Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables is facing a storm of emotions ahead of this weekend’s critical SEC opener against Auburn. While preparing for the return of his former quarterback, Jackson Arnold, Venables also delivered devastating injury news that sidelines a key team leader, setting the stage for a dramatic showdown in Norman.
How Does Brent Venables View His Time with Jackson Arnold?
Brent Venables addressed his handling of Jackson Arnold during the difficult 2024 season, revealing his one major regret. Responding to an insider tweet from Adam Cole, the Oklahoma coach admitted, “The only thing I wish was different” regarding the quarterback situation last fall, “is we had a healthy offensive football team.”
When asked if he would have managed Arnold differently, Venables was direct, noting, “That’s it. Nothing else. A lot of it’s out of your control.”
Oklahoma HC Brent Venables says, “The only thing I wish was different” in terms of handling OU’s QBs/Jackson Arnold last fall “is we had a health offensive football team.”
BV: “That’s it. Nothing else. A lot of it’s out of your control.”
— Adam Cole (@colereporter) September 17, 2025
Venables emphasized that Arnold’s struggles were not solely the quarterback’s fault. “You can’t play quarterback by yourself,” he said, pointing to the wave of injuries that plagued Oklahoma’s roster in 2024. The issues were clear, as the Sooners allowed 50 sacks while being forced to play the second-most freshmen in the country.
“Our issues last year started with a roster that was devastated by injuries,” Venables explained. He added that many young players were pushed into action before they were ready.
Despite the challenges in Oklahoma, Venables praised his former quarterback’s current performance at Auburn. “I think he’s the same guy. I think he’s got a healthy football team around him and he’s having great success running, throwing, being really efficient,” the coach noted. He also observed that Arnold is “taking care of the ball, and the people around him are good.”
What Does Troy Everett’s Injury Mean for the Sooners?
Just as the team prepared for Arnold’s return, Venables announced that veteran center Troy Everett suffered a season-ending knee injury during practice last week. The news was a significant blow to the Sooners’ offensive line.
In a clip shared by “KOKH FOX 25,” an emotional Venables discussed the situation. “Yeah, he had a season-ending injury a week ago last Tuesday, I hate that for him,” Venables said. “It’s just devastating, same injury, other knee that he had a little over a year and a half ago.”
The University of Oklahoma head coach, Brent Venables, discusses the season-ending knee injury for OU center Troy Everett. pic.twitter.com/VtVRTIlRBT
— KOKH FOX 25 (@OKCFOX) September 17, 2025
This marks the second major knee injury for Everett, who missed five games in 2024 with a similar issue. Before this setback, the coach noted that Everett “was having a really good year and just a great leader.”
Venables expressed his sympathy, saying he felt terrible for Everett, considering “all the pain, the sacrifice that he’s been through.” However, he also praised his player’s resilience. “But he’s really tough and he’ll move on, move forward.” He added that Everett “will have to lead in a different type of way” and “will find another way to use all the leadership qualities that he has to help us.”
With Everett sidelined, Stanford transfer Jake Maikkula will now take over the starting center position. Arnold’s return to Norman and Oklahoma’s roster being hit hard by another significant injury ensures that this Saturday’s game will be an emotional contest for both programs.
