Oklahoma Football in Turmoil: Coach Venables Hits the Reset Button
Norman, Oklahoma – The Oklahoma Sooners are facing some tough times this season. A season that started with so much promise is now struggling, as the team stands at a disappointing 4-4 record. With only one win in the SEC, faced by difficulties in offensive production, the Sooners’ head coach, Brent Venables, felt the heat and responded by making a bold move. On October 20, Coach Venables decided to fire offensive coordinator Seth Littrell following a devastating loss to South Carolina, where they were outplayed with a score of 35-9. The game was particularly grim, with the Sooners getting sacked a whopping nine times and turning the ball over four times.
Time for Change
It’s clear that Venables is on the hunt for reinforcements to shake things up. The question on everyone’s mind is: who will take the helm as the new offensive coordinator? Venables has a few candidates in mind, including a former Texas Longhorn who has made quite the name for himself in recent years.
Enter Brennan Marion
One of the top contenders is Brennan Marion, who previously served as the Texas Longhorns’ passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach in 2022. Although his time with Texas was relatively brief, it was impactful. He engineered a remarkable turnaround from a 5-7 season in 2021 to an impressive 8-5 record and a bowl game appearance in 2022. Marion also played a significant role in recruiting rising star wide receiver Johntay Cook as part of the class of 2023.
After departing from Texas, Marion joined the University of Nevada, Las Vegas as their offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. With him at the helm, the Rebels football team was able to score over 40 points in a record six games, and they enjoyed an impressive streak of 10 consecutive games scoring 24 or more points last season. For his efforts, he was recognized as the Mountain West Wire Coordinator of the Year. To top it off, he was nominated for the prestigious Broyles Award, awarded to the best assistant coach in college football.
A Rocky Road Ahead
However, Marion’s second season at UNLV has faced its share of challenges. After the departure of the starting quarterback, Matthew Sluka, due to NIL complications, Marion has had to adapt quickly with his backup, Hajj-Malik Williams. Despite the rocky start, the Rebels’ offense has been nothing short of exceptional. Currently, they rank an impressive fifth in the nation in average points per game at over 41.1, alongside an average of over 400 offensive yards per game.
What’s Next for Coach Venables?
The Oklahoma Sooners are at a crossroad, and it will be interesting to see whether Coach Venables extends an offer to Marion or looks in another direction to get their offense back on track. If he does hire Marion, it won’t be long before he’s recognized as a significant player in the SEC coaching landscape. His knack for developing talent at the highest level could prove invaluable for the Sooners as they strive to overcome their recent struggles.
Oklahoma football is about to enter a new chapter, and fans are eager to see what changes lie ahead. All eyes are on Venables as he makes crucial decisions that could shape the future of the program.
