February 26, 2025
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Oklahoma’s Instability: Do or Die Situation for Head Coach Brent Venables

In college football, few programs are as steeped in tradition and history as the Oklahoma Sooners. With multiple national championships, Heisman Trophy winners, and a track record of excellence, Oklahoma has long been one of the most powerful and respected programs in the nation. But in recent years, the Sooners have found themselves in a state of flux, struggling to maintain their previous level of dominance, and more recently, dealing with the instability that has begun to overshadow their football program.

At the center of this turbulence is head coach Brent Venables, who is facing immense pressure to right the ship at a time when the stakes could not be higher. Oklahoma’s football program is at a crossroads, with Venables’ job possibly on the line, and 2025 shaping up to be a pivotal year for his tenure in Norman.

Venables was brought in with high expectations following the departure of Lincoln Riley, who left for USC after a storied run at Oklahoma. Riley’s exit left a void that many believed Venables, a former Oklahoma defensive coordinator under Bob Stoops, was perfectly positioned to fill. After all, Venables had been widely regarded as one of the top defensive minds in college football, and his long track record at Clemson as defensive coordinator had built his reputation as a program-changer.

However, nearly two years into his tenure as the head coach of the Sooners, Venables’ ability to fulfill those expectations has come into question. While Venables has brought a renewed focus on defense to Oklahoma, the results on the field have been mixed, and the program is in danger of slipping further behind its rivals. The pressure to succeed is mounting, and with 2025 being a make-or-break year, the next few months could be pivotal for Venables’ career.

The Early Years: A Rocky Start

Venables’ first season at Oklahoma in 2022 was marked by growing pains. Despite being considered a strong recruiter and an expert in building a dominant defense, Venables struggled to establish consistency on either side of the ball. Oklahoma finished with a disappointing 6-7 record, a far cry from the championship-caliber program the Sooners fans had come to expect.

The lack of success was particularly evident on defense. While Venables had promised to bring a stifling, aggressive defense to Norman, the Sooners gave up big plays and failed to consistently stop opposing offenses. The offense, led by quarterback Dillon Gabriel, was unable to overcome defensive struggles, leading to frustrating losses in key games.

To make matters worse, Oklahoma’s performance in the 2022 season was compounded by the departure of several key players, including highly-touted recruits, many of whom transferred out following Riley’s exit. Venables had to rebuild not only his team but also the program’s culture, and the task proved to be more difficult than many had anticipated.

2023: More Struggles and Increased Pressure

In 2023, Oklahoma’s football team showed signs of improvement, particularly on defense. Venables’ defensive philosophy began to take shape, and the Sooners showed flashes of the dominant unit he had promised. But the struggles were still apparent. The offense, while improved from the previous year, still lacked the consistency required to compete at the highest level, and the Sooners again finished with a record that left much to be desired.

Oklahoma’s performance in key games highlighted the growing instability around Venables’ tenure. In particular, the Sooners lost several games to rival schools like Texas, a trend that Oklahoma had historically been able to avoid under previous regimes. As the losses piled up, the voices of criticism grew louder, questioning whether Venables was the right man for the job.

The pressure on Venables reached a fever pitch, as the program was no longer just struggling to win games—it was struggling to keep up with the elite programs in college football. With the 2024 and 2025 seasons looming, the question of whether Oklahoma could truly compete for championships under Venables’ leadership was on the table.

The instability surrounding the Oklahoma program has raised doubts about Venables’ ability to fulfill the expectations that came with his hire. With the Sooners about to transition to the SEC in 2025, the pressure to show immediate results has intensified. Oklahoma’s future in the conference hinges on its ability to compete at a high level, and right now, that future looks uncertain.

The SEC Transition: An Added Layer of Pressure

Oklahoma’s move to the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in 2025 only adds to the instability and uncertainty surrounding Venables’ position. The SEC is widely considered to be the most competitive and toughest conference in college football, with perennial powerhouses like Alabama, Georgia, and LSU consistently dominating the national landscape.

For a program like Oklahoma, which has dominated the Big 12 but struggled in recent years on the national stage, the transition to the SEC is seen as a massive step up in competition. The Sooners will face stiffer competition, and the demands for success will be even higher. To make matters worse, the Sooners’ rivals like Texas will also be joining the SEC, making the race for supremacy in the new conference even more competitive.

Venables was brought in to ensure that Oklahoma could transition seamlessly into the SEC and compete at the highest level, but so far, the results have been less than promising. His defensive-minded approach is admirable, but Oklahoma needs more than just a strong defense to succeed in the SEC. The Sooners need a balanced and high-powered offense capable of keeping up with the explosive teams in the SEC, and so far, Venables has not been able to provide that.

This looming transition to the SEC represents a ticking clock for Venables. If he cannot turn the program around in 2024, he could find himself on the hot seat heading into the new era of SEC competition. With the Sooners’ reputation on the line and expectations at an all-time high, Venables must deliver results quickly.

Recruiting and Talent Development: Key to Venables’ Survival

One of the bright spots in Venables’ early tenure at Oklahoma has been his ability to recruit talent. Venables, who has deep ties to the recruiting landscape in the state of Oklahoma and beyond, has built a solid recruiting class. His defensive acumen has attracted some of the top recruits, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, where Venables has made a mark as one of the premier coaches in the nation.

However, while Venables has done well in attracting talent, it remains to be seen whether he can develop that talent and turn it into consistent, high-level play on the field. Oklahoma has some of the best recruiting classes in the Big 12 and the nation, but the question remains whether they can compete at the SEC level. Venables needs to prove that he can take these high-profile recruits and mold them into a championship-caliber team.

Additionally, Oklahoma’s offensive recruiting has lagged behind its defensive efforts. The Sooners’ offense has shown flashes of brilliance but has lacked the consistency necessary to make deep runs into the College Football Playoff. Venables’ ability to hire an offensive coordinator and develop his offensive talent will be key to his future in Norman. If he cannot provide a balanced and effective offense, the Sooners’ future in the SEC will be bleak.

The Path Forward: A Do-or-Die Year for Venables

The 2024 season has become a do-or-die year for Brent Venables. If he cannot turn things around, the Sooners may be forced to look elsewhere for a head coach who can help the program navigate the challenges of the SEC and restore Oklahoma to its rightful place as a national contender.

For Venables, the stakes could not be higher. His job security will likely depend on the team’s performance in 2024, particularly against rival schools and in key matchups. The Sooners will need to show that they can not only compete in the Big 12 but also begin preparing for the challenges of the SEC.

The success of Oklahoma’s football program under Venables will depend on several factors. First and foremost, he must improve his offense to match the explosive defenses in the SEC. If Venables can get his team to play a more balanced style of football, they could still be in the hunt for an SEC championship in the coming seasons. Additionally, the development of his young recruits will be key. If he can cultivate a team capable of competing at the highest level, Venables might just save his job and solidify his legacy at Oklahoma.

But if the Sooners continue to struggle in key games and fail to meet the expectations placed on them, it could signal the end of the Venables era in Norman. As Oklahoma prepares to enter a new chapter in SEC football, Venables will need to prove that he is the right man for the job—before it’s too late.