Brent Venables doesn’t have the luxury of missteps. Not at the Oklahoma Sooners, not in the SEC, and certainly not after a 6-7 season and preseason No. 16—that rough SEC play left fans wondering if they could handle the new reality. Every decision he makes is under the microscope, and in CFB, perception can be just as important as execution. That’s why his latest move—the kind of choice that would barely register for a program with more goodwill in the bank—is drawing sharp criticism from insiders, alumni, and fans alike. The spring game, once a staple of Sooner football, has been reimagined, and not everyone is on board.
Instead of the traditional intra-squad scrimmage, Oklahoma is opting for a skills showcase this year. Drills, fan engagement opportunities, and speeches from key figures like GM Jim Nagy and new offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle will replace the full-contact action. It’s a shift that mirrors the direction some programs are taking, but in Oklahoma’s case, the timing couldn’t be worse. This isn’t a school trying to protect an established powerhouse. This is a team still searching for an identity in a conference that chews up and spits out those who aren’t built to last. For a roster that struggled with consistency, depth, and health last season, removing a key evaluation and development opportunity feels like an unnecessary gamble.
That’s exactly how SEC insiders Mike & Steven Lassan see it. Speaking on That SEC Podcast, they made it clear that Brent Venables’ tenure is teetering on a knife’s edge. “I’m kind of saying the coach could get fired,” they said bluntly. “I mean, it’s like one or the other, like I don’t think there’s going to be any other in-between. I think it’s going to be an epic disaster, or they could be the biggest surprise in the conference.” They weren’t just talking about the spring game decision, but rather the broader uncertainty surrounding Oklahoma in Year 2 of the Venables era.
Nov 12, 2022; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables argues a call with an official during the first quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
The Sooners’ first season in the SEC was a baptism by fire, and while there’s optimism about the quarterback-OC duo of Washington State transfer John Mateer and Arbuckle, it’s impossible to ignore the schedule. Oklahoma has Michigan at home on Sept. 6, and from Oct. 11 through Nov. 15, they face Texas, South Carolina, Ole Miss, Tennessee, and Alabama. The margins for error are razor thin.
For former OU star Gerald McCoy, the decision to scrap the traditional spring game hit a nerve. He didn’t mince words, voicing the frustration of many within the Sooners’ inner circle. “So no spring game? Just a showcase?” McCoy said. “No opportunity for young guys to perform in front of fans? Guys who have improved to do it in front of the fans. Always a Sooner, but count me out on this one.” His words carry weight. McCoy isn’t just some disgruntled alum—he’s a six-time Pro Bowler who understands what it takes to develop elite talent. And in his eyes, Oklahoma just punted on a critical chance for its players to prove themselves.
There’s also a psychological element to consider. Oklahoma fans have seen this kind of backlash before—just look at Nebraska, whose decision to move away from its own spring game was met with fierce resistance. College football is built on tradition, and while adaptation is necessary, there’s a fine line between innovation and alienation.
Venables need wins, both literal and symbolic. They’re hoping “surely their receivers and offensive line cannot be as injured or as playing as poorly as they did last season,” especially after a clean spring game. But that expectation? That’s pressure.
Brent Venables on the hot seat? Paul Finebaum thinks so
Oklahoma started the season looking like a team with something to prove, going 4-0 in non-conference play and raising hopes for a big year. But once conference play hit, things went sideways—a brutal 2-6 record down the stretch left fans frustrated. The season ended in disappointment with a nail-biting 21-20 loss to Navy in the Armed Forces Bowl.
That marks Brent Venables’ second 6-7 season in three years, and let’s just say Paul Finebaum isn’t optimistic about his future as well. The SEC Network analyst didn’t hold back on The Paul Finebaum Show, questioning whether Venables can afford another rough season.
“If he can’t turn this thing around pretty quickly, I don’t think he’s going to have much hope,” Finebaum said. He added that it would be a “surprise” if Oklahoma bounced back next season, especially with the over/under for wins set at just 6.5. And if things don’t improve? Finebaum doesn’t see a happy ending for Venables.
“He needs a big season because he’s had two bad seasons out of three. I wouldn’t press my luck with another one.” The message is clear: 2025 is a make-or-break year for Venables.
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