Rece Davis believes Brent Venables' job security could be in danger in 2025

It was a less than stellar debut in the SEC for Oklahoma last season. Ahead of the 2025 campaign, Brent Venables and the Sooners made a slew of changes to try and make the Sooners more competitive heading into an all-important campaign.

Venables will be in control of the defensive side of the ball, while freshly-minted offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle is leading the charge on offense, bringing along transfer quarterback John Mateer, as well. Rece Davis has confidence in Oklahoma’s adjustments, but if they don’t work, he believes Venables could be canned.

“To me, it’s Oklahoma, because of the change in offensive coordinator, bringing in Ben Arbuckle, but more importantly, at least for this season, bringing in John Mateer to play quarterback,” Davis stated, regarding the SEC’s most fascinating storylines, via the College GameDay Podcast. “They had quarterback issues last year. They had offensive issues. It’s not just because of that. It’s because it’s highly likely that Brent Venables job security depends on it. You know, they need to be better.

“I’m not saying they have to win the SEC or have to go to the Playoff. The Alabama win, late for them, sort of salvaged a bit of the narrative around them, that maybe there’s some capabilities here, because they were really good on defense, they were just abysmal on offense. So, I’m pretty fascinated by Oklahoma. Are they going to be able to take a jump, and at least solidify things? Because I think another finish at the bottom of the SEC standings — I would hate to see that, because I’ve wanted Venables to get a head coaching shot for so long, if he wanted it. I was starting to wonder if he wanted it.

“I think I’ve told the story on the podcast before, I remember meeting him for the first time early in his career at Oklahoma. First time around, when he was there was when Bob Stoops first got there and thinking, ‘That guy, that guy’s going to be a head coach, and a good one,’ and I think he is. But it’s going to get turbulent there if this doesn’t work. You know, if they’re not good, if they lose a lot of games that they should win. If they don’t at least find the fringes of contention this year, it’s going to be turbulent.

“So, because of that, and I actually think they are poised to take a jump in that this is going to work, but I do think they’re fascinating, because of the ramifications. There are big stakes involved in my judgment there for Oklahoma, and having this offensive change and quarterback change work.”

All told, Rece Davis makes some valiant points. Brent Venables knows more than anyone his team has to find ways to win in 2025, but that’s easier said than done. It’ll all start for Oklahoma on Aug. 30, when the Sooners open the seasons against Illinois State in Norman, followed by Michigan coming to town the following week.