Things aren’t looking good for Oklahoma Sooners football, and head coach Brent Venables is feeling the pressure. In his third season at the helm, Venables guided the team to a mediocre 6-6 record, including a disappointing 2-6 finish in their first year in the SEC. While rival Texas reached the SEC Championship and is still alive in the College Football Playoff, the Sooners find themselves playing in the Armed Forces Bowl against Navy, a game that, while meaningful, doesn’t meet the expectations of fans in Norman.
The game against Navy highlighted Oklahoma’s struggles. After taking a 14-0 lead, the Sooners faltered, allowing Navy to score 21 unanswered points. As the game slipped away, discontent among Oklahoma fans was palpable, with many turning their frustrations on Venables.
The pressure on Venables and the program continues to build. His decision to hire offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle has done little to quell fan concerns about the direction of the team, and the program’s high number of transfers—one of the highest in the nation—has hindered any hopes for long-term development.
While there’s no official word from the administration about firing Venables, it’s clear that his tenure in Norman is tenuous. His three seasons have been far from impressive, and it’s uncertain how much longer he will have to turn things around.
It seems unlikely that Oklahoma will part ways with Venables this offseason, especially given his $44 million buyout, but the heat will definitely intensify heading into 2025 if the team’s struggles continue. There could be a scenario where both sides decide to part ways eventually, but for now, it seems Venables will likely remain as head coach for at least one more year.
