Brent Venables National Coach of the Week After Texas Upset
Brent Venables Named National Coach of the Week After Oklahoma's Stunning Win Over Texas
Oklahoma head football coach Brent Venables has been named the Paul "Bear" Bryant National Coach of the Week following the Sooners' dramatic 27-24 victory over No. 1 Texas in the Red River Rivalry on Saturday, October 10, 2026. The national recognition follows one of the most memorable comeback victories in Oklahoma football history.
The Brent Venables National Coach of the Week honor recognizes his leadership as the unranked Sooners overcame a 17-7 halftime deficit to defeat the nation's top-ranked team. Fifth-year kicker Tate Sandell sealed the victory with a 47-yard field goal as time expired, giving Oklahoma its first win over a No. 1 opponent while entering the game unranked.
Brent Venables National Coach of the Week Honor Follows Historic Upset
According to the American Heart Association's Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards, Venables earned the weekly recognition for guiding Oklahoma to an exceptional victory against its biggest rival.
The Sooners entered halftime trailing by 10 points but responded with 17 unanswered points, taking a 24-17 lead with 10:07 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Oklahoma's rushing attack also improved dramatically following halftime adjustments. After recording just one net rushing yard in the first half, the Sooners gained 80 yards on 12 carries in the second half.
The victory ended Oklahoma's four-game losing streak against top-ranked opponents and marked the program's first win over an AP No. 1 team since 2007.
Sooners Deliver Touchdowns on Offense, Defense and Special Teams
The University of Oklahoma football program received contributions from all three phases of the game.
Defensive back Peyton Bowen returned an interception 42 yards for a touchdown, while Dakoda Fields recovered a blocked punt in the end zone for another score.
The blocked punt touchdown was Oklahoma's first since 2019, providing a crucial boost in a game where offensive production was limited.
After Texas tied the game at 24-24, Sandell delivered the game-winning kick as time expired, completing Oklahoma's remarkable comeback.
Bear Bryant Award Honors Coaching Excellence and Heart Health
The American Heart Association presents the Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards annually to recognize outstanding college football coaching while supporting cardiovascular health awareness and research.
The awards honor legendary Alabama coach Paul "Bear" Bryant, who died of a heart attack in 1983, just 28 days after retiring.
A committee of national college football media members selects the weekly recipients, with recognition continuing throughout the season ahead of January's annual awards ceremony.
Venables and the Sooners now turn their attention to another Southeastern Conference challenge when Oklahoma hosts No. 15/17 Kentucky on Saturday, October 17.
Additional information about the awards and upcoming ceremony is available through the official Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards organization at bryantawards.org.
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