The Oklahoma football program will embark on a new era next season, bidding farewell to the Big 12 after a near century and venturing into the high-powered SEC in 2024. Leading this monumental shift is head coach Brent Venables, who took on the role of the Sooners’ frontman two seasons ago.
Venables, who stepped into the shoes of his predecessor Lincoln Riley in 2022, weathered a challenging inaugural season but bounced back with a respectable ten-win season last year. Notably, the Sooners made significant strides on defense, an area of concern for the team over the past decade. Venables’ successful 2023 campaign and the program’s conference transition likely prompted the University to reward him with a new contract on Friday.
Oklahoma Football HC Brent Venables: Inks New Six-Year Deal
On Friday, Oklahoma football and head coach Brent Venables agreed on a massive six-year extension. According to Pete Thamel of ESPN, the six-year deal comes with a significant raise, indicating loyalty to Venables as they head into unprecedented times in the SEC. Additionally, the contract awaits board approval before becoming official.
After posting an uncharacteristic 6-7 season in Venables’ first season, the Sooners went 10-3 last year, including earning a trip to the Alamo Bowl against top-ranked Arizona. Oklahoma scored 41.7 points per game in 2023, the fourth-best mark in the country. Conversely, they allowed under 24 points per game for only the second time in the last ten seasons. Per 247Sports, Oklahoma football owns the eighth-best recruiting class in 2024. They have inked a healthy 19 four-star recruits and have already earned a commitment from 10 four-star recruits in the class of 2025. Before Oklahoma, Venables shined as the defensive coordinator at Clemson from 2012-2021, helping lead the program to two College Football Playoff National Championship wins.
Oklahoma: Heading to the SEC
The Sooners will face new challenges next season, their first in the Southeastern Conference. After opening the season with three straight non-conference games, they will host the Tennessee Volunteers in late September. They will then travel to Auburn before taking on arch-rival Texas in the Red River Rivalry. Oklahoma football will then have a quick turnaround, facing the South Carolina Gamecock at home before traveling to Oxford to take on the Ole Miss Rebels. Oklahoma finishes the year with games against Maine, Missouri, Alabama, and LSU.
Oklahoma enters its new league with a strong record against its existing members. The Sooners are 120-49-3 against SEC squads, with Arkansas, Missouri, and Texas A&M all former members of the Big 12. Compared to the usual powerhouses in Alabama, Georgia, and LSU, the Sooners are 4- 5- 1.
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