The expanded College Football Playoff has raised the stakes for programs across the country. As teams gear up for spring training, some head coaches are facing more pressure than ever. For Brent Venables, 2025 may be a pivotal season in his career as head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners.
Brent Venables Faces Crucial Year in 2025 for Oklahoma Football
Paul Finebaum, an ESPN college football analyst, pointed out the growing pressure on Venables heading into the 2025 season.
While he praised Texas for its recent College Football Playoff appearances, Finebaum suggested that Venables’ position at Oklahoma is far more precarious. He believes the 2025 season is a “make-or-break” year for the Oklahoma head coach.
“I give him a lot of credit for not sitting by idly,” Finebaum said to On3’s Pete Nakos.
“He also knows the reality, and you can’t continue to have subpar seasons at a school like Oklahoma, especially while your biggest rival is in the playoff two years in a row,” the ESPN analyst continued. “This is the make-or-break year for Venables. Doesn’t matter how nice the guy is or how hard he works. It’s a cutthroat business.”
Venables signed a six-year, $51.6 million contract with Oklahoma, running through the 2029 season.
However, his record as head coach is 22-17, with a disappointing 6-7 season in 2024, including a 2-6 record in SEC play. The pressure for a turnaround in 2025 is undeniable, especially with the team’s transition to the SEC, where competition is fierce.
Will 2025 Define Venables’ Future in Oklahoma?
Venables is known for his success as a defensive coordinator at Clemson, where he helped the Tigers achieve national prominence. However, his time at Oklahoma has yet to produce similar results.
The Sooners’ struggles in 2024, highlighted by a subpar record in their first SEC season, have raised questions about whether Venables can make the transition from coordinator to successful head coach.
The 2025 season will be critical for Venables to show progress. With the expanded playoff allowing more teams to contend for national titles, Oklahoma must be able to compete at a higher level.
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Venables needs to prove that he can guide the Sooners to consistent success in the SEC and return the program to its rightful place among the nation’s elite teams.
With mounting pressure to improve, his ability to deliver a strong season will determine his future in the program.
If the Sooners fail to turn things around, Oklahoma may be forced to look for a new direction. With high expectations and a tough schedule ahead, 2025 will be the year that defines Venables’ coaching career at Oklahoma.
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