Ken Ruinard / staff, The Greenville News via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Paul Finebaum Names Major SEC Coach Who Can't Survive Another Bad Season

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jaron Spor | Last updated Jun 5, 2025 10:00 AM ET

The 2025 college football season is quickly approaching, and several high-profile coaches are under pressure to deliver better results, as failure to do so could cost them their jobs.

One coach facing this pressure is Brent Venables, the head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners. A disappointing 6-7 record in 2024 marked the second time in three seasons Venables led the team to a losing record. Before his arrival in 2022, Oklahoma had not experienced a losing season since 1998.

During a segment on "The Paul Finebaum Show," SEC Network analyst Paul Finebaum was asked which coach is under the most pressure heading into the new season. Venables' name came up among several others discussed.

"I think the one out near you (Venables) is going to be in deep trouble if he doesn't have a big season," Finebaum said. "I don't think I'm telling you anything that you don't know."

Finebaum expressed doubt that Venables can endure another disappointing season. However, he did not specify how many wins Venables needs this year to secure his position.

Last season, there was some discussion among fans about Venables being on the hot seat due to the team’s struggles. At that time, his buyout was set at $44.8 million, but it has now decreased to $34.9 million. The speculation that this could be Venables' final year comes just one year after he signed a contract extension.

Venables signed a new six-year deal following the 2023 season. This contract, approved by the Oklahoma Board of Regents in June 2024, guarantees him an annual salary of over $8.5 million throughout its duration.

Initially, he signed a six-year, $43.5 million contract with the Sooners in December 2021 when he was hired. Venables' contract is fully guaranteed, and after this season, his buyout will decrease by nearly $10 million each year until the contract expires.

His team is set to open the season at 6 p.m. ET on Aug. 30 against Illinois State.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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