Brent Venables Associate Head Coach Defensive Coordinator; LBs 11th Season   Football Coaching Staff

Coaching Accomplishments
• Despite facing 11 of the nation's top 50 scoring offenses and losing two key starters to injury, the Sooner defense ranked among the top three in nearly every Big 12 category. OU was No. 4 nationally in sacks and No. 20 in rushing defense.
 
• The 2007 defense finished second in the the Big 12 in both scoring (No. 5 nationally) and total (No. 19 nationally) defense despite facing six of the nation's top-15 offenses, including three of the top five. OU topped the Big 12 in sacks with 32 along with picking up six defensive touchdowns. Coached the 2007 AP Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in Curtis Lofton.
 
• One of five finalists for the 2006 Broyles Award.
 
• Coached the 2006 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in Rufus Alexander. The `06 defense led the Big 12 in total (No. 16 nationally), scoring (No. 19 nationally) and pass efficiency defense (No. 13 nationally) and was No. 2 in rushing defense (No. 16 nationally). OU tied for sixth nationally with 32 turnovers caused.
 
• The 2005 OU defense ranked No. 4 against the rush and No. 13 in total yards. Rufus Alexander and Dusty Dvoracek were consensus All-Big 12. C.J. Ah You was the consensus Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year.
 
• Coordinated a unit that led the Big 12 in 2004 in total defense, rushing defense and scoring defense. The Sooners ranked No. 11 nationally in scoring and rushing defense, No. 13 in total defense. OU held 11 opponents below their scoring and total offense average.
 
• The 2003 Sooners ranked No. 1 nationally in total defense and passing defense, No. 2 in pass efficiency defense, No. 3 in scoring defense, No. 5 in turnover margin and No. 19 in rushing defense.
 
• In 2002, OU was No. 6 nationally in scoring defense, No. 7 in pass efficiency, defense, No. 9 in passing defense, No. 10 in total defense and No. 14 in rushing defense.
 
• Coached the Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year in 2002 (Lance Mitchell), 1999 (Torrance Marshall) and 1997 (Jeff Kelly).
 
• In 2001, the Sooners ranked No. 4 nationally in scoring defense, No. 4 in total defense, No. 5 in pass efficiency defense, No. 7 in rushing defense and No. 11 in passing defense. OU ranked No. 6 nationally in turnovers gained with 33 takeaways for a second straight season.
 
• Oklahoma's 2000 linebackers included Rocky Calmus (first team All-American and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year) and Torrance Marshall (first team All-Big 12).
 
• All three 1997 K-State linebackers were all-conference.
 
Prominent Pupils
• Curtis Lofton (Oklahoma), Falcons First Team All-American, 2007 AP Big 12 Defensive POY
• Rufus Alexander (Oklahoma), Colts First Team All-American, 2006 Big 12 Defensive POY
• Clint Ingram (Oklahoma), Jaguars
• Lance Mitchell (Oklahoma) 2004 All-Big 12, Butkus Award finalist, 2002 Big 12 Defensive NOY
• Teddy Lehman (Oklahoma), Bills 2003 Butkus Award winner, Bednarik Award winner, First Team All-American
• Rocky Calmus (Oklahoma) 2001 Butkus Award winner, 2001 Big 12 Defensive POY First Team All-American
• Torrance Marshall (Oklahoma) First Team All-American, Big 12 Defensive NOY
• Brandon Moore (Oklahoma), Cardinals
• Jeff Kelly (Kansas State) 1998 Big 12 Def. POY, 1997 Big 12 Def. NOY
• Ben Leber (Kansas State), Vikings
• Mark Simoneau (Kansas State), Saints
• Monty Beisel (Kansas State), Cardinals
 
Accomplishments as a Player
• HM All-Big Eight in 1992 with 124 tackles (second on team), including a team-leading 68 unassisted tackles.
 
• Standout LB at Garden City (Kan.) Community College where he was an All-American after recording 276 tackles.
 
• Class 5A Defensive POY, Kansas Sports Magazine.