By Adeniyi Precious 
Things are looking pretty tough for Oklahoma football. After years of 10- or 11-win seasons, they’ve now had two losing seasons out of the last three, which is rare for them. In fact, in their 130-year history, they’ve only had 13 losing seasons. But now, under Brent Venables, they’ve already had two in just three years. For comparison, iconic coaches like Bud Wilkinson, Barry Switzer, and Bob Stoops never had a losing season during their long tenures.
That’s why most people think 2025 is a huge year for Venables. Another losing season could very well mean his time at OU is up.
After their rough 6-7 season in the SEC, the Sooners hired a new offensive coordinator, Ben Arbuckle from Washington State, and they’re expected to name a new defensive coordinator soon. Many believe it could be Jim Knowles from Ohio State. Getting both of these roles right is crucial for Venables’ future in Norman.
SEC radio host Paul Finebaum has his doubts but also sees potential in the team. He thinks the Sooners could be much better next year and might even be undefeated heading into their rivalry game against Texas. But, Finebaum also made it clear: if things don’t improve, Venables is out.
It’s clear Finebaum doesn’t exactly cheer for Venables, but he does seem to hope the coach turns things around—something that wasn’t the case for him during the final years of Bob Stoops’ tenure. Either way, Finebaum’s comments give fans some hope for next season, but as always, it all comes down to what happens on the field.