In a move that sent a buzz through Memorial Stadium, Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables was spotted on the Clemson sideline during pre-game warmups for Saturday night's ACC showdown against Florida State.
Venables, seen wearing a grey Clemson hat, was observed sharing a warm hug with Clay Swinney, son of Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney, and conversing with several Clemson staffers.
While seeing the leader of a major SEC program on a rival's sideline might be a shock, the visit is a personal one. Oklahoma is on its bye week after a road win against Tennessee, giving Venables a perfectly timed window to travel to his old stomping grounds for one primary reason: family.
Venables' son, Tyler Venables, is a veteran safety for the Tigers, currently playing in his sixth and final season for Clemson.
Of course, Venables is no stranger to Death Valley. Before taking the head coaching job at Oklahoma in 2022, he was the architect of Clemson's dominant defenses from 2012 to 2021. As defensive coordinator, Venables was a critical piece of Clemson's dynasty, helping the program win two national championships and six consecutive ACC titles. His fiery sideline presence and defensive genius made him a legend in Tigertown.
Tonight, however, Venables isn't a defensive coordinator or an opposing head coach. He's simply a dad, taking advantage of a rare weekend off to watch his son play in a place he once called home.