Amid hot seat rumors, Joel Klatt points out SEC coach's massive preparation for 2025 season
Joel Klatt has covered the NCAA for decades and he's seen coaches come and go. Klatt is a significant voice in the SEC, arguably the most competitive conference in collegiate football.
Speaking ahead of the 2025 CFB season, Klatt shared his prediction on the SEC coach who'll be on the hotseat. While talking on the "The Joel Klatt Show," he said:
"What is Brent Venables at Oklahoma? Is this going to work? They have invested in the portal. They've done a really nice job. They brought in a new offensive coordinator in Ben Arbuckle.
"They brought in a really good quarterback in John Mateer. Venables is back to calling the defense. I think that helps them. All hands are on deck."
The Oklahoma Sooners are fresh off a 2024 regular season that saw them finish with a 6-7 record. They missed out on a bowl game for the second time in the last three years. Fans wonder how long the athletic department will back the defensive-oriented coach.
However, it's important to note that Brent Venables was an assistant head coach and defensive coordinator for the Sooners from 2004 until 2011. So, it's clear that the athletic department has loads of faith in the defensive guru and Sooners favorite.
Joel Klatt sets must-win game for Brent Venables and the Sooners
Joel Klatt sees the Oklahoma Sooners' second game of the season as a vital matchup. The Sooners will welcome the Michigan Wolverines to their home turf in Week 2.
Klatt believes that if the Sooners win the game, the rest of their SEC matches can be maneuvered. Klatt sees the Sooners ending the campaign with a 2-4 record in their most challenging SEC games. While the record isn't the best, a few wins will make it an interesting run-up to bowl game season.
Brent Venables is on a six-year deal with the Sooners that sees him earn over $8.5 million a season. The Sooners must pay him a buyout of $34.9 million if they fire him after this season.
With that in mind, Venables and his troops start the 2025 regular season with a game against the Illinois State Redbirds. It's a game that Venables and Co. should be winning and potentially putting up a statement on what's to come in the regular season.