The Oklahoma Sooners football team has long been the state’s pride. But despite Coach Brent Venables at the helm now, you can’t say that confidently anymore. While the Oklahoma City Thunder are thriving in the NBA, earning their first Finals trip since moving to the Sooner state, the OU faithful are struggling to keep their usual excitement.
Since Venables took over, the team has experienced losing seasons, something Oklahoma hasn’t faced since the ’90s. This slump is tough for fans and players alike. The Sooners need to break free from these struggles soon, but where can they learn from? OU’s new GM suggests looking towards the NBA.
Jim Nagy Says OU Football Should Follow OKC Thunder’s Winning Blueprint
The Oklahoma City Thunder recently secured the Western Conference championship with a dominant victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves, winning the series with a massive 30-point blowout. Given that performance, they are clear favorites for an NBA championship this season.
But their junior counterpart, the Oklahoma Sooners, are still searching for a formula to bounce back after a turbulent first season in the SEC. The Sooners community is not happy about this at all because they haven’t seen losses at this level of disappointment since before the 1990s.
With some adjustments clearly needed, OU Football General Manager Jim Nagy is setting a new tone. He’s looking to the Thunder for inspiration, hoping their culture can light a fire in Norman. On Wednesday, Nagy shared a quote from Thunder HC Mark Daigneault, who praised his team after they received the Western Conference trophy.
“These guys are uncommon. They do everything right. They’re professional. They’re high character. They’re competitive. And most of all, they’re team first. They embody everything it means to be a team”.
𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐛𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 @OU_Football.🫡#ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/V0Xy2CHNIU
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_Sooners) May 29, 2025
“These guys are uncommon. They do everything right. They’re professional. They’re high character. They’re competitive. And most of all, they’re team first. They embody everything it means to be a team.” Nagy then added, “This is THE blueprint for OU Football.”
But having a vision and making it work on the field are two very different things. Some OU fans are already starting to lose faith in Coach Venables, just three years into his tenure.
Everyone will be closely watching Oklahoma’s season opener on August 30 against Illinois State. While the opponent might not be blueblood, it may give us a sneak peek into whether OU can turn things around.
RELATED: CFB Analyst Makes Bold Claim about Oklahoma’s Edge with John Mateer at QB
But the real match to watch will be the Red River Rivalry against Texas on October 11. That game will show if the team’s new vision is becoming reality—or if it’s still just a dream. Additionally, in 2025, the Sooners will take on Michigan, Auburn, South Carolina, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Alabama, and LSU.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and baseball!
