ATLANTA (Nov. 25, 2024) - Officials from the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc. today announced that Oklahoma head football coach Brent Venables has been selected as The Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week Presented by PNC Bank.
The Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week award honors a football coach who led his team to a significant victory during the previous week, while also embodying the award's three pillars of scholarship, leadership and integrity.
Venables and the Sooners upset No. 7 Alabama 24-3 Saturday night at Gaylord Family–Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. The 14-point underdog Sooners were led by sophomore quarterback Jackson Arnold's 131 yards on the ground, along with freshman running back Xavier Robinson's career night with 107 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Oklahoma broke the game open by scoring 14 points in the third quarter behind Robinson and sophomore linebacker Kip Lewis, who picked off one of Jalen Milroe's passes and ran it back 49 yards to put the Sooners up by three touchdowns. The Sooner defense then sealed the victory over the Crimson Tide, holding Alabama to a season-low three points and 234 yards.
With the victory the Sooners became bowl eligible, extending the program's bowl eligibility streak for the 26th straight season.
Venables is now in his third year at the helm in Norman, posting a 22-15 record with the Sooners, including four wins over top-25 opponents after Saturday's win. Prior to his time as head coach at Oklahoma, Venables also served as an assistant coach and defensive coordinator for both the Sooners and the Clemson Tigers. During his tenure as an assistant coach, Venables helped produce 26 winning seasons, four College Football Playoff National Championship Game appearances and 13 conference titles.
"Coach Venables and the Sooners had a defensive performance for the ages on Saturday in Norman," said Chairman of the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation Jim Terry. "This was a statement win over a College Football Playoff contender and perennial power that shows the Sooners are poised to leave their mark on their new conference."
Off the football field, Venables's players have had success in the classroom during his tenure, recording a 940 Academic Progress Rate and a 77 Graduation Success Rate. The Graduation Success Rate measures the number of student-athletes who graduate from their school within six years of entering.
In the community, Venables "Coach V's 212 Foundation" operates to encourage others to become change agents in everyday life by using the 212 platform as a voice for every Oklahoman. The 212 Foundation was created to provide hope and belief for a pathway of freedom, empowerment, recovery and early detection to meet local needs surrounding issues such as domestic violence, addiction and female-specific cancer research.
"Coach Venables and the Sooners just shook up the College Football Playoff picture and SEC race with a major victory this weekend," said Peach Bowl, Inc. CEO and President Gary Stokan. "In addition to Saturday's marquee win on the gridiron, Coach Venables has also been winning in the classroom and the community since his arrival to Norman, making him the ideal recipient for this honor."
The Dodd Trophy Presented by PNC Bank – along with the Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week Award – celebrates the head coach of a FBS team who enjoys success on the gridiron, while also stressing the importance of scholarship, leadership and integrity.
A panel consisting of all previous winners, national media, a member of the Dodd family and a College Football Hall of Fame member will identify the final list of potential recipients at the conclusion of the 2024 season. The winner of the 2024 Dodd Trophy Presented by PNC Bank will be announced in Atlanta during the week of the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
