Oklahoma’s president and athletic director showed their support for coach Brent Venables on Tuesday after a meeting with the school’s Board of Regents.
The Sooners have a 5-5 record so far this season and are 1-5 in conference play in their first year in the Southeastern Conference. Venables, who is in his third season, has a 21-15 record as head coach.
“We all get emotional over the course of a season,” said Oklahoma president Joseph Harroz Jr. “What’s unwavering is the commitment to him.
This is a new era for us, but it’s also a new era for college athletics, and there’s going to be a lot of adjustment, and there’s going to be a lot that takes place. As far as my commitment to coach Venables, it’s 100 percent.”
Venables became head coach after Lincoln Riley left for Southern California following the 2021 season. In Venables’ first year, the Sooners went 6-7 and lost to Florida State in the Cheez-It Bowl.
Last year, with quarterback Dillon Gabriel, the Sooners rebounded to finish the regular season with a 10-2 record. However, Gabriel chose not to play in the Alamo Bowl, which the Sooners lost to Arizona. Gabriel later transferred to Oregon, where he has helped lead the Ducks to a No. 1 ranking in the AP Top 25.
The Sooners brought in new offensive and defensive coordinators this season, and the defense has shown improvement under Zac Alley. However, the offense has struggled under coordinator Seth Littrell, who was fired last month after a loss to South Carolina.
Quarterback Jackson Arnold started the season as the No. 1 quarterback but lost the job to Michael Hawkins Jr. before regaining it. Arnold has had some mistakes, such as a fumble against Missouri in the final minute of a 30-23 loss last Saturday that led to a touchdown.
The team’s top receivers have been out for most of the season, and the offensive line has been weak, dealing with injuries as well.
“Obviously the season thus far has not gone as we’d hoped or planned,” said athletic director Joe Castiglione. “We’re mindful that we haven’t met the Oklahoma standard for 2024. That said, we truly believe in coach Venables and our team and are completely focused on both supporting them and looking at all of the ways to address the needed improvements now as soon as possible as well as in preparation for next year.”
Oklahoma has a bye this week before hosting No. 9 Alabama and finishing the season at No. 21 LSU.
