University of Oklahoma Athletics
The University of Oklahoma - Oklahoma Football
May 20, 2013 | Athletics
Brent Venables - Assoc. Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers - Tenth Season
Coaching Accomplishments
- Despite facing 10 of the nation's top 50 scoring offenses and losing two key starters to injury, the 2008 Sooner defense ranked among the top three in nearly every Big 12 category. OU was No.3 in sacks and No.18 in rushing defense.
- The 2007 Defense finished second in the Big 12 in both scoring (No. 5 nationally) and total (No.19 nationally) defense facing four of the nation's top-nine offenses, including three of the top five. OU topped the Big 12 in sacks with 32. Coach Venables coached the 2007 AP Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in Curtis Lofton.
- Coach Venables was one of five finalists for the 2006 Broyles Award which was established to honor College football's top assistant coaches. He coached the 2007 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and All-American in Curtis Lofton and the 2006 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and All-American in Rufus Alexander and a host of other conference statistic leaders. The 2006 OU Defense led the Big 12 in total defense (No. 16 nationally), scoring (No.19 nationally) and pass efficiency defense (No. 13th nationally) and was No.2 in rushing defense (No. 16 nationally).
- 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 turnover margin, No. 10 in total defense and No. 14 in rushing defense.
- Coached the Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year in 2002 (Lance Mitchell) and 1999 (Torrance Marshall).
- 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. Oklahoma 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). Coached two-time All-Big 12 and 1998 first team All-American Jeff Kelly while at Kansas State. Kelly also was a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Award. All three members of his 1997 K-State linebacking corps earned all-conference honors, including Kelly (first team), Mark Simoneau (first team) and Travis Ochs (second team).
- Curtis Lofton (Oklahoma), Falcons, First Team All-American, 2007 AP Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year
- Rufus Alexander (Oklahoma), Vikings, 2005 All-Big 12, 2006 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, 1st Team All-Big 12, 2006 1st Team All-American
- Clint Ingram (Oklahoma), Jaguars
- Lance Mitchell (Oklahoma), Cardinals, 2004 All-Big 12, Butkus Award finalist, 2002 Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year
- Teddy Lehman (Oklahoma), Lions, 2003 Butkus Award Winner, Bednarik Award Winner, 1st Team All-American
- Rocky Calmus (Oklahoma), Vikings, 2000 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, 2001 Butkus Award Winner, 1st Team All-American
- Torrance Marshall (Oklahoma), Packers, 1st Team All-American, Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year
- Brandon Moore (Oklahoma), 49ers
- Jeff Kelly (Kansas State), Falcons, 1998 Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year, 1st Team All-American
- Ben Leber (Kansas State), Vikings
- Mark Simoneau (Kansas State), Saints, 1999 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, 1996 Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year, 1998 All-American, Butkus Award Finalist
- Percell Gaskins (Kansas State), Panthers
- Honorable mention All-Big Eight in 1992 after recording 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.
- Kansas Class 5A Defensive Player of the Year by Kansas Sports Magazine.
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