“It’s very contagious,” Box said. “It makes you want to bring out the best in yourself.”

It is his famous passion and intensity, but also his off-the-curve recall that keeps Sooner linebackers, as Venables said, “always engaged.”

“He can tell you a play that happened four years ago,” Box said. “And he remembers it perfectly.”

“The mistakes we make,” middle linebacker Ryan Reynolds said, “he remembers them down to the quarter. He never forgets.”

The shocker may be he’s still here. He’s been an integral part of a nine-season run of success that’s included a national championship, two more BCS title game appearances and five Big 12 crowns. Likely, he could leave when he chooses. But he may not.

“I think I’m more content being a husband, father and coach daily,” Venables said, “than I spend any time calculating things down the line.”

For him, and OU, it’s been a good time.

Clay Horning

366-3526

cfhorning@normantranscript.com