Oklahoma hopes to regain toughness as Sooners program ushers in a new era under Brent Venables

Venables became the first outside hire at Oklahoma since Bob Stoops took over the Sooners in 1998

Oklahoma begins a new era this week as Brent Venables opens his inaugural spring camp as a head coach. The Sooners were forced to conduct their first external coaching search since 1998 after Lincoln Riley shockingly left for USC, leaving Venables as the new man tasked with leading the program to contention. 

Riley set a high bar at Oklahoma, posting a 55-10 record in five seasons and failing to win 10 games only during a pandemic-shortened 2020 season. However, Venables has deep ties to Oklahoma after co-coordinating the defense on Stoops' national championship team in 2000 and a long history of success in his own right. After years of turning down some prominent head-coaching opportunities, guiding the Sooners turned out to be the perfect fit. 

Between Oklahoma and Clemson, Venables has been part of 12 straight teams that won at least 10 games, winning 13 conference championships and three national championships in 23 years between the two locales. Now, Venables is tasked with bringing mojo back to Norman after a disappointing 2021 campaign and the emotions of Riley's departure. 

Here's what to watch as Venables begins his first spring practice sessions as Oklahoma coach. 

Offseason changes

For the first time since 1947, an Oklahoma coach left Norman for another college football job. The Sooners, however, nabbed a no-brainer replacement. Venables becomes the fourth straight hire in Norman without prior head-coaching experience, but the last two -- Riley and Bob Stoops -- elevated Oklahoma back to national title contention. 

Four assistants stayed on staff during the regime change, including prized offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh. Additionally, the Sooners nabbed rising star and former OU player Jeff Lebby at offensive coordinator after he led Ole Miss to the nation's No. 6 total offense. Lebby served eight years under former Baylor coach Art Briles, and he should maintain a high-powered offense in Norman. 

Defensively, Venables is considered arguably the top Xs and Os defensive mind in college football after constructing championship-level defenses at Clemson and producing eight first-round NFL Draft picks since 2015. Former Duke coach Ted Roof will coordinate the defense, but Venables' fingerprints will be all over it. Ace recruiter Todd Bates joins the staff, too.

The Sooners have recruited well over the past five years, but they're losing a tremendous amount of production. Ten position players were invited to the NFL Combine, while eight major contributors left via the transfer portal. None were bigger than quarterback Caleb Williams, one of the top freshman quarterbacks in the nation. Venables added some key transfers of his own, but 2022 represents a reset. 

Names to know

• Dillon Gabriel, quarterback: After losing Caleb Williams and Spencer Rattler to the transfer portal, the Sooners quickly reached out and nabbed Gabriel from UCLA (circa UCF). The Hawaii native struggled with injuries in 2021 but previously ranked among the most productive quarterbacks in the nation. As a sophomore, Gabriel completed 60% of his passes for 3,570 yards, 32 touchdowns and just four interceptions. The Big 12 represents a step up in competition, but Gabriel should benefit from teaming up with Lebby, his former OC and position coach at UCF. 
• Marvin Mims, wide receiver: Mims was a Freshman All-America pick after starring in 2020 but only matched his totals as a sophomore with 705 yards receiving and five touchdowns thanks to the rotation at quarterback. With the Sooners' next four receivers gone, Mims becomes the linchpin in Lebby's new passing attack and must quickly be the alpha so that Oklahoma's offense doesn't miss a step. 
• Justin Broiles, defensive back: With 44 career games already under his belt, Broiles is using his extra year of eligibility, and the Sooners desperately need the help following the departure of two safeties to the NFL. Broiles posted 55 tackles and two picks in 2021 and leads all returning OU contributors in coverage grade, per PFF. While he played most of his time at slot corner, Venables could try him out in different roles to get the solid defender on the field at a position of need. 

Spring outlook

Oklahoma has historically been known as a defensive powerhouse, dating back to legends like Brian Bosworth, Lee Roy Selmon and Roy Williams. After the high-flying offenses of the Riley era, Venables' first spring will be a factory reset of sorts. 

The Sooners have recruited well defensively, but results have been mixed at best. The Sooners ranked No. 76 in total defense and No. 60 in scoring defense during an 11-2 campaign, giving up at least 30 points to Tulane, Kansas State, Texas and TCU. To bring back some of the physical edge, Venables snatched strength coach Jerry Schmidt back from Texas A&M after four years away. 

But while the coaching and development staff is proven, the roster is not. Six defensive starters are off either to the NFL or the transfer portal, including the leaders in every major statistical category. Additionally, the Sooners are expected to implement a true even front after using Nik Bonitto as a fourth stand-up pass rusher under Alex Grinch. 

Transitioning the front seven will be a top priority in spring camp. Defensive tackle Jalen Redmond gives the Sooners a sure thing in the middle, but much will be asked of Tulane transfer Jeffrey Johnson in the other spot. Marcus Stripling showed some flashes behind Bonitto, but it's unclear whether he will move to a hand-in-the-dirt rush role or to a 4-3 linebacker. Finding a positional fit will be a key task. Integrating three transfers to a shaky defensive back room only makes the balancing act more tenuous. 

Offensively, the partnership of Gabriel and Lebby gives Oklahoma a known offensive commodity, but questions abound elsewhere. The Sooners lost two starting offensive linemen from an inconsistent unit, along with their top running back and four of the top five receivers. Mims is back to lead the receiving corps and Drake Stoops developed into a reliable slot threat. Running backs Eric Gray and Marcus Major have played major snaps. Still, spring practice could include some musical chairs until Lebby finds 11 players he can rely on long term. 

The expectations at Oklahoma are clear. Success is winning a national championship, if not multiple. With an SEC entrance on the horizon, Oklahoma needs a smooth transition into the Venables era. The number of new faces both on the field and the sideline means spring practices will be among the most consequential in college football heading into the 2022 season.