What’s made this thing go? First, it’s Mike’s desire to return. His name was connected to about a half-dozen jobs, and he surely would have landed one, if not for his interest in coming back to OU and again working with his brother.
Here’s an underrated idea that drove this: Venables was fine with it. Brent didn’t let his ego factor into this one bit, from what I understand, and he was always open to having Mike back on the staff. He put team success ahead of his official title or pride, or whatever. I found that interesting when I first heard it about a month ago, and I’ve heard it from several people since then.
The announcement is coming – and coming soon. Just doesn’t sound as if it’ll be today.
= Trav
Mike Stoops’ total defenses at OU
1999 — 39th – 344.4 yards per game
2000 — 8th – 278.9 ypg
2001 — 4th – 262.8 ypg
2002 — 10th – 293.1 ypg
2003 — 3rd – 259.6 ypg
