Stoops on first year without Brent Venables: ‘That’s life … It’s OK; We’re all big boys’
NORMAN — Bob Stoops was asked Monday during Big 12 Media Days about beginning his first season as OU’s coach without former defensive coordinator Brent Venables on staff.
“Well, I mean, it’s …” Stoops said, seemingly unsure of what to say.
John Hoover from the Tulsa World, who asked the original question, added, “You’re side by side for 13 or 14 years …”
Stoops responded, “Yeah, but that’s … that’s life; you know?”
After a brief pause, he added, “It’s OK; We’re all big boys,” and chuckled.
Venables left to become Clemson’s defensive coordinator in January. He joined Stoops in 1999, his inaugural OU season, bolting from Bill Snyder’s Kansas State staff.
Earlier Monday, Stoops was candid regarding the defense’s performance over the past couple of seasons.
“In the past couple of years, for whatever reason — and we’ve really looked at it — our defense hasn’t been quite as strong as what we’ve been used to,” Stoops said.
His brother Mike Stoops, who was co-defensive coordinator with Venables from 1999-2003 at OU, rejoined the Sooners in January after a seven-year stint as Arizona’s head coach.
