Completed Event: Football versus Illinois State on August 30, 2025 , Win , 35, to, 3
Final
Football
35
vs Illinois State
3
University of Oklahoma Athletics
Photo by: Peyton Martin/University of Oklahoma
Venables Announces Defensive Staff Change
January 04, 2024 | Football
NORMAN — University of Oklahoma head football coach Brent Venables announced Thursday that OU and defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Ted Roof have mutually agreed to part ways.
Roof spent the last two seasons with the Sooners.
"I have the utmost respect and appreciation for Ted," said Venables, who hired Roof from Clemson in December 2021. "I told him Wednesday I made a decision to go in a new direction at defensive coordinator and offered him an opportunity to remain on our staff in a different role. He explained that he has a deep desire to keep coaching and will look to do that at a different school.
"Ted is an incredibly knowledgeable coach and teacher, and his players love playing for him. Our program is thankful for his extreme dedication the last two seasons and for helping make us better."
After ranking 98th in scoring defense (30.0 ppg) and 121st in total defense (461.0 ypg) in 2022, OU improved in both categories in 2023, ranking 46th (23.5 ppg) and 78th (389.4 ypg), respectively. It also ranks second nationally in 2023 in interceptions (20), sixth in turnovers gained (26), seventh in tackles for loss per game (7.5), eighth in tackles for loss per game (7.3) and 14th in third-down conversion percentage defense (.311; up from .409 in 2022).
Venables said a search to fill the defensive coordinator position will begin immediately.
Roof spent the last two seasons with the Sooners.
"I have the utmost respect and appreciation for Ted," said Venables, who hired Roof from Clemson in December 2021. "I told him Wednesday I made a decision to go in a new direction at defensive coordinator and offered him an opportunity to remain on our staff in a different role. He explained that he has a deep desire to keep coaching and will look to do that at a different school.
"Ted is an incredibly knowledgeable coach and teacher, and his players love playing for him. Our program is thankful for his extreme dedication the last two seasons and for helping make us better."
After ranking 98th in scoring defense (30.0 ppg) and 121st in total defense (461.0 ypg) in 2022, OU improved in both categories in 2023, ranking 46th (23.5 ppg) and 78th (389.4 ypg), respectively. It also ranks second nationally in 2023 in interceptions (20), sixth in turnovers gained (26), seventh in tackles for loss per game (7.5), eighth in tackles for loss per game (7.3) and 14th in third-down conversion percentage defense (.311; up from .409 in 2022).
Venables said a search to fill the defensive coordinator position will begin immediately.
Brent Venables Media Availability - 9/16/25
Tuesday, September 16
Ben Arbuckle Media Availability - 9/16/25
Tuesday, September 16
Sooner Football With Brent Venables - 9/14/25
Sunday, September 14
FB Highlights: OU 42, Temple 3
Saturday, September 13
