he didn't force out Gabriel now that their QB situation has predictably gone to shit.
"You can't make a guy stay," said the Sooners' third-year coach. "The guy is trying to find the next thing; the next chapter for him. I'm sure there was probably some disappointment that [Gabriel] wasn't more highly thought of in the NFL. He had an amazing year. He was a fantastic quarterback. But we didn't run anybody off or things like that."
"I did not know at that time that he wasn't going to go to the NFL ... I didn't even know I had to fight this fight," Venables said. "I didn't even realize that you were even considering coming back. And he says, 'Yeah, but I just want to get closer to home'. We hugged and shook hands. He was a little emotional and I was. It was all really good and positive."
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"You can't make a guy stay," said the Sooners' third-year coach. "The guy is trying to find the next thing; the next chapter for him. I'm sure there was probably some disappointment that [Gabriel] wasn't more highly thought of in the NFL. He had an amazing year. He was a fantastic quarterback. But we didn't run anybody off or things like that."
"I did not know at that time that he wasn't going to go to the NFL ... I didn't even know I had to fight this fight," Venables said. "I didn't even realize that you were even considering coming back. And he says, 'Yeah, but I just want to get closer to home'. We hugged and shook hands. He was a little emotional and I was. It was all really good and positive."
Venables on Gabriel exit: 'Can't make a guy stay'
Oklahoma coach Brent Venables offered insight into former QB Dillon Gabriel's decision to transfer to Oregon after last season, saying he wanted to be closer to home.
