Anonymous SEC coach calls Oklahoma, Brent Venables a 'hot-seat situation for sure'

The pressure is on for Brent Venables as he prepares to enter his fourth season at Oklahoma, according to one SEC coach. Venables went 6-7 this past season in his first year in the SEC, bringing his overall record in Norman to 22-17.

Those numbers aren’t going to cut it for long with a fan base as passionate as the Sooners. Athlon Sports recently released an article in which it spoke anonymously with SEC coaches about the upcoming season, and one coach was blunt about the importance of this year for Venables’ job security.

“It’s a hot-seat situation for sure,” he said. “They’re banking on an instant impact from [Ben] Arbuckle and [John] Mateer the way Vanderbilt brought in the New Mexico State coach/QB combo. That could happen. Their receivers were nonexistent last year, but a lot of that was injury. They should bounce back and give Mateer some options.”

Brent Venables is set to assume full control of the Sooners defense, calling plays this season for the first time since he took over as head coach. But where OU stands to make the most improvement is on offense.

The Sooners ranked dead last in the SEC in passing yards per game last season. As mentioned by the anonymous coach, a lot of that had to do with injuries to the receiving corps with players missing several weeks of the season.

This year, OU brings back Deion Burks at receiver after he played only five games in the 2024 season. He was previously the No. 8 receiver in the 2024 transfer portal according to the On3 Industry Ranking after putting up 629 yards and seven touchdowns at Purdue in 2023.

The Sooners also bring back Jayden Gibson, who missed all of the 2024 season after suffering an injury in fall camp. They also bring in a trio of transfers at the postion with Javonnie Gibson, Keontez Lewis and Isaiah Satenga.

Oklahoma finished just 2-6 in the SEC this past season but picked up a big win against Alabama near the end of the regular season. The Sooners also brought in quarterback John Mateer and offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle, who worked together at Washington State this past season.

Mateer threw for more than 3,000 yards and rushed for another 826 with 44 total touchdowns. Perhaps he can be the spark the offense needs to take a step forward this season and save their coach’s job.