The 2024 college football season is finally a wrap. For Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, it’s been over for quite some time.
We’re a month removed from OU’s loss to Navy in the Armed Forces Bowl. It’s been two months since OSU was blasted by Colorado in its season finale.
Here’s a brief recap of what’s happened since then in Norman and Stillwater.
Mike Gundy was almost fired. Then he fired his whole staff. OSU has two new coordinators and a wide-open quarterback race. Gunnar Gundy is back — as a coach!
Meanwhile, at OU, Brent Venables poached the shiny offensive coordinator/quarterback tandem in Ben Arbuckle and John Mateer from Washington State. The Sooners lost their defensive coordinator and have yet to name a new one. Their general manager is leaving for the ministry!
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And that’s just a sampling, which sets the stage for a pivotal 2025 for both programs.
The instability in Norman and Stillwater has reached Richter-scale levels. When was the last time we entered a college football season with this much uncertainty for both OU and OSU? You’d have to go back to the ‘90s.
OU and OSU have been bastions of stability for most of this century.
Since 2000, only Ohio State and Boise State have more wins than OU. Only Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State and Georgia have more College Football Playoff appearances. Bob Stoops led OU to four national championship games, including a win in 2000. Stoops handed off to Lincoln Riley, who had an .846 winning percentage in his five seasons — the best mark in program history. The Sooners have slid under Brent Venables, whose .564 winning percentage at OU is the fourth-worst in the modern era.
OSU has averaged 8.4 wins per season during Gundy’s 20-year tenure. OSU’s 133 wins since 2010 are tied with Michigan for the 11th-most in college football. Only Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz and Clemson’s Dabo Swinney have more wins at their respective schools.
But after a 3-9 season — which featured zero Big 12 wins — Gundy can no longer feel comfortable in his job. Having an awful season is one thing. Doing it while ostracizing the fan base (and drawing the ire of the Board of Regents) is another.
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Gundy is back for Season 21, but under different terms. Gundy agreed to a restructured contract, forced to bend the knee in the very kingdom in which he’s had unilateral power.
No longer.
Gundy in 2025 will be coaching for his job. Same goes for Venables.
Entirely different situations, though.
Gundy’s legacy at OSU is entrenched. He’s the greatest coach in program history. The ending could get ugly, but most break-ups do. Venables, meanwhile, will be fighting to see a fifth season. His $44 million buyout might be the only reason he’ll see a fourth in Norman.
Venables’ future likely hinges on Mateer’s arm and Arbuckle’s playcalling. Venables has done a remarkable job of revamping OU’s defense. OU’s offense, though, has been dreadful under Venables. Arbuckle will be Venables’ third full-time offensive coordinator in four years.
OSU is in even worse shape, needing a total makeover on both sides of the ball. Hence the new coordinator hires.
This is a pivotal juncture for Gundy and Venables. A season that could sway the future of OU and OSU football for years to come.
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Joe Mussatto is a sports columnist for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Joe? Email him at jmussatto@oklahoman.com. Support Joe’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU, OSU football entering pivotal 2025 for Brent Venables, Mike Gundy
