NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Oklahoma’s Brent Venables and Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer have lived under intense microscopes at blue blood programs.
Both replaced highly successful coaches — DeBoer is in his second season with the Crimson Tide after stepping in for the retired Nick Saban and Venables is in his fourth year leading the Sooners following Lincoln Riley’s departure.
Both had impeccable credentials. DeBoer led Washington to the national title game. Venables had won three national titles as a defensive coordinator — one at Oklahoma and two at Clemson — before returning to Oklahoma with great fanfare.
Both have let their teams stumble at times in the views of their insatiable supporters, leading to criticism. And now, both have a chance to bring their programs the kind of success those rabid fans crave. Eighth-seeded Oklahoma (10-2) will host ninth-seeded Alabama (10-3) in a College Football Playoff matchup on Friday night.
Venables said it’s all been worth it to reach his first playoff game as a head coach.