Brent Venables acknowledges the need for improvement in Oklahoma’s special teams as they transition to the Southeastern Conference. However, he emphasizes that special teams can be an area where the Sooners excel, provided they have the right personnel and coaching strategies. Venables has brought in Doug Deakin for this purpose, impressed by his track record and commitment to the profession. Deakin’s past success aligns with Venables’ vision for Oklahoma’s special teams.
Venables highlights the importance of efficiency, citing Oklahoma’s low ranking in ESPN’s special teams efficiency metrics for 2023. With Deakin now on board, Venables expects a significant improvement. Deakin’s tenure at San Diego State, where his units consistently ranked among the top nationally, illustrates his potential impact. While Deakin’s role at Oklahoma is as an analyst rather than a coach on game days, his expertise will be crucial in devising game plans and coordinating with the coaching staff.
Venables identifies areas for improvement such as consistency in kicking, reducing turnovers, and overall efficiency. He believes that Deakin’s addition will turn Oklahoma’s special teams into a strength, particularly in areas like punt and kick coverage. Overall, Venables sees Deakin’s arrival as a vital step towards enhancing Oklahoma’s performance in special teams.
