Brent Venables describes how he prepared, researched for the transition to the SEC

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This fall will be a whole new ball game for Oklahoma as it moves into SEC. Brent Venables also knows what comes with the Sooners’ jump to the Southeastern Conference.

Venables discussed what his program has learned and put into their transition to their new conference during their first appearance at the SEC Spring Meetings in Destin. He said that one thing he noticed about their new league is the amount of money each team has, which means they also have to have everyone available.

“Yeah, it’s just very efficient,” Venables said. “Do I know the resources? No one is under-resourced, top to bottom, within the conference – whether it’s staffing, salaries, support staff.”

“From a programmatic point of view, just being very progressive, progressive. How to become better and more efficient in all those different areas,” Venables said. “So again, that’s athletic performance, that’s nutrition, strength and conditioning, our life skills program.”

That’s not just to help teams like Oklahoma find success on the field, though. These resources are also there to create spaces that best benefit their players.

“Creating a connected and healthy environment. Help these guys grow and get them excited,” Venables said. “What are these guys trying to do? This is the most difficult and challenging part of their young lives as they pursue their dreams. We want to try to support them in every possible way.”

As a program, Oklahoma should fit right in with the SEC. Since 2000, OU has won games by double digits in 19 of 24 seasons. That includes a Top-10 ranking in the AP Poll at some point in each of those seasons and Top-10 College Football Playoff ratings in eight of the past nine.

It will be an adjustment, however, as they are in a new conference for the first time since 1928. That’s why Venables and Oklahoma want to be as prepared as possible in all facets to compete immediately in their new home.

“Those are probably the biggest things. Then again, the challenge of building the roster, developing the roster the right way,” Venables said. “It’s really important that we commit the necessary resources to make sure we’re in a competitive place so that it aligns, again, with our vision and our philosophies.”