The Oklahoma Sooners concluded their 2024 season with a heartbreaking 21-20 loss to the Navy Midshipmen during the Armed Forces Bowl, reflecting the turmoil and challenges faced by the program under head coach Brent Venables. With this defeat, Oklahoma finished with a dismal 6-7 record, marking the second time in three seasons under Venables they recorded losing seasons.
The game, held at Amon G. Carter Stadium, was particularly painful for the Sooners, who squandered a promising 14-point lead early on. Venables opted for the dramatics, deciding to go for the win by attempting a two-point conversion after the Sooners had scored late. Unfortunately for Oklahoma, true freshman quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. was sacked during the attempt, and Navy recovered the ensuing onside kick to cement their victory. This decision has received fierce backlash from fans and analysts alike.
“Just disappointed,” Venables expressed post-game. “Obviously, everything falls on me. If we're dropping it or not converting fourth down, we're missing field goals or we're giving up explosive runs, everything falls at my feet.” Such sentiments echo the mounting frustrations of Sooners fans, many of whom took to social media to voice their displeasure. One user tweeted, "I don't understand how Brent Venables is still employed as the head coach #Sooners." Another pointedly remarked, "Most universities would fire their head coach with [an] 0-3 record [in bowl games] and two 6-7 seasons.”
Since taking over the program, Venables has faced considerable scrutiny as the Sooners make their debut season in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). After finishing with promising victories leading up to his appointment, the drop to 6-7 begs the question: Is Venables truly the right choice for Oklahoma? The Sooners not only experienced slip-ups on the field but also struggled with injuries and inconsistent performances all season long, leading to the firing of offensive coordinator Seth Littrell midway through the year.
The timeline for the Sooners throughout this tumultuous season was marred by missed opportunities, and consistently failed execution, as highlighted by their loss to Navy. Players dropped several key passes and failed to convert on important plays, compounding their issues. Venables noted after the game, “We’ve got to work on the fundamentals; we have to be clean on the field.” Despite all the struggles, he emphasized the experience gained, hoping it will lead to progress moving forward. For many fans, though, any hope lies solely with Venables making significant changes.
Brent Venables became only the second coach in the storied history of the Oklahoma football program to record multiple losing seasons, which isn’t the legacy one would associate with such a proud institution, historically rich with success on the gridiron. The only previous coach to accomplish this was John Blake, who didn’t survive to see another season following his struggles.
The Sooners have seen their fortunes change drastically as they transition to the SEC, battling higher levels of competition than ever before. Despite implementing measures to revamp the struggling offense, including the recent hiring of Ben Arbuckle as offensive coordinator, the outlook seems uncertain. With high expectations from fans and alumni alike, Venables' ability to adapt and guide the program back to its glory days will be put to the test next season.
“We’ve got to be way more consistent with what we want to do,” Venables said. “I believe we’re building something special, but we just need to put the pieces together.” Loyal fans, hoping to see the Sooners return to their former glory, remain cautiously optimistic about this vision.
Oklahoma’s schedule for 2025 will be brutal at best, facing opponents like Texas, Alabama, and South Carolina within the SEC, alongside their showdown with Michigan. If Venables hopes to save his job heading forward, they will need to capitalize on every opportunity through recruiting and performance improvements.
“This is not only my responsibility, it’s my pleasure to make this program the best it can be,” Venables affirmed. With this offseason highlighted by new recruitments and desperate measures to rebuild the offensive unit, Sooners fans remain watchful as Venables seeks to turn the tide before it’s too late.
Through all this, there's palpable tension surrounding the program. With fans calling for Venables’ head after a miserable season, the forthcoming months will be pivotal. It remains to be seen whether the Sooners can rise from the ashes or if they will continue to see their program slip—a reality Venables insists he’s prepared to tackle.
“If we’re going to be successful, we need all our young guys to step up. It’s going to take all of us,” Venables concluded. Oklahoma’s legacy hangs in the balance as the franchise looks to redefine itself under pressure.
