Oklahoma's instability hangs as dire do or die situation over Sooners head football coach Brent Venables' job

Oklahoma football is undergoing a rough patch but Brent Venables is facing a straight-up crisis with his job at stake this time.

The 2023 Venables-coaches Sooners showed promise at 10-3, but the 2024 team at 6-7 brought OU back to square one since Lincoln Riley left. Venables also went 6-7 in 2022 during his first season in Norman.

If that level of play continues next season, it will probably be his last in Norman. 

Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman strongly believes that Venables will be "coaching for his job" next season, mainly because of the utter chaos that would unfold with defensive coordinator Zac Alley leaving.

Mussatto also believes the hefty $44 million payout is a core reason for Venables getting another year in Norman.

To make it all worse for the Sooners head coach, the program has hit an embarrassing low .564 winning percentage under Venables, the fourth-worst at OU in the modern era. It becomes particularly humiliating for him since his predecessors had led the program to great heights.

"Bob Stoops led OU to four national championship games, including a win in 2000. Stoops handed off to Lincoln Riley, who had an .846 winning percentage in his five seasons — the best mark in program history," Mussatto wrote.

Yet still, 2025 could turn out to be the season where Oklahoma ends up as the dark horse now that they have the Washington State offensive coordinator-quarterback tandem Ben Arbuckle and John Mateer on board.

"Venables’ future likely hinges on Mateer’s arm and Arbuckle’s playcalling. Venables has done a remarkable job of revamping OU’s defense. OU’s offense, though, has been dreadful under Venables. Arbuckle will be Venables’ third full-time offensive coordinator in four years," Mussatto wrote.

Venables gravely needs Arbuckle to be worth the risk to spend big on Mateer in 2025.