Brent Venables didn’t need long to make the point Tuesday in Norman.
Asked whether Oklahoma’s defense had been dragged down by the offense’s struggles, and whether that had anything to do with his decision to fire offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle and promote Jason Witten to interim offensive coordinator, Venables paused before answering. That pause said plenty.
The Oklahoma coach made clear that the offensive issues had rippled through the rest of the roster, and that the move was not just acceptable but necessary. He also pointed back to the program’s belief that the offense could be better in 2026, even after last season’s uneven results.
“As hard and difficult of a decision as that was, we again, I know nobody wants me to say this, but from 2024 to 2025, we got better in 24 categories, and it was incremental improvement,” Venables said. “OK, incremental. It was enough for us to combine with the rest of our team to go to the playoffs, but at the same time, in closed-door meetings, it was, ‘It can’t look like this next year, and everything stays the same, and this ain’t going to be good enough, and it’s got to be more than good enough.’”
That theme has been part of Venables’ message for months. At SEC Media Days in July, he said Oklahoma had to become a much better running team if it wanted to reach its vision.
“At the end of the day, for us to be who we want to be, the vision that we have, we have to run the ball a hell of a lot better than we have the past couple of years,” Venables said during SEC Media Days in July. “... It puts tremendous pressure on every part of your team when you can’t consistently run the football.”
The numbers backed up the urgency when Arbuckle was let go. Oklahoma was averaging only 106.8 rushing yards per game, which ranked 128th in FBS.
The Sooners did put up 144 rushing yards against Florida, but Venables’ concern went beyond one box score. He said he could see the defense wearing down, and that showed up in the loss to South Carolina, where Oklahoma had more missed tackles than usual.
“The players, they see everything, not necessarily always listening, but they watch everything, and what you do is more powerful than what you say many times,” Venables said. “I’m an aggressive guy. I’m patient at times, but I also have to be in this role, you have to be more patient than not patient., and whatever that means, in finding the right blend.
“But I do feel like, as I said, from a timing standpoint, never a good time to make those types of decisions, but it was the right time. I did have a peace about that, and it was all about what is best for the team.”
On Monday night, OU linebacker Owen Heinecke said he noticed the effect of the change more on Sunday than Saturday.
“Felt good, despite getting back at 4 a.m.,” Heinecke said. “It was all good, all things considered.”
In Other News...
Jason Witten Is Already Changing Oklahomas Offensive Identity
Jason Wittens first weeks as Oklahomas offensive coach have already brought a noticeable shift in how the Sooners are operating on the practice field. The former NFL tight end has pushed a more intentional, professional approach, with an emphasis on clarity, communication and situational football, and that has stood out to Brent Venables in the early going.
Venables has pointed to Wittens organization and the way he gets through to players as a real asset for the offense. Even after just one game in the role, the early signs suggest the Sooners are getting a cleaner understanding of what is expected, along with a stronger sense of accountability as the unit adjusts to a different voice and a different standard. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahoma Waits On Key Line Decision Before Ole Miss Showdown
Oklahomas preparation for Ole Miss has been shaped by the injury report, with offensive lineman Ryan Fodje listed as doubtful after getting hurt on Oct. 17. The Sooners could use the extra help up front in a matchup that figures to test every part of the offense, while cornerback Jacobe Johnson is listed as probable and should give the secondary a needed boost if he is cleared to go.
Ole Miss, meanwhile, is dealing with its own long list of absences, including 11 players ruled out, among them running back Kewan Lacy and guard Patris Kutas. Even with a few Rebels listed as probable or doubtful, the bigger question for Oklahoma is how the line holds up if Fodje cannot make it, because that decision could shape both the protection plan and the way the Sooners attack in a game with plenty on the line. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahoma Just Sent A Blunt Message About Brent Venables Future
Brent Venables may have signed a two-year extension in August, but the bigger message around Oklahoma football has been about stability, not anxiety. The deal pushed his tenure through 2031, came with a salary bump, and significantly increased his buyout, all of which signaled that the university was willing to make a long-term commitment even as the on-field results have fallen short of expectations.
Rick Nagel, the chair of the Oklahoma Board of Regents, added to that picture by publicly saying Venables is not on the hot seat despite the disappointing season. For a program with championship standards and a fan base that does not like to wait, that kind of backing matters, because it suggests Oklahoma is not looking to make a snap judgment about its coach even as the pressure around the program continues to build. [Read more 🡒]