Oklahoma Football: Mike Stoops Officially Hired; Venables Will Work with Him

The Oklahoma Sooners have officially hired Mike Stoops, according to newsok.com. He will serve as co-defensive coordinator with Brent Venables in addition to being secondary coach. 

Willie Martinez, the former secondary coach for the Sooners, has resigned in the wake of Stoops' return to Norman. Speculation abounded about Venables possibly pursuing a job at West Virginia or elsewhere, but he and Stoops will both be co-defensive coordinator, at least for now. The question of who will call plays has not yet been confirmed. 

"I'm working with Brent. We are working together. That's it. Roles have not been defined. Other than that, I'm coaching the defensive backs," Stoops said.

Venables and Stoops hit the recruiting trail Friday, head coach Bob Stoops noted, leading him to proclaim that the Sooners are "off to a good start" with the new arrangement.

As for Martinez, his future is unsure for now. He has been linked to Auburn, Illinois and Kansas.

"Willie has some attractive options and is going to pursue them," Bob Stoops said.