The first SEC Football head coaches power rankings ahead of the 2025 season have been released by USA TODAY Sports. And Oklahoma is behind a Stoops.
Sooners head coach Brent Venables checked in at the No. 11 spot in the SEC coach power rankings by Blake Toppmeyer of USA TODAY Sports. The only coaches below him come from the three least successful programs in the conference in the last 15 years and two former powerhouses that have fallen on hard times because of mediocre hires.
The former Sooners defensive coordinator-turned-Sooners head coach is entering his fourth season at the helm in August. OU has gone 6-7 in two of those years, including in 2024. The record brought wholesale changes, especially on offense, where a new coordinator, quarterback, wide receivers, tight ends, and a reconfigured offensive line suggest improvement.
The changes also suggest Venables knows he’s on the hot seat.
File Oklahoma’s raise and contract extension for Venables before last season among the all-time most unnecessary business moves. One year later, Venables is a bad season away from hot seat terrain. This program expects to be among the elite. With Venables, it’s struggled to attain mediocrity. The midnight hour approaches. Now, want the upside? Oklahoma stands to be one of the conference’s most improved teams after some splashy transfer grabs. With Venables’ job on the line, he’ll return to calling the defense, his strong suit. – Toppermeyer, USA TODAY Sports
Ahead of Venables in the No. 10 spot is Mark Stoops, Kentucky’s coach. Mark Stoops is the only of the three Stoops brothers who didn’t coach at Oklahoma. Brother Mike, who replaced Venables as OU’s defensive coordinator in 2012, is now the Wildcats’ linebackers coach.
It’s a huge season for Venables and the Oklahoma Football program. They have a tough schedule but should…
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