Brent Venables, a familiar face who had been part of Bob Stoops’ staff and later helped Clemson win national championships in 2016 and 2018, is going to face a ton of pressure in 2025. It's a make-or-break season for the Oklahoma Sooners.
Brent Venables enters make-or-break year in Norman
The head coach arrived in Norman with a six-year, $51 million contract worth $8.5 million annually, signaling Oklahoma’s belief that he could keep the program among college football’s elite.
Three years later, the results have been mixed. His record stands at 22 wins and 17 losses, with two 6-7 campaigns and no bowl victories.
This year began with a rare preseason ranking split. The Sooners were left out of the Coaches Poll for the first time since 1999 but still managed to land at No. 18 in the Associated Press poll.
Former NFL player and analyst Kevin Carter did not hold back when discussing Venables’ situation.
“For me, it’s Brent Venables and Oklahoma,” Carter said. “When you look at his record going into his fourth year, 22-17 is not going to get it done. This fan base expects more. You are coaching in the SEC now and at one of the biggest programs in the country. It has to be better.”
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Last season was Oklahoma’s first in the SEC, and the schedule proved punishing. The Sooners went 6-7, losing to Tennessee, Texas, South Carolina, Ole Miss, Missouri, LSU, and Navy. The rivalry game against Texas ended in a 34-3 defeat, and the season closed with a 21-20 loss to Navy in the Armed Forces Bowl.
In Venables’ three seasons, Oklahoma has posted records of 6-7, 10-3, and 6-7. Two losing seasons in that stretch have raised serious questions about his ability to turn the program around.
If 2025 brings more of the same, it could mark the end of Venables’ time on the Sooners’ sideline.
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