Dabo Swinney Releases Statement On Brent Venables’ Hiring at Oklahoma

Some have wondered why Dabo Swinney has not commented on Brent Venables departure. The Clemson head coach has now released a statement, choosing to wait for the appropriate time, after the official announcement.

“I am super excited for Brent and Julie and the entire Venables family. Man, he’s not only been a great co-worker and defensive coordinator, but he’s been a great friend.

“I’m so excited for this opportunity for him. He’s been very patient. He’s had many opportunities along the way. This was just the right fit for him and the right time with a lot of familiarity for him at Oklahoma. I know he is well-prepared. It’s been fun for me to watch him really grow since 2012, and I’m excited for Oklahoma because they’re not only getting a good coach, they’re also getting a great man who is going to do it the right way.

“His hiring is a great compliment to our program and to all the great players that we’ve had. I’m going to miss him, but at the same time, I’m also excited about moving forward here and the great opportunity ahead. Today is a great day for Brent and his family and a great day for Oklahoma, and the entire Clemson Family and I are proud of — and thankful for — his 10 years here and the lives he impacted in the process.”

Venables also thanked Swinney, his former players there and the entire Clemson Family at his introduction as the Sooners new head coach.

“Then Coach Swinney at Clemson. Y’all know that we’ve had incredible success there,” Venables said. “The secret sauce there is the people. Like any great family and great organization, it’s the people. And I’ve grown more in these last 10 years holistically as a man, as a husband, as a father, as a coach, as a believer than I have the rest of my life. And I’m just incredibly indebted to their family there. And I wouldn’t be standing here today if it wasn’t a gift for his belief. In Me and his lovely wife, Kathleen and their children. They’re like family.

“To my players at Clemson. Y’all know and the former players that are there. The only reason that I’m standing up here is because of your work, your passion, your love, your commitment and again, I’m just grateful for those relationships.”