NORMAN - Jason Witten’s first game guiding Oklahoma’s offense left enough of a mark that Brent Venables is already talking about the “art of the coach.”
That showed up in the way the Sooners practiced Monday, at least according to Tory Blaylock, who called the sessions “more like a professional practice” under Witten. The comparison carries some weight considering Tory’s father, Derrick, spent six seasons in the NFL.
The bigger takeaway is what that comment says about the shift from Witten to the coach who held the role before him, Ben Arbuckle. Venables has not taken shots at Arbuckle, but he has been clear that the change was a “hard and difficult decision” made with the team in mind.
Now, with Witten in place, Venables believes Oklahoma’s offense is getting a clearer framework - one built on purpose and explanation rather than just instruction. He said the new approach has brought more intentionality and less gray area, with everyone working from the same standard.
“I think that there's even more intentionality,” Venables said on Tuesday. “A lot of situational football, and doing it a certain way. Eliminating some gray area, and everybody being at their best, holding everybody to the same vision and standard that Coach Witten wanted them to.”
Venables said that approach has already started to show up in the details of how the offense is being taught. The emphasis, he said, is on making sure players understand the reasoning behind each change and each call, especially in key moments like third down and the red zone.
“Some of those changes, 'Hey, we're going to change this, change that.’ Some of it's very intentional when it comes to, this is how we're going to go win the game on third down; this is how we're going to go win the game in the red zone. And just with really deep thoughtfulness, get everybody to understand what everybody's doing,” Venables said.
It’s still just one game, but Witten has already made a strong impression on both his head coach and the players around him. Venables said last week that Witten’s organization and communication are elite, and that has helped him settle into the job quickly.
“I think, the art of the coach: to get them to understand not only the what, but the why and the when and the if, and what's he doing,” Venables said. “This is why you got to do it this way because of what’s going on around you. And so I think there’s, in a very short amount of time, a lot of that going on too, which leads to just more clarity, more vision, and more self-accountability.”
In Other News...
Oklahoma Waits On Key Line Decision Before Ole Miss Showdown
Oklahomas preparation for Ole Miss has been shaped by the injury report, with offensive lineman Ryan Fodje listed as doubtful after getting hurt on Oct. 17. The Sooners could use the extra help up front in a matchup that figures to test every part of the offense, while cornerback Jacobe Johnson is listed as probable and should give the secondary a needed boost if he is cleared to go.
Ole Miss, meanwhile, is dealing with its own long list of absences, including 11 players ruled out, among them running back Kewan Lacy and guard Patris Kutas. Even with a few Rebels listed as probable or doubtful, the bigger question for Oklahoma is how the line holds up if Fodje cannot make it, because that decision could shape both the protection plan and the way the Sooners attack in a game with plenty on the line. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahoma Just Sent A Blunt Message About Brent Venables Future
Brent Venables may have signed a two-year extension in August, but the bigger message around Oklahoma football has been about stability, not anxiety. The deal pushed his tenure through 2031, came with a salary bump, and significantly increased his buyout, all of which signaled that the university was willing to make a long-term commitment even as the on-field results have fallen short of expectations.
Rick Nagel, the chair of the Oklahoma Board of Regents, added to that picture by publicly saying Venables is not on the hot seat despite the disappointing season. For a program with championship standards and a fan base that does not like to wait, that kind of backing matters, because it suggests Oklahoma is not looking to make a snap judgment about its coach even as the pressure around the program continues to build. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahomas New Look Offense Is Putting More On John Mateer
Since Jason Witten took over as interim offensive coordinator, Oklahomas offense has started to look a little different, and Ole Miss defensive coordinator Pete Golding has noticed. The Sooners are leaning more on pre-snap reads and putting a bigger emphasis on John Mateers legs, a shift that adds another layer for defenses trying to sort out whats coming before the snap.
Mateers recent game against Florida offered a glimpse of both the upside and the pressure that comes with the new approach. His decision-making and rushing stood out, even as he has also thrown interceptions in consecutive games, and Goldings point was clear: when Oklahoma can threaten defenses in multiple ways, it becomes a much tougher operation to slow down. [Read more 🡒]