Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables is set to take on a more hands-on role for the 2025 season by calling the defensive plays himself. This announcement came last Saturday, as the Sooners also revealed the addition of Wes Goodwin, former defensive coordinator at Clemson, and Nate Dreiling, who recently acted as interim coach at Utah State, to its defensive coaching staff.
In a statement, Venables expressed his dedication to improving the team’s performance. “I have reflected on all facets of our program over the past several weeks,” he mentioned. Since taking the helm as head coach, Venables has aimed to create a competitive environment, building a strong roster and tailoring the team’s defensive strategies. His decision to personally oversee the defensive play-calling reflects his high expectations for the program’s future.
The excitement around Venables’ decision is heightened by the recent hiring of Goodwin and Dreiling. “Their extensive and diverse experience increases my expectations and enthusiasm for our defensive unit,” he added. Venables also highlighted his eagerness to embrace this renewed challenge, alongside the promising changes happening within the entire program. Not only has he brought in fresh faces for the defense, but the offense has also seen improvements with the hiring of Ben Arbuckle as the innovative offensive coordinator and the acquisition of talented players through the transfer portal.
As the Sooners approach the 2025 season, they will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing record of 6-7, which included a loss to Navy in the Armed Forces Bowl. This outcome marked the second time in just three years that Oklahoma finished with six wins in a season. Although the 2023 season saw a stronger performance with a record of 10-3, the team suffered defeat in the Alamo Bowl against Arizona.
With the departure of defensive coordinator Zac Alley, who moved to West Virginia after the 2024 season, Oklahoma’s coaching staff underwent significant restructuring. The new co-defensive coordinators, Todd Bates and Jay Valai, will work alongside Goodwin and Dreiling, who will focus on coaching the linebackers. Goodwin’s time at Clemson ended after the 2024 season due to challenges in stopping opposing teams’ running games, while Dreiling, who was selected as Utah State’s interim coach last season, is transitioning into this new role after previously being appointed to lead Arkansas State’s defense.
The Sooners’ defense ranked 29th in the nation in scoring defense in 2024, allowing an average of 21.5 points per game. However, the larger concern lay with the offense, which could only manage to score an average of 24 points per game. Quarterback Jackson Arnold, now transferring to Auburn, faced difficulties throughout the season, even being benched at one point in favor of freshman quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. This led to the firing of offensive coordinator Seth Littrell in October.
In an effort to bolster their offensive capabilities, the Sooners brought in Arbuckle from Washington State during the offseason. Additionally, they secured the services of quarterback John Mateer, who had an impressive previous season, throwing for 29 touchdown passes and rushing for another 15.
Oklahoma is preparing for another challenging schedule in 2025. The Sooners will host Michigan in Week 2, and out of their eight SEC games, six will be against opponents that finished the previous season ranked in the Associated Press Top 25.
As the Sooners make these crucial adjustments, all eyes will be on how the new leadership and strategies will reshape the team’s performance. The blend of fresh talent and experienced coaches is set to create a new chapter for Oklahoma football, as they aim for a return to winning form in the coming season.
