Oklahoma Sooners Head Coach Brent Venables Intensifies Search to Finalize Elite Coaching Staff, Aiming to Assemble a Championship-Caliber Team of Strategists and Mentors by Early Next Week to Propel OU to National Title Contention in 2025

As the 2025 college football season looms, Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables is laser-focused on finalizing his coaching staff, a crucial step in shaping the program’s future. With expectations sky-high in Norman, Venables is leaving no stone unturned as he looks to assemble a group of elite football minds who can guide the Sooners back to national championship glory.

Reports indicate that Venables hopes to have his coaching staff set by early next week, an aggressive timeline that underscores his sense of urgency. The Sooners are entering a pivotal era, with a new wave of talent, heightened competition in the expanded College Football Playoff format, and the ever-changing landscape of college football requiring nothing short of excellence on the sidelines.

For Oklahoma fans, this process is more than just routine staffing decisions—it’s about building the foundation of a championship team. Let’s dive deep into Venables’ approach, the key hires he’s targeting, and what this means for Oklahoma’s national title aspirations.

Venables’ Vision: What He Wants in His Coaching Staff

Brent Venables isn’t just looking to fill coaching vacancies; he’s assembling a team of elite strategists, recruiters, and motivators who can elevate the Sooners to the next level. After finishing the 2024 season with a strong but ultimately unsatisfying result, Venables knows that every coaching hire matters in the pursuit of excellence.

Here’s what he’s prioritizing as he finalizes his staff:

1. Defensive Dominance: Venables’ Signature Approach

As a defensive mastermind, Venables has always prided himself on crafting elite, fast, and aggressive defenses. He wants defensive coaches who share his intensity, demand accountability, and can develop players into NFL-caliber talent.

Expect the defensive coordinator position to be a focal point, with Venables potentially looking for someone who can complement his hands-on approach while also bringing new wrinkles to the Sooners’ defensive schemes. Linebacker play, pass rush efficiency, and secondary depth will be key areas of focus.

2. High-Octane Offense: Can OU Keep Up With the Nation’s Best?

While Venables is known for his defensive prowess, the Sooners’ success in the modern era depends on their ability to put points on the board. With the emergence of high-powered offenses across the country, Oklahoma must keep pace.

The offensive coordinator position is crucial, and Venables will likely seek a dynamic play-caller who can blend Oklahoma’s traditional offensive explosiveness with modern innovations. The Sooners need a coach who can develop quarterbacks, utilize their deep stable of running backs, and maximize the talent at wide receiver.

3. Recruiting Giants: Winning on the Field Starts With Winning on the Trail

Recruiting has never been more competitive, and Oklahoma must have relentless recruiters on staff. Venables wants assistant coaches who can establish relationships, close deals with top recruits, and outwork rival programs in securing the nation’s best talent.

Whether it’s Texas, California, Florida, or the Sooners’ home base of Oklahoma, the coaching staff must be aggressive on the recruiting trail to ensure OU remains a powerhouse for years to come.

4. Development & Player Growth: Turning Recruits Into Superstars

It’s not just about landing five-star recruits—it’s about developing them into NFL-ready players. Venables wants coaches who can refine raw talent, improve technique, and ensure players maximize their potential.

The best college football programs don’t just recruit well—they develop talent at an elite level. That’s why Venables’ staff must include top-tier position coaches who specialize in player growth.

Key Positions That Need to Be Filled

With Venables hoping to finalize his staff soon, here are the most crucial positions that still need to be locked in:

1. Defensive Coordinator

This is arguably the most critical hire of the offseason. Venables may consider an internal promotion or look outside the program for a fresh perspective. Given his defensive expertise, the new coordinator must be someone he trusts implicitly.

Names that have surfaced in discussions include:

• Wes Goodwin (Clemson Co-DC) – A former Venables disciple who knows his system well.
• Doug Belk (Houston DC) – An aggressive, rising star in the defensive coaching ranks.
• Jay Bateman (Florida Co-DC) – A coach with a strong track record of developing defenders.

2. Offensive Coordinator

Oklahoma’s offense has traditionally been its strength, and Venables knows he needs a play-caller who can light up scoreboards. The Sooners’ offense must remain explosive while also being balanced enough to win grind-it-out games against elite defenses.

Potential candidates include:

• Jeff Lebby (former OU OC) – While he left for Mississippi State, there have been rumblings of a potential reunion.
• Garrett Riley (Clemson OC) – Lincoln Riley’s younger brother, who led TCU’s offense to the national championship game in 2022.
• Will Stein (Oregon OC) – A young, innovative coach who has impressed at multiple stops.

3. Special Teams Coordinator

Special teams can be the difference in big games, and Oklahoma must shore up this unit to avoid costly mistakes in crucial moments. The Sooners need a coach who specializes in discipline, execution, and creativity on special teams.

Names to watch:

• Joe DeCamillis (former NFL coach) – A seasoned veteran with deep special teams knowledge.
• Shane Beamer (South Carolina HC, former OU ST coach) – A long shot, but he was elite in this role at OU before taking over at South Carolina.

Why This Coaching Staff Matters for Oklahoma’s Championship Hopes

Venables is under immense pressure to not only finalize his staff quickly but to get it right. The Sooners are moving into the next phase of their program’s evolution, and every hire will impact their ability to compete for championships.

1. The Expanded College Football Playoff Means No Room for Error

With the 12-team College Football Playoff format debuting, Oklahoma can’t afford to have any weaknesses on staff. The Sooners will be facing SEC powerhouses, Big Ten juggernauts, and rising programs across the country.

Every coaching decision will matter when it comes to game-planning, player development, and in-game adjustments. Venables needs a staff that can compete at the highest level.

2. Recruiting Battles Are More Intense Than Ever

Oklahoma isn’t just competing with Texas and SEC programs—they’re battling NIL collectives, high-profile recruiters, and elite development programs. The Sooners’ new staff must be relentless in securing top talent and ensuring that Oklahoma remains a top destination for elite recruits.

3. The Time to Win Is Now

Oklahoma fans aren’t interested in “building for the future”—they expect immediate results. Venables has laid the foundation, but 2025 is a make-or-break year. The Sooners have the talent to contend, but only if their coaching staff is elite in every facet.

Final Thoughts: The Clock Is Ticking for Venables

Brent Venables has always been a meticulous, detail-oriented leader, and his approach to finalizing Oklahoma’s coaching staff reflects that. He knows that every decision he makes over the next week will shape the Sooners’ trajectory for years to come.

If he nails these hires, Oklahoma could be on the verge of a return to national championship glory. But if there are missteps, the Sooners could struggle to keep pace with college football’s elite.

The countdown is on. By early next week, the Sooners’ coaching staff could be complete. And with that, Oklahoma’s 2025 championship chase will officially be in motion.