The Oklahoma Sooners entered this season with some big expectations. Now, nothing crazy, like a National Championship, but they expected to certainly be near the top of the SEC standing by the time the year was over. And, let’s just say they were far from that, with a now 6-7 total record after losing to Navy in the Armed Forces Bowl, and a 2-6 SEC record.
The Sooners are not used to this kind of loss. They have two losing seasons in three years under Brent Venables, and before that, they hadn’t had one since 1998 when they were 5-6. So, this is certainly uncharted territory for a lot of Sooners fans. And, no one is more hard on themselves in the Sooners program than the guy running the show.
Oklahoma Sooners HC Brent Venables takes responsibility
Head coach Brent Venables let it all out after the loss, letting everyone know just how disappointed he is in himself.
“Again, just disappointed,” Venables started as he addressed the media after the loss to Navy. “Obviously, it falls on me. Everything falls on me. If we are dropping it, or not converting fourth downs, missing field goals, or we are giving up explosive runs, everything falls at my feet. So I’m really disappointed in myself. I need to be a lot better. I think that goes without saying. I just have to be a lot better.
“We have a lot of experience coming back. We have a lot of work to do, but we have a great group of guys coming back, a great foundation, and we have recruited well. The coaches need some time off, not me, but the coaches need some time off. Not much because the portal is open, but we have a lot of work to do. But take no solace in that, but I’m hurt for the players because they worked hard.”
Brent Venables bleeds crimson and cream. The Sooners really were thinking the right thing when they hired him to be their head coach. But, unfortunately, it hasn’t worked out just yet. That doesn’t mean it can’t work out, but that it just hasn’t worked out yet.