Tramel's ScissorTales: Will Brent Venables give Jeff Lebby free rein with up-tempo offense?

OU has a new head coach in the defensive-minded Brent Venables and a new offensive coordinator in the up-tempo Jeff Lebby. 

Sooner fans’ minds always are churning. So I got an email last week from reader Brett Pate, who asked a great question. 

“Can we read anything into past OU coaching regimes and pundits both saying that up-tempo/hurry-up offenses hurt defenses — while OU’s current coach and extremely respected defensive mind, Brent Venables, hires Jeff Lebby, and gives him the green light to run a hurry-up offense?” 

Fabulous question. I generally believe that up-tempo and hurry-up offenses do indeed work to the detriment of your own defense. I’ve seen it too many times to think otherwise. 

Venables knows all that, of course. The key question is, how will he view it as a head coach? He’s only viewed the up-tempo offense trend from a defense coordinator’s perspective, at least until last December. 

Perhaps he thinks it’s worth it, on balance. Clearly he think it’s worth it.  

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And Venables has lived it. Venables knows the impact well. I still remember the game that enlightened me. OU waxed Kansas State 58-35 back in 2008, and Sooner fans were aghast at Venables’ defense. 

OU led 55-28 at halftime. K-State quarterback Josh Freeman threw for 478 yards. The Wildcats had 550 total yards. 

But those were the early days of Kevin Wilson’s up-tempo offense. Fans didn’t understand what they were seeing. They were watching extra football. 

Kansas State had 17 possessions that day in Manhattan. Seventeen! Eleven in the first half. That same day in Austin, Texas, the Longhorns survived OSU 28-24. Good, solid performance by the Cowboys, especially a beleaguered defense, going up against the Colt McCoy gang. 

But nobody was paying attention to how those games were played. Texas had eight possessions that entire game. The Cowboys allowed touchdowns on half of them. Venables’ defense allowed touchdowns on 29.4 percent of K-State's possessions. 

Over the years, the hurry-up and up-tempo offenses spread far beyond the Big 12, even to the point that Nick Saban and Alabama embraced them. The Crimson Tide even was victimized by the hurry-up, particularly by Clemson, which scored 40 and 44 against Alabama in national championship games. 

But the no-huddle offenses come at a cost. It affects your own defense, making those guys play many more snaps, inflicting not just a physical toll but a mental toll. Clemson scaled back on the tempo in recent years. 

Venables has been at Ground Zero for much of the no-huddle revolution. Those early days at OU, then the spread to the previously-traditional camps. 

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Now he’s back with the Sooners, where Lincoln Riley indeed slowed the OU offense in recent years. For good reason. 

OU’s defense has been under siege lo these many years, and frankly, it hasn’t approached its previously lofty standards of the century’s first decade. I can understand why Riley tried to prop up his defense – again, both physically and mentally. 

Now Venables has hired Lebby, and Lebby is completely clear that he wants to play fast. The up-tempo offense was a calling card of Art Briles’ Baylor teams, and Lebby was with Briles at Baylor and became his son-in-law. But Lebby has had his own offenses at Central Florida, Ole Miss and now OU, and fast-paced is Lebby’s desire. 

During spring practice, OU defensive ends coach Miguel Chavis expressed confidence in Lebby’s ability to see the broad picture. 

“You know, coach Lebby is an offensive guy, but he's a football guy,” Chavis said. “To be a good coordinator, you have to know the other side of the ball.”  

Of course, it’s not Lebby’s job to look out for the OU defense. That’s Venables’ job. 

The question becomes, will Venables hold some reins on Lebby, in deference to the defense? Or will Lebby go all 2008 and grind opposing defenses into exhaustion, which could do the same to the Sooner defense? 

The only thing more demoralizing than getting a defensive stop, then having to be back on the field four Earth minutes later, is giving up a touchdown, then having to be back on the field four Earth minutes later. 

We won’t know how the Venables/Lebby assault will play out until the tackling starts in autumn. 

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But Venables has indicated he believes OU’s up-tempo offense will help OU’s defense. 

“It creates a sense of urgency about all of the pre-snap procedural things from the sideline to the field to the communication to getting lined up with urgency,” Venables said of practicing against Lebby’s offense. “I love it. 

“I love all of it because it challenges things that are, in some ways, out of your control as a coach. The players need to buy into my pre-snap procedures. To me, the challenge every day and every play is to take away something to neutralize something that they view as a strength.” 

Venables said he challenges both sides of the ball. He wants Lebby’s offense to be as quick as it can. 

“That's great if they can get to a pace where, next thing you know, they're dragging people up and down the field,” Venables said. “That’s the goal. That's the mindset. You want to taste blood. You want to go for the jugular.” 

Venables was just getting started. He said the up-tempo offense has all kinds of residual positive effects. More snaps in practice leads to more repetitions and more conditioning opportunities. 

“It really challenges you both physically and mentally and develops a toughness that you have to have to play this game when you're practicing at a really tough, challenging pace,” Venables said. 

OK. I’m on board. I was among the legions trying to figure out why Riley didn’t turn up the speed on his 2021 offense. 

But I also remember 2008. And I remember how a defense got beat down, play after play, game after game, year after year, and suddenly, OU’s defensive identity was gone. 

It’s Venables’ job to restore that identity and not let OU’s own offensive pace impede it again. 

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NBA Lottery Show awkward 

The NBA Lottery show was must-see television – for fans of the Thunder and Magic and Rockets and Kings and Pistons and whoever else had a sliver of hope that the ping-pong balls might fall their way. 

But it was not riveting television. It was awkward and wince-inducing TV. Sort of like ESPN’s Heisman Trophy Show each December. 

The ESPN panelists were entertaining enough – Adrian Wojnarowski, Kendrick Perkins and Jay Bilas talking about the top prospects was good information. Perk, especially. I never get tired of hearing Gran Torino talk. 

But for reasons that aren’t clear, the NBA had some of the top prospects at the lottery. Host Malika Andrews kicked it down to the floor, where ESPN draft analyst Mike Schmitz gave his synopsis, including the idea that Chet Holmgren should go overall No. 1. Which is fine. Lots of people feel the same way. 

But Schmitz offered those assessments while standing alongside Holmgren and the other top two prospects, Paolo Banchero and Jabari Smith. 

Awkward. Schmitz asked each guy one question, and they gave stock answers. The group interview never is a good idea. 

Then Schmitz brought in David Robinson, the Spurs’ representative and the overall No. 1 pick in the 1987 draft. Schmitz asked a bad question – advice for the top prospects – but Robinson being Robinson, he gave a good answer. 

Quick tutorial for prospective journalists — “what’s it like?” is never a bad way to go. Ask Robinson what’s it like to be watching the lottery, knowing your future is tied up in which card is turned over? 

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I YouTubed the 1987 draft lottery, which came down to the Suns and the Spurs. San Antonio won the lottery, which meant the Spurs were in line to take Robinson, who clearly was a future star. 

But Robinson was from the U.S. Naval Academy, which meant he had a two-year military commitment. CBS’ James Brown – yes, the same James Brown still hosting “The NFL Today” -- asked Spurs general manager (and Oklahoman) Bob Bass if the two-year wait gave the Spurs pause on Robinson. 

“We’ve waited 14 years, what’s two more?” Bass responded. 

That’s good television. We saw little of that Tuesday night. 

It’s not all ESPN’s fault. The format is weak. Having team representatives sit on a dais, when most of the franchises have little chance of winning the lottery, makes for discomfort. Especially when players are involved. 

Among the representatives were P.J. Washington (Hornets), Damian Lillard (Trail Blazers) and Domantas Sabonis (Kings). Andrews interviewed Lillard, and that was OK. But none of the players seemed thrilled to be there, and why should they be? 

It’s like the Heisman show. Thirty minutes or an hour of television, waiting for one announcement. 

And as NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum started revealing the draft order in reverse, the screen stayed on Tatum’s smiling face. 

Why not use cutaways to the players? When the Kings jumped up to at least No. 4, the reaction on the faces of Holmgren, Banchero and Smith would have been quite revealing. Their reactions from fourth to third to second to one, same. 

The lottery has some dramatic elements to it. Show us the drama. Switch to some watch parties – were there watch parties? I’m told Jones Assembly had one in downtown OKC – might be interesting. 

Anything to get us through the 25 minutes waiting to find out who’s drafting No. 1. 

The NBA Draft Lottery show is bad television. But we’ve got to watch. Help us get through it next year, ESPN. 

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Mailbag: Thunder draft prospects 

The NBA Draft Lottery was kind to the Thunder; OKC gets the No. 2 pick in the 2022 draft. But Thunder fans are thinking far beyond the No. 2 pick. 

Ray: “Keep your ear to the ground about an 18-year-old French prospect named Ismael Kamagate. He is a 6-11 center who is reportedly a generational talent who plays for Paris Basketball in France. I’m sure Presti is well aware of him, and will certainly bring him to OKC for a tryout.” 

Tramel: I never had heard of Kamagate until Wednesday morning, when ESPN’s latest mock draft had him going to the Thunder at No. 34, early in the second round. 

Kamagate is not a generational talent, at least so far as anyone knows, else he wouldn’t be going 34th in a mock draft. 

Kamagate already is 21 years old, which makes him older than most international prospects.  

Playing for Paris Basketball in France’s Jeep Elite League this season, Kamagate averaged 11.4 points and 6.2 rebounds a game. He attempted no 3-point shots, so Kamagate is not a floor-stretcher. 

I have no idea if the guy can play, but clearly he’s on some draft boards. 

But Ray, I wonder if you have Kamagate mixed up with 7-foot-2 Frenchman Victor Wembanyama, who apparently is a transcendent talent? Wembanyama is only 18 years old and won’t be eligible for the NBA Draft until 2023. 

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The List: Juco quarterbacks 

Tyler Junior College quarterback General Booty is headed to OU, with a name for the ages, but the odds are long that Booty will make an impact with the Sooners. Junior-college quarterbacks don’t have a deep history of OU success. And the same is true at OSU.  

Here are the eight juco quarterbacks at OSU and OU who saw much playing time at all, ranked in order of effectiveness: 

1. Josh Heupel, OU, 1999-2000: The story is well-told. Heupel came from Snow Junior College and ignited the Sooners’ Air Raid transformation before leading OU to the 2000 national championship.  

2. Tony Pounds, OSU, 1970-71: Transferred from New Mexico Military Academy and became a two-year Cowboy starter, although as a senior he shared time with sophomore Brent Blackman. Pounds set a variety of OSU passing records, and while his numbers are ghastly by modern standards – 20 touchdowns, 36 interceptions, 47 percent completions – they were about the same as Jack Mildren’s first two seasons at OU (15/23; 47.2 percent). Precision wasn’t a quarterbacking requirement half a century ago. 

3. Garrick McGee, OU, 1994-95: From Tulsa Washington by way of Arizona State (one year) and then Northeastern A&M Junior College, McGee quarterbacked Gary Gibbs’ final OU team, 1994, completing 52.5 percent of his passes for 1,909 yards, eight TDs and 12 interceptions. A year later, Howard Schnellenberger went with redshirt freshman Eric Moore over McGee. 

4. Joey Halzle, OU, 2006-08: Paul Thompson’s backup in ‘06 and Sam Bradford’s backup for two seasons, Halzle was a dependable reliever. He replaced the concussed Bradford early in the 2007 Texas Tech game and played well, completing 21 of 41 passes for 291 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. For his career, Halzle completed 53 of 83 passes for 640 yards, four TDs and two interceptions. He’s now a coach on Heupel’s Tennessee staff.  

5. Andy Loveland, OSU, 1992-93: The Californian originally went to Colorado State before landing at Palomar Junior College in his home state. Then it was on to OSU, where over two seasons Loveland started a few games, completing 37.9 percent of his passes, with one touchdown and four interceptions. 

6. Mike Clopton, OU, 1983-84: The transfer from Mount San Antonio Junior College in California was Danny Bradley’s backup in 1983. Clopton began 1984 the same way and played a little in mop-up duty, then was ruled ineligible for having played minimally at Cal Poly-Pomona in 1979. OU’s stunning 1984 loss at Kansas came when Bradley was injured, Clopton had just been ruled ineligible and the Sooners had to resort to 17-year-old freshman Troy Aikman at quarterback. Clopton for his career OU completed 15 of 34 passes for 236 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. 

7. Joe Phears, OSU, 1996-98: The Pasadena (California) Community College transfer played sparingly (five of six passing, 74 yards) but was talented. He led the Arena2 League in passer rating in 2002. 

8. Ethan Bullock, OSU, 2020-21: Transferred from City College of San Francisco, Bullock got a quick chance in 2020, when Spencer Sanders was injured in the season opener against Tulsa. Bullock completed eight of 13 passes for 41 yards and an interception, but freshman Shane Illingworth finished the game, started the next week and became Sanders’ backup. Bullock entered the transfer portal after last season, leaving OSU with 13-of-23 passing, 90 yards and one interception.  

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UCO, Rogers State battle for World Series berth 

Bedlam is not the state’s only high-level college softball being played in Oklahoma. Heck, it might not be the only Bedlam. 

Rogers State hosts Central Oklahoma in an NCAA Division II Super Regional starting Thursday in Claremore, with the winner advancing to the D-II World Series. 

UCO’s Terin Ritz hit run-scoring singles in both the sixth and eighth innings – both on full-count pitches with two out -- last Saturday as the nationally eighth-ranked Bronchos survived No. 9 Augustana 4-3 in the regional championship game in Edmond. 

Meanwhile, Rogers State came out of the loser’s bracket to sweep fourth-seeded Minnesota State on Saturday, winning 8-2 in 15 innings and 4-0. The 15-inning game was the longest in Hillcat history. 

The teams were tied 1-1 after seven innings and each scored a run in the eighth. Then Rogers State’s Andrea Morales and Minnesota State’s Makenzie Ward continued the pitcher’s duel, with Morales going all 15 innings. Morales pitched out of a bases-loaded, no-outs jam in the bottom of the 11th. 

UCO is 48-11. Fourth-ranked Rogers State is 51-10. The opener of the best-of-three series will be staged at 6 p.m. Thursday, with a 2:30 p.m. Friday game. An if-necessary game will immediately follow. 

UCO swept the regular-season doubleheader from Roger State this season, winning 6-2 and 1-0 in Edmond.

"This group just keeps getting it done,” said UCO coach Cody White. “They battled and scratched for everything they got. Augie has a great team, and it was a struggle, but we found a way. Terin came through with two huge base hits for us. The moment wasn't too big for her. She stayed poised and did her job." 

The D-II World Series will be played May 26-31 in Denver. UCO won the 2013 Division II national title. 

The Bronchos are led by all-conference players Kylee Lynch (pitcher from Chandler), Jacee Minter (outfielder from Edmond North), Amelya Huggins (catcher from Mustang) and Brighton Gilbert (shortstop from Chickasha). 

Rogers State’s Morales, from El Paso, Texas, was the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association pitcher of the year. She has a 31-4 record and a 1.09 earned run average. 

Berry Tramel: Berry can be reached at 405-760-8080 or at btramel@oklahoman.com. He can be heard Monday through Friday from 4:40-5:20 p.m. on The Sports Animal radio network, including FM-98.1. Support his work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today.