DALLAS – Oklahoma Sooners’ head coach Brent Venables was the third coach to take the podium on Day 2 of SEC Media Days in Dallas. Similar to Coach Smart this morning, the Texas Longhorns came up in conversation multiple times throughout Venables’ press conference.

The third-year coach was asked questions regarding the “Horns Down” hand gesture, the current relationships between Texas and OU as they transition into the SEC, as well as how the Red River Rivalry changes as both schools move conferences. 

The “Horns Down” gesture has been a common topic amongst opposing Texas fans in the past few seasons. Just today, the Coordinator of SEC Officials commented on how the SEC will officiate the hand gesture. 

RELATED: “Horns Down” gesture addressed by SEC Commissioner of officials

Venables was asked the question of if the hand gesture should be a penalty. The OU Coach was initially taken off-guard by question; however, he did respond by saying:

“I don’t really have an opinion. Football is a game of emotion, if they say it’s a penalty then don’t do it. If it’s a free for all, have at it. Whatever the rules are in place, we’ll do it. “

-Brent Venables

Texas fans are probably sick of talking about the Horns Down gesture, so it is nice to see the Horns’ biggest rival downplay the question.

Venables also spoke at length about the current state of the Red River Rivalry. Venables was asked if he and Coach Sark will be teaming up to navigate the transition to the SEC. Oklahoma’s coach immediately shot the previous statement down. 

Coach Venables also does not see the rivalry changing even though both schools are moving conferences. He expects the Red River Rivalry to have the same hatred as it had in the Big 12. He discusses more about the Red River Shootout when he said:

“It’s a deep seated, hate filled, emotional rivalry as there is in college football. I don’t see how the conference affiliation will make a big difference.”

-Brent Venables

Texas and Oklahoma have met 119 times since 1900. The shootout is not the third oldest rivalry in the SEC behind Georgia/Auburn and Ole Miss/Mississippi St. Texas leads the series between the two schools 63-51-5. 

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