The State of Brent Venables’ Job in 2025: Will His Employment Be at Stake?
In the world of college football, coaching careers are often defined by the ebb and flow of success, pressure, and scrutiny. Few programs have witnessed the kind of high expectations and high-pressure environments as Oklahoma has, especially in the modern era. When Brent Venables was hired as the head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners in 2022, his arrival was celebrated, given his strong defensive background, his previous success as a defensive coordinator, and his long-standing ties to the program. However, as with any high-profile job in college football, the weight of expectations can quickly become overwhelming, and the stakes can increase exponentially.
Paul Finebaum, the respected ESPN analyst and commentator, has often weighed in on the future of various college football programs, particularly with regard to coaching stability. In the case of Venables, Finebaum has suggested that by 2025, his employment may very well be at stake. This is a bold statement, given that Venables has only recently begun his tenure at Oklahoma, but Finebaum’s analysis is grounded in several key factors that paint a compelling picture of the potential challenges Venables may face in the next few years.
To understand why Venables’ future may be uncertain, it’s important to look at several critical elements, including the changing landscape of college football, the expectations of Oklahoma fans, the challenges of rebuilding a program, and the specific hurdles that Venables will need to overcome to ensure his long-term success.
1. The High Expectations of Oklahoma Football
Oklahoma is one of the most storied programs in college football history. With multiple national championships, a long list of legendary players and coaches, and consistent success in the Big 12 Conference, the Sooners are expected to contend for national titles every season. When Lincoln Riley left Oklahoma for USC in 2022, it set off a chain reaction that not only shocked the college football world but also put enormous pressure on whoever replaced him.
Brent Venables was seen as an excellent choice, particularly because of his familiarity with the program. Venables had served as Oklahoma’s defensive coordinator from 1999 to 2011 under Bob Stoops and was part of multiple Big 12 titles and a national championship-winning team in 2000. He had since gained a reputation as one of the best defensive minds in college football during his time as Clemson’s defensive coordinator, helping the Tigers win two national titles.
However, the transition from defensive coordinator to head coach is not always seamless. Venables took over an Oklahoma program that had experienced a significant dip in defensive performance under Riley, whose focus was on high-octane offensive football. Riley’s departure left a void in both offensive and defensive leadership, and Venables had the difficult task of rebuilding Oklahoma’s defensive identity while trying to continue the offensive success that had made the program a perennial powerhouse.
As such, expectations for Venables were sky-high when he took the reins. He was expected to quickly restore Oklahoma to the top of the Big 12 while maintaining its status as a College Football Playoff contender. Failure to meet these expectations could lead to disappointment among fans and alumni, and in the hyper-competitive world of college football, disappointment often leads to job insecurity.
2. The Changing Landscape of College Football
The landscape of college football has been shifting rapidly over the past few years, with significant changes affecting the sport’s structure and dynamics. The arrival of the NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) era has altered recruiting and player compensation, making it more difficult for coaches to maintain roster stability and ensure long-term success. Additionally, the conference realignment of 2024, with Oklahoma’s planned move to the Southeastern Conference (SEC), will undoubtedly complicate the Sooners’ path to success.
Moving to the SEC means Oklahoma will face an even higher level of competition. The SEC has long been considered the premier football conference in the country, with powerhouse programs like Alabama, Georgia, and LSU consistently vying for national championships. The transition from the Big 12 to the SEC will require significant adjustments, both in terms of recruiting and in-game preparation. Venables will need to recruit players who are capable of competing with the physicality and talent level of SEC teams, and he will have to adapt his coaching style to a more grueling and competitive environment.
For Venables, this change comes at a critical point in his tenure. Oklahoma’s move to the SEC could delay or hinder his ability to quickly turn the program around. If Venables struggles to make this transition, it could lead to criticism and questions about his ability to handle such a monumental shift. In this new environment, any signs of struggle—whether on the recruiting trail, on the field, or in terms of game strategy—could exacerbate the pressure on Venables and place his job in jeopardy.
3. The Rebuilding Process
Rebuilding a program is never an easy task, especially when that program has been accustomed to success. Venables inherited a team that had been successful under Riley but had also shown weaknesses, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. While Oklahoma’s offense remained potent, the defense had been inconsistent, and the program’s overall identity had become too reliant on high-scoring shootouts. Venables’ task was not only to rebuild the defense but to ensure the program could return to its winning ways while also maintaining the offensive explosiveness that had been a hallmark of Riley’s tenure.
In 2022, Oklahoma faced a rough start to the season under Venables, which led to frustration among fans. Although many expected a quick turnaround, the reality of rebuilding a team in the competitive Big 12 proved more difficult than anticipated. Injuries, player turnover, and the pressure to perform immediately have made it difficult for Venables to establish the kind of sustained success that Oklahoma fans demand.
As a defensive-minded coach, Venables’ approach will take time to bear fruit. Implementing a new system requires recruiting players who fit his scheme, developing those players, and finding ways to build depth over multiple seasons. Fans and boosters, however, often have little patience for rebuilding efforts, especially when the team has the resources to contend at the highest level. If Venables fails to produce a consistent winner by 2025, it’s likely that the program’s administration will begin to question whether he’s the right man for the job, despite his pedigree.
4. The Pressure from Fans and Alumni
Oklahoma’s fan base is one of the most passionate in college football. With a long history of success and a dedicated following, the expectations placed on Venables are immense. Fans in Norman expect nothing less than championships, and if the Sooners are not contending for a College Football Playoff berth or competing for a national title by 2025, the heat will intensify.
The pressure from boosters and alumni also plays a significant role in determining a coach’s job security. College football programs are often as much about money as they are about success on the field, and when fans begin to grow frustrated, donations and support can dwindle. Venables is inheriting a program that has enjoyed massive financial support, and the Sooners’ athletic department is one of the wealthiest in the country. With such resources at his disposal, there will be little room for mediocrity. If Venables cannot produce results quickly, his position will come under fire from those with the power to make decisions.
