Cringe 'Horns Down' recruiting pic by Sooners coach Brent Venables blasted on social media

The rivalry between the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners will always be heated. Just look at last week in the Women's College World Series. Obviously, that rivalry extends to the recruiting trail. But a new picture of OU coach Brent Venables has taken things to a new level.

Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables puts the 'horns down' with ATH Braxton Lindsey👀https://t.co/PBnquSePWipic.twitter.com/DlWHcKOm63— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) June 9, 2025

Venables posed with recruit ATH Braxton Lindsey, which isn't the odd part. Many coaches, including Texas coach Steve Sarkisian, pose with recruits that are on campus. But Venables and Lindsey did the 'Horns Down' hand sign and the Sooners coach has, let's just say, an odd look on his face.

Longhorns fans aren't fond of 'Horns Down' but many have embraced the signal as living "rent free" in the heads of Texas' rivals. Many feel it's actually embarrassing to continue to do it. That said, from the point of view of rivals like OU, Arkansas and A&M, it is basically way to shoot the middle finger at UT without being "obscene."

But in some situations, it borders on "cringe," and Venables' pic has certainly received ridicule on social media.

Do you see the difference?

One is a straight-up weirdo, and one keeps things professional. pic.twitter.com/89t1cF9IWa— Archibald Quinn-Bo Manning (@fastlane6677) June 9, 2025

I wonder why coach Sark doesn't take cornball photos with recruits like this. pic.twitter.com/StxG3nZgv3— longhorn4life🤘🏿🖕🏿 (@Longhorn_979tx) June 8, 2025

More fingers in those horns down than points scored in 2/3 games vs Texas https://t.co/wHYxBJqBZa— J.K. Salinas (@JKSalinas_11) June 9, 2025

I’ve got no problem with horns down but it’s overused. Ok, A&M fans make it their whole personality. https://t.co/i1iGLBQjOI— Cole (@Cole___2000) June 9, 2025

If Texas went on a 10-game winning streak over Oklahoma, would the Sooners still do the Horns Down in every photo with great obsession?

What would/could kill it as their unofficial hand sign?— Geoff Ketchum (@gkketch) June 9, 2025

Brent Venables is a hop and a skip away from “cannonball!” pic.twitter.com/vpRoUT9TPk— Big CFB Energy (@BigCfbEnergy) June 9, 2025

Am I the only one who finds this corny? https://t.co/tCO6Nckp3U— Red Raider Man🌵 (@redraiderman1) June 9, 2025

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This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Brent Venables 'Horns Down' recruiting pic ridiculed on social media