ATLANTA (Oct. 12, 2026) - 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.
 
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.
 
It took all 60 minutes to settle the 122nd edition of one of the nation's most storied rivalries after Venables and the Sooners kicked a last-second field goal to upset No. 1 Texas 27-24 on Saturday at the Cotton Bowl. Oklahoma turned in a true all-around effort in the victory, scoring a touchdown in all three phases of the game. Dakoda Fields scored the lone Oklahoma touchdown of the first half on special teams, corralling a punt blocked by Danny Okoye in the end zone for the score. The Sooners got their offensive touchdown in the opening seconds of the fourth quarter, when running back Lloyd Avant scored on a two-yard run to knot the game at 17. Peyton Bowen broke the tie just minutes later, when he intercepted a Texas pass attempt and weaved his way through blockers for a 43-yard pick-six to take the lead. After the Longhorns pulled back to even the game at 24, it was Tate Sandell who played hero for Oklahoma, booting a 47-yard field goal as time expired to send the crimson half of the stadium home happy.
 
Saturday's victory marked Venables' second win over Texas since taking over as the head coach of the Sooners in 2022 and gave Oklahoma its 18th victory over the Longhorns in the last 28 meetings since 2000. The victory also marked Venables' highest ranked win as a head coach, and the program's first win over a No. 1 team since upsetting Missouri 38-17 in 2007.
 
Venables has racked up 35 wins in just over four seasons at the helm of Oklahoma. He has guided the Sooners to bowl berths in each of his seasons in Norman, including their first appearance in the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff in 2025. Oklahoma has defeated a ranked team in each of the five seasons under Venables, and a top-10 team in each of the last four.
 
"The only feeling better than beating a rival is defeating a rival when they are ranked No. 1 in the nation," said Chairman of the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation Jim Terry. "Coach Venables and his team have plenty to celebrate this week. We look forward to seeing how they can capitalize on such a big win heading into the second half of the season."
 
Off the football field, Venables' players have had success in the classroom, recording a 997 Academic Progress Rate and a 78 Graduation Success Rate during the 2024 season. The Graduation Success Rate measures the number of student-athletes who graduate from their school within six years of entering.
 
In the community, Venables has built a culture of service focused on creating meaningful impact throughout Norman and across the state of Oklahoma. Sooner student-athletes, coaches and staff consistently support outreach initiatives through the OU SOUL Mission program, participating in school visits, mentorship programs, hospital visits, food drives and numerous local service projects each year. Additionally, Venables continues to champion his long-standing 212 Foundation, which supports single mothers, breast cancer research and education, while encouraging individuals to "care one extra degree" through service and giving back to those facing challenges in communities across Oklahoma.
 
"Coach Venables had his team ready to play in all three phases on Saturday, with touchdowns scored on offense, defense and special teams," said Peach Bowl, Inc. President and CEO David Epps. "He has also established Oklahoma as one of the nation's most complete football programs, with a strong commitment to excellence on the field, in the classroom and throughout the community."
 
Managed by Peach Bowl, Inc., The Dodd Trophy, college football's most coveted national coaching award, celebrates the head coach of a team who enjoys success on the gridiron, while also stressing the importance of scholarship, leadership and integrity – the three pillars of legendary coach Bobby Dodd's coaching philosophy. The award was established to honor the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division 1A) head football coach whose program represents the highest ideals on and off the field.
 
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 2026 season. The winner of the 2026 Dodd Trophy will be announced in Atlanta during the week of the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.