HOUSTON, Nov. 18, 2025 — Oklahoma head football coach Brent Venables has been named Paul “Bear” Bryant National Coach of the Week after the No. 11 Sooners’ 23-21 upset win at No. 4 Alabama.
The Sooners have moved up to No. 8 nationally in both the AP and AFCA polls. Oklahoma is now a perfect 4-0 against Alabama all-time in regular-season games and 5-2-1 overall – with a 2-0 record all-time in Tuscaloosa.
The American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, presents the Bear Bryant Awards annually to celebrate excellence in coaching, to honor Coach Bryant’s legacy and to raise awareness and critical funds for its mission. The coaching legend died from a heart attack in 1983, just 28 days after his final victory and retirement.
After OU jumped out to a 17-7 advantage in the second quarter, Alabama rallied and claimed a 21-20 lead in the third quarter; a lead that would hold until Tate Sandell’s 24-yard field goal with 13:41 to play – his third of the game – a field goal that would prove to provide the game’s winning margin.
Oklahoma now has four wins over teams ranked in the AP poll at the time of competition this season, with wins over Michigan, Auburn, Tennessee, and now Alabama.
Venables’ selection follows last week’s selection of Texas Tech’s Joey McGuire and previous selections of NC State’s Dave Doeren, Houston’s Willie Fritz, Louisville’s Jeff Brohm, Indiana’s Curt Cignetti, UCLA’s Tim Skipper, Virginia’s Tony Elliott, Syracuse’s Fran Brown, Texas A&M’s Mike Elko, USF’s Alex Golesh and Florida State’s Mike Norvell.
Continuing through the remainder of the regular season, the Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards will recognize a coach weekly for leading their team to an exceptional victory. The National Coach of the Week award is chosen by a committee of national college football media members.
Fans can follow the lead up to January’s 40th annual Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards Ceremony at facebook.com/bryantawards, x.com/bryantawards or Instagram.com/bryantawards or the hashtag #BryantAwards. To attend the exclusive, VIP experience visit bryantawards.org.
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