College Football: 3 first-year head coaches who could win national title in 2022

3. Brent Venables, Oklahoma

For years, Brent Venables was rumored to be a top head coaching candidate around college football, but for years, he shot them down. He turned down potential opportunities to leave Clemson for a head coaching job but it was probably because he was waiting for the perfect fit.

Oklahoma is that perfect fit.

Venables was the defensive coordinator under Bob Stoops at Oklahoma from 1999-2011 so he has plenty of familiarity with the program. He was hired as defensive coordinator at Clemson in 2012 and held that position until 2021. He decided to head back to Norman when Lincoln Riley suddenly left for the USC job and many believe this is a match made in heaven.

While Oklahoma is losing Spencer Rattler (to South Carolina) and Caleb Williams (to USC), the Sooners are bringing in Dillon Gabriel from the transfer portal and he could be the Sooners’ next prolific passer.

The defense should improve under Venables and the offense should be just fine. Don’t be shocked when Oklahoma makes a playoff push in 2022.