Clemson Football: How rare is a guy like Brent Venables?

Clemson football fans should never forget the role that Defensive Coordinator Brent Venables has played in the development of the program.

Clemson football hired Brent Venables away from Oklahoma following the 2011 season that saw the Tigers- who were led by Kevin Steele at defensive coordinator- give up 70 points to West Virginia in the Orange Bowl.

Venables has now been a part of the Clemson football staff for seven, going on eight, years.

The truth of the matter is that Venables could’ve been gone years ago.

He’s been offered other Defensive Coordinator jobs that, maybe a few years ago, may have been considered more prestigious. He’s been contacted about several head coaching opportunities, including some at Power Five programs.

Through it all, he’s chosen to stick with Clemson.

He has stayed content and has enjoyed his role with the Tiger program, building one of the best defenses in the history of College Football this past year.

While we all know the value that Brent Venables brings to Tiger Town, I still don’t think we’ve given him enough credit for the job he’s done helping building the Clemson football program.

Without Venables staying for as many years as he has, I’m not sure you see the Tigers come away with some of the elite recruits they’ve gotten throughout the years. I’m not saying that you wouldn’t, but you can’t deny the role that Venables has played in recruiting.

Prospects have seen how Venables loves his job and how he has stayed at Clemson. That appeals to young guys that are wanting to go to a place where they can be coached by the best staff in the nation.

Venables isn’t just a great recruiter, he’s the best assistant coach in all of College Football. Honestly, it may not even be close. The fact that Dabo Swinney has been able to retain Venables for this long is a miracle.

That’s not the norm.

You don’t see elite coaches stay as coordinators. But, that’s exactly what Brent Venables has done. He’s a better version of Bud Foster, not that their schemes or personalities are very similar. But, their similar in the fact that both could’ve left their respective programs years ago and, instead, chose to stay.

There’s a lot of credit to go around when you start talking about the two National Championships in the past three years, but we should never forget the role that Brent Venables has played. He should get the respect and credit he deserves because, at least in my opinion, Venables is one of the best coaches to ever be on staff at Clemson.