Brent Venables has built something special in Norman - a defensive staff that’s as sharp as any in college football. And now, with the coaching carousel in full spin, there’s a real possibility that two familiar names could be circling back to Oklahoma: Mark and Mike Stoops.
Mark Stoops was recently let go as Kentucky’s head coach after 13 seasons - a run that made him the winningest coach in program history. Despite that milestone, back-to-back losing seasons prompted a change in Lexington, and now both he and his brother Mike Stoops are looking for their next move. While nothing is official yet, all signs point to Norman as a potential landing spot - and there’s a lot of history that makes that idea more than just speculation.
Mike Stoops, of course, is no stranger to Oklahoma. He and Venables were co-defensive coordinators during the Sooners’ national title run in 2000, working under their brother Bob Stoops.
That trio helped build one of the most dominant defenses of the BCS era, and the connection between Venables and the Stoops family runs deep. Mike eventually left to become Arizona’s head coach in 2003, then returned to OU in 2012 for a second stint as co-defensive coordinator and associate head coach.
Most recently, he spent four seasons coaching inside linebackers at Kentucky under his brother.
Mark Stoops, while never a coach at Oklahoma, is cut from the same cloth - a defensive-minded leader with SEC credentials and a long track record of building physical, disciplined teams. His success at Kentucky - a school not traditionally known for football - speaks volumes about his coaching acumen. And with Venables placing a premium on experience and defensive expertise, Mark would be a natural fit in Norman, whether in an on-field role or as a senior analyst.
What makes this even more intriguing is the timing. Venables came into this season with pressure mounting, and he responded by doubling down on his defense - taking over play-calling duties himself and bolstering an already loaded staff.
The result? A 10-2 record and a defense that’s been among the best in the country, helping vault the Sooners into the College Football Playoff conversation.
Now, with Oklahoma’s stock rising and Venables’ defensive machine humming, the challenge becomes sustaining that momentum. And in today’s game, where programs can stack their staff with as many qualified coaches as they want, adding minds like Mark and Mike Stoops isn’t just possible - it’s strategic. Especially if other schools come calling to poach talent from OU’s current staff, as often happens when success breeds attention.
Whether it’s as co-defensive coordinators, position coaches, or analysts, the Stoops brothers bring decades of experience and a deep understanding of both the Oklahoma culture and what it takes to win at the highest level. And with Venables already having personal and professional ties to both, the path to Norman is wide open.
No moves have been made yet, but if the Stoops brothers do return to the Sooners’ sideline, it would only strengthen what’s already one of the most respected defensive staffs in the country. For Venables, it could be another savvy step in building a program that’s not just winning now - but built to last.