By John E. Hoover
NORMAN — Brent Venables has faced Kansas State nine times as an Oklahoma assistant coach.
His OU teams have an 8-1 record against the Wildcats.
Has there been enough time pass, enough water running under the bridge of life, that Venables’ ties to K-State — his alma mater, the Division I program that gave him a shot, the place where he launched his coaching career — that he no longer feels the deep emotional ties he once did?
Absolutely, Venables said.
“I reflect about my my opportunities and my relationships all the time,” Venables said Tuesday during his weekly press conference. “When I think about Kansas State, you know, I go back to when I played there, and the mentors that I had and the wonderful experiences I had in Manhattan.
“But it’s a long time ago.”
The No. 6-ranked Sooners (3-0) and Wildcats (2-1) tangle at 7 p.m. Saturday at OU’s Memorial Stadium in their Big 12 Conference opener. For the Sooners’ first-year head coach, maybe some memories will come rushing back. But maybe they won’t.
Recalling memories last week of past games against Nebraska, Venables twice became choked up and needed a moment to compose his emotions.
There were no such pauses this week.
For the entire story, please visit https://www.si.com/college/oklahoma/football/oklahoma-coach-brent-venables-loves-k-state-but-that-was-a-long-time-ago.
