How the balance between Jim Nagy and Brent Venables could produce best version of Oklahoma Sooners yet
As soon as he was introduced as general manager of the Oklahoma Sooners, fans wondered how the balance would work between Jim Nagy and head coach Brent Venables.
Advertisement
While they have each made remarks about each other's role and how helpful the other has been, we've never really seen either be detailed about the balance.
In a recent interview with The Triple Option podcast, Nagy slightly peeled back the curtain on what he is doing to help Venables and his staff.
"I'm here, more than anything, to help the coaching staff and help build this roster, and streamline the process. Everyone says, 'They're trying to go to an NFL model.' And yes, my background is in the NFL. I've never worked in college football before, but I think there's some process things that we've brought to Oklahoma that I think are going to help the evaluation process and certainly the valuation process. We've never had to really value players.
It's going to be a really fun collaboration. It already has been over the last three months, just getting in the building with the coaches. Certainly been energizing for me. I've been out of a football building for the last seven years, running the Reese's Senior Bowl. So just getting around coaches and players again has been awesome.
We're trying to make their jobs easier in places. These college coaches got a lot on their plates… It is going to be a true split structure between Coach Venables and myself. I didn't want to come in here and just blow this thing up, watching tape and maybe not agree with where they were at with some of their assessments on players. We haven't done that.'
While this isn't a full job description of what exactly Nagy is doing, there are a few important things that I took notice of.
I think having that front office in place to help the staff balance and manage things will take a significant load off of this coaching staff. Behind the scenes of last year's disaster season, the staff had to placate players and focus on roster retention for weeks, time that took away from developing, coaching, and building game plans.
Advertisement
Obviously, every staff has to do that, but the front office taking over that responsibility (for the most part) frees up the coaches to actually coach moving forward.
That last paragraph also stands out. Nagy says he "didn't come in here to blow this thing up", which speaks to the point about aiming for true synergy between him and Venables' staff.
With Nagy's NFL background and Venables and co's coaching ability, this could be a massive success for the Oklahoma Sooners if this works out in the long term. It's a unique strategy and therefore risky, but the upside is tremendous.
Related: Why evaluating Brent Venables in the upcoming 2025 season might be more complicated than many Oklahoma fans will expect
View the original article to see embedded media.
This story was originally reported by A to Z Sports on Jul 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
16 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Jason Kelce strips down to tiny speedo for charity event
Jason Kelce's fans may have some more inspiration for risqué tattoos after his latest stunt. The former Philadelphia Eagles star stripped down to just a tiny USA-themed speedo at a charity event in Sea Isle City, NJ, on Wednesday. A photo shared on X from the NFL team's official account showed the retired athlete standing above the crowd in the barely-there swim bottoms. Kelce arrived to the fundraiser in American flag-themed shorts. He then carried a large green beach chair into the center of the crowd. After climbing on the chair and commanding the audience's attention, he dramatically ripped off the shorts to reveal his undergarments. Several attendees were visibly shocked by the display, including multiple women who were seen staring at Kelce in amazement. Kelce, 37, hosted the fifth annual Team 62 at the Ocean Drive celebrity bartending event, which raises funds for the Eagles Autism Foundation. The retired NFL center has pulled similar jaw-dropping stunts at the charity event in his previous years. In 2023, he participated in a beer-drinking contest and wowed the crowd when he chugged 30 ounces of brew in less than six seconds. It appears Kelce is putting his newly acquired sex-symbol status to good use after he making headlines earlier this month for responding to a fan's now-viral pin-up style tattoo in his likeness. Kelce was drawn posing in a kneeling position with his hand behind his head, wearing nothing but cleats, gloves and some padding. However, fans lusting after the married father of four should be warned — his wife, Kylie Kelce, isn't a fan of the drool emoji comments left under his pictures. 'I'm gonna need you to sit down, put your tongues back in your mouth and be respectful. That man is a father to my children,' Kylie chided on last Thursday's episode of her 'Not Gonna Lie' podcast.
New York Times
19 minutes ago
- New York Times
What I'm hearing about the Penguins' Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell trade considerations
PITTSBURGH — Most of the big names available on the NHL's unrestricted free-agency market have been gobbled up. Now comes phase two. Plenty of teams still have salary cap space and a desire to improve before next season. Many of them didn't or couldn't sign impactful free agents, either because they weren't impressed with the crop, they weren't willing to outbid other teams, or their desired players simply weren't interested in signing with them. Advertisement The teams in this position still have options. Two of those options are Pittsburgh Penguins. For now, anyway. Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell remain considerable commodities on the trade market and, league and Penguins sources said, opposing teams still have heavy interest in both wingers. Penguins general manager/president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas doesn't feel like he needs to trade either of the standout veterans. After all, they're terrific talents who enjoy playing in Pittsburgh, Sidney Crosby loves being their linemate, and they're fairly paid. So, if the 2025-26 season begins with both Rust and Rakell on the Penguins' top line, the organization wouldn't see that as a failure. If trading them for high value is the goal, stirring up a bidding war between contenders at the trade deadline in March wouldn't be the worst route. However, league sources say they expect at least one of the wingers to be dealt this summer. The Penguins have been fielding calls about both players since last season ended. The Carolina Hurricanes had interest in Rust and Rakell. Then they signed Nikolaj Ehlers, one of the biggest names on the unrestricted free agency market, to a six-year, $51 million deal last Thursday. Other teams, including the Washington Capitals, were hopeful to sign Ehlers. Had Carolina failed to land the coveted free agent, they would've attempted to pry either Rust or Rakell out of Pittsburgh. Who knows what the negotiations would've looked like if Ehlers signed elsewhere, but the Penguins were prepared to talk business. Dubas isn't eager to trade either player. Rakell, 32, and Rust, 33, are at the top of their game, and both are popular in the Penguins locker room. Rust is one of the more important figures in franchise history, the last member of the 2016 and 2017 Stanley Cup teams not named Crosby, Evgeni Malkin or Kris Letang. Dealing Rust would be a bitter pill to swallow. Dubas is well aware of that. Advertisement However, everyone has a price. Dubas was willing to trade Rakell at the deadline, but only for a huge return. No one came close to his demands back then. His mindset hasn't changed. Other than Crosby, no Penguins player is off limits in a trade. Malkin is a franchise icon and won't be moved, especially at his age. Letang is believed to be essentially unmovable because of his health. If Dubas did trade Rust and Rakell, though, he could gain key pieces for his attempt at a very fast, machine-like rebuild. The Penguins are certainly also willing to trade Erik Karlsson. The veteran defenseman is tricky because of his full no-movement clause, but he's believed to be open to joining certain teams. Rust and Rakell have made it clear they have no interest in leaving Pittsburgh. Rakell was relieved last season when he remained in Pittsburgh after the deadline passed. Rust had a no-movement clause until last Tuesday, so he never had to worry about being traded until now. Despite the Penguins' struggles in recent seasons, the two-time Stanley Cup champion has said he doesn't want to leave. 'I want to be here until we're good again,' Rust told The Athletic during the 2023-24 season. The Penguins have missed the playoffs in three straight seasons. Their blue line is in shambles, while their goaltending is dicey at best. While they've added forward depth and some legitimate talent, such as Anthony Mantha, it's fair to wonder if Dubas is loading up in anticipation of trading a forward or two. Carolina was one team interested in Rust and Rakell, but they're hardly the only one. While Dubas' asking price for either player is unclear, it is believed that a good, young NHL player will need to be part of the return to Pittsburgh. Rust and Rakell have three years remaining on their contracts, so Dubas isn't necessarily in a rush to trade either. He'll need to be blown away by an offer. Advertisement However, the salary cap has risen dramatically, and the NHL is full of teams that consider themselves to be potential contenders. The offers for Rust and Rakell may never be higher than they are right now. Dubas has leverage here. And he's willing to listen. (Photos of Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust: Bruce Bennett, Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)
USA Today
19 minutes ago
- USA Today
Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione planning to retire per reports
Oklahoma Sooners athletic director Joe Castiglione will be retiring at the end of the 2025-2026 academic year, according to a report from ESPN college football's Pete Thamel. Castiglione, who served as the Sooners athletic director since 1998, helped return the Oklahoma Sooners to prominence on the gridiron with the hiring of Bob Stoops. According to Thamel, Castiglione will remain in his role for the next year to ensure the University of Oklahoma has a smooth transition as it searches for and hires his replacement. He'll then step into an emeritus role with the university. One of the longest-tenured athletic directors in the country, Castiglione oversaw an athletic department that won 26 national titles, including a football national championship and eight softball national championships. Castiglione was key in ushering the Oklahoma Sooners into the new era of collegiate athletics and guiding their transition into the SEC. Now, the Sooners begin preparing for life after the man affectionately referred to as "Joe C." The University of Oklahoma will hold a press conference on Tuesday, July 8 to make an official announcement. Joe Castiglione, OU president Joseph Harroz, and OU Board of Regents chair Anita Holloway will be in attendance. Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.
