The Oklahoma Sooners’ debut SEC season ended with a thud, and the Armed Forces Bowl was like the sour cherry on top of a forgettable year. The post Dark Days Ahead for Brent Venables & Oklahoma as Tough 2025 Schedule Raises Serious Concerns appeared first on EssentiallySports.

Oklahoma head football coach Brent Venables' major transfer portal splash will have several major responsibilities during the Sooners' 2025 season.

The Buckeyes defensive coordinator is focused on beating Notre Dame for the national championship, but he's long been rumored to be on Brent Venables' wish list

As the Oklahoma Sooners enter Year 4 under head coach Brent Venables and Year 2 in SEC, there’s no doubt it’s a make-or-break season. After going 6-7 for the second time in three years in 2024, another season like that won’t be enough wins to keep Venables in Norman.

Speaking at media day ahead of the College Football Playoff national championship game on Saturday, Knowles sidestepped the question. Knowles was the third-highest paid assistant in college football in 2024, earning $2.2 million. He remains under contract through 2026. Oklahoma paid Alley $850,000.

Oklahoma's front office shakeup continued with the announcement that its general manager is stepping down next month.

Jim Knowles has been linked to the open Oklahoma defensive coordinator job. Ahead of the national championship, he commented on those rumors.

Ohio State DC Jim Knowles was dismissive of job offer rumors ahead of College Football Playoff National Championship Game vs. Notre Dame

In recent days, current Ohio State and former Oklahoma State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has been heavily linked to Oklahoma’s DC vacancy.

The 59-year-old coach has previous DC stints at Oklahoma State (2018-2021), Duke (2010 to 2017) and Western Michigan (2001-2002). He was also the head coach at Cornell, his alma mater, from 2004 to 2009. Knowles has been the defensive coordinator with Ohio State since 2022.

Paul Finebaum, often referred to as the "Voice of the SEC ," is known for his bold opinions and hot takes. He has built a reputation for putting coaches on the hot seat, advocating for changes in college football and promoting the SEC as the premier conference in college football.

The Kentucky Wildcats had one of the worst seasons of the Mark Stoops era in 2024, finishing with a record of 4-8 overall, as well as 1-7 in SEC play, both of which were the lowest win totals since Stoops’ first season in 2013. Kentucky will likely have some pressure to win in 2025, which will be season No. 13 for Stoops in Lexington.