Brent Venables Assembles Powerhouse Defensive Staff for 2025 Season
NORMAN, Okla. — If experience and knowledge truly define dominance, then Oklahoma’s defensive coaching staff is now one of the most formidable forces in college football.
With Brent Venables facing the pressure of leading Oklahoma into the SEC, he has responded by assembling one of the deepest and most accomplished defensive staffs in the nation.
At the forefront is Venables himself, a two-time national championship-winning defensive coordinator at Oklahoma and Clemson. His defensive mind earned him the head coaching job, and now, he’s taking full control.
Venables to Call Defensive Plays in 2025
Venables made it official last week—he will personally take over defensive play-calling duties this season.
“Since I was hired as head coach, we have carefully assembled the defensive personnel and scheme that is suited to compete at the highest level, and we’ve built a deep and talented roster ready for the moment,” Venables said in a statement.
“I have high expectations for our program and will do everything in my power to achieve our goals for our players. To that end, I will take over defensive play-calling responsibilities for the 2025 season.”
Six Former Defensive Coordinators Now on OU’s Staff
With the official hiring of Nate Dreiling (Inside Linebackers) and Wes Goodwin (Assistant Linebackers/Outside Linebackers), the Sooners now boast a staggering six defensive coaches with previous coordinator experience.
- Todd Bates (Co-Defensive Coordinator / Associate Head Coach / Defensive Tackles Coach)
- Jay Valai (Co-Defensive Coordinator / Assistant Head Coach for Defense / Cornerbacks and Nickelbacks Coach)
- Brandon Hall (Safeties Coach, former DC at Troy, Jacksonville State, and Central Oklahoma)
- Wes Goodwin (Assistant Linebackers Coach, former Clemson DC)
- Nate Dreiling (Inside Linebackers Coach, former DC at Utah State, New Mexico State, and Pittsburg State)
OU Lands Experienced Defenders from Powerhouse Programs
The Sooners’ latest hires bring elite experience.
- Wes Goodwin was Clemson’s defensive coordinator, stepping in after Venables left for Oklahoma in 2022. Despite his firing after three seasons, Clemson still won the ACC Championship and made the College Football Playoff, ranking among the nation’s top 25 in takeaways, interceptions, fumbles recovered, and tackles for loss.
- Nate Dreiling, despite being just 34 years old, already has five years of defensive coordinator experience and spent last season as Utah State’s interim head coach.
- Todd Bates worked alongside Venables at Clemson, coaching three first-round NFL Draft picks and now serving as OU’s defensive tackles coach.
- Jay Valai has coached at Alabama, Texas, Rutgers, and with the Kansas City Chiefs under Andy Reid in 2018.
A Staff Built for SEC Success
The sheer depth and experience on Oklahoma’s defensive staff signal Venables’ all-in approach to competing in the SEC. Having six former defensive coordinators on one staff is nearly unheard of, but it speaks volumes about the belief in Venables’ vision.
With the Sooners’ move to college football’s toughest conference, Oklahoma is stacking the deck defensively—and Venables is making it clear: He’s ready to lead the charge.
