Venables Under Fire: Why Oklahoma's Coach Is Losing His Job

When Pundits Turn on the Spotlight

I've seen enough college football to know that when a team loses badly, especially in front of national television, it's not just about one game. It's about the narrative that follows, and this time, Paul Finebaum has stepped up and delivered his verdict directly to Brent Venables: he doesn't deserve his contract.

It was a brutal Saturday at Ann Arbor where the Oklahoma Sooners were dismantled by Michigan 24-10 in front of a national audience. For someone who had been heralded as a promising coach with a bright future, things took an ominous turn. And Finebaum didn't hesitate to voice his opinion.

"You asked me after the first after the AP poll who wouldn't be ranked in the top 10? I said Oklahoma, and you would have thought I had said that Oklahoma wasn't part of the union... And then the next day they give them a contract extension. I think it was a terrible decision to give him a contract extension."

That's not just a passing comment — it's a full-on roast delivered with precision, and I'm here to tell you why Finebaum is right to be critical.

The Numbers Don't Lie

Let me break this down from a coach's perspective. Venables has a 33-21 record since arriving in Norman in 2022. He's had two successful seasons, but also two under .500 campaigns. That's a mixed bag — and when you're dealing with the pressure of an elite program like Oklahoma, that inconsistency is dangerous.

What's particularly concerning is how he's performed against the team's biggest rival: Texas. In four matchups, Oklahoma has only won once, and even that win was in a blowout that wasn't exactly convincing. The numbers tell a story, and they're not pretty when you look at how Venables has handled high-pressure situations.

Is This the End of an Era?

It's important to understand what's really at stake here. The Sooners are about to face one of their most brutal schedules in recent memory — starting with New Mexico, then Georgia (ranked #2), and finally the Red River Rivalry against Texas (#1). If this is a coaching situation where you're going to have to go into battle against the biggest names in college football, you need someone who can rise to that challenge.

But here's what I've been watching closely: when a team loses in Week 2 to a team that's arguably not even top-tier, it raises serious questions. The offense looked flat, and despite the defense's effort, they couldn't keep up with the pace of play. That's not just a bad day — that's a systemic issue.

The Contract That Wasn't

Oklahoma's administration gave Venables a six-year contract extension last season, citing his success in the playoffs and the fact that they had a young, hungry team. That was a calculated risk — one that paid off at the time when the Sooners made it to the CFP.

But now, after a loss like this, we're left asking: what exactly did they gain? The extension didn't seem to change anything. In fact, it may have been a signal of complacency. If the administration thought that this was going to be their new standard, then they're looking at a future where the Sooners might be chasing success rather than creating it.

Who's Really in Charge?

Let me say something that some coaches won't like — when you're running a program like Oklahoma, you need someone who can take charge of the entire team, not just the players. That includes accountability at all levels. Venables has shown flashes of brilliance but hasn't proven he can lead in high-stakes games under pressure.

It's one thing to lose to a good team, but it's another to lose to a team that's barely holding onto relevance and still manage to make your players look like they're playing for a paycheck. When that happens, it becomes about the leadership — not just talent or coaching.

The Real Problem: Leadership, Not Talent

There are some coaches who are better at getting results than others, but what makes a true champion is how you respond when things go wrong. This is where Venables is being put to the test. He's got two more weeks before we know if he can fix this team — and whether Oklahoma will continue to believe in him.

That said, I don't think this is about revenge or personal vendetta. It's about accountability. Every head coach deserves a shot, but when you're at the top of the mountain, you have to show that you're capable of keeping your team there — not just climbing it.

What's Next for Oklahoma?

I believe that this is a turning point for the Sooners. Whether it's a coaching change or not, the pressure is on now. They can't keep doing what they've done and expect different results. It's time to step up and make moves that will define their season — and their future.

If Venables wants to prove himself, he'll have to show a dramatic improvement in Week 3 against New Mexico. That's the moment where everything changes for this team. Either they rise above the disappointment or they sink deeper into it. And honestly? I think we're about to see which way it goes.