Joel Klatt Names Major SEC Coach Who Is on the Hot Seat in 2025

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jaron Spor | Last updated Jun 13, 2025 2:00 PM ET

Many assistant coaches aspire to become head coaches and lead their own programs, often seizing the first opportunity that arises.

However, Brent Venables is not like most. Widely regarded as one of the top defensive coordinators in college football since 1999, he played a crucial role in the Oklahoma Sooners and Clemson Tigers winning three national championships. Despite his success, he waited until the 2022 season to accept a head coaching position.

Venables took the head coaching position at Oklahoma, where he had spent over 10 years as the defensive coordinator. However, his tenure has not gotten off to a good start. He has recorded two losing seasons in just three years.

This poor performance has led Fox Sports' Joel Klatt to mention on his podcast, "The Joel Klatt Show," that Venables will face significant pressure this year.

"What's Brent Venables at Oklahoma?" Klatt asked. "It's, is this going to work? They've 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."

Klatt said he believes the critical point for Oklahoma and head coach Brent Venables comes early in the season. In their second game, the Sooners will host the Michigan Wolverines. Klatt said that if Oklahoma wins that game, its upcoming SEC schedule will seem less daunting.

Lincoln Riley and Brent Venables are in the same boat.

Now, @joelklatt wonders if this is going to work for either one of them. pic.twitter.com/RK6j1oBFrS
— The Joel Klatt Show: A CFB Pod (@JoelKlattShow) June 11, 2025

Klatt predicts that Oklahoma could finish 2-4 in its toughest SEC matchups, which would result in a five-loss season in Norman. He questions whether Venables could survive such a season. Venables' buyout stands at $34.9 million after this season, and speculation suggests that this could be his final year, just one year after he signed a contract extension.

Venables signed a six-year deal following the 2023 season, which the Oklahoma Board of Regents approved in June 2024. The contract 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 upon his hiring. 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 the Illinois State Redbirds.

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

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