The Oklahoma Sooners’ first season in the SEC was a rough lesson in survival. While their bitter rival and SEC newcomer, the Texas Longhorns, made the College Football Playoff before falling in the semifinal, “OU” limped to a 6-6 record before falling to Navy in the Armed Forces Bowl.
In an exclusive interview on SEC Radio, Oklahoma Athletic Director Joe Castiglione addressed the program’s challenges under head coach Brent Venables, whose first year in the SEC sparked some intense criticism.
Oklahoma AD Joe Castiglione Says He’s Still Supporting Brent Venables, Despite SEC Struggles
Oklahoma’s inaugural SEC campaign exposed the relentless grind of the conference.
“In this league, a B-minus performance will get you beat almost everywhere,” Castiglione said, reflecting on the Sooners’ 2-6 SEC record.
The team finished 6-7 overall, marking just the second time in over a century that Oklahoma had multiple losing seasons in a three-year span.
“It’s the gauntlet everybody said… that’s what we signed up for, that’s where we want to be.”
@soonerad Joe Castiglione talked about Year 1 in the @SEC for @OU_Athletics on #SECThisMorning!
#BoomerSooner | @RoyPhilpott | @ChrisDoering pic.twitter.com/K6fiwxOjJF— College Sports on SiriusXM (@SXMCollege) July 6, 2025
Castiglione noted the advice from SEC coaches he talked with, who told him, “You have to survive it.” Unexpected losses, he explained, often come from the cumulative toll of the season’s physical and mental demands. That’s something he and the coaching staff already knew before signing up. “That’s what we signed up for, that’s where we want to be.”
Brent Venables, now in his fourth year, faces a pivotal 2025 season. After a 6-7 debut in 2022, he delivered a 10-3 campaign in 2023, including a signature win over Texas. But 2024’s offensive collapse, with an ineffective co-offensive coordinator setup, injuries to wide receivers, and an unimpressive offensive line, derailed the team’s progress.
The Sooners averaged just 175.8 passing yards per game in 2024, ranking 119th nationally. Their rushing attack fared better at 155.2 yards per game, but the overall offensive struggles were evident in losses to South Carolina (35-9), Ole Miss (26-14), and LSU (37-17).
XAVIER ROBINSON FOR SIX 😤
OKLAHOMA TAKES THE LEAD OVER NO. 7 ALABAMA‼️ pic.twitter.com/WZLBsjxzPq
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) November 24, 2024
Despite this, Venables’ elite defense gave their best when needed, culminating in a 24-3 upset over then-No. 7 Alabama. Castiglione remains confident in Venables’ ability to rebound, pointing to his track record and recent staff overhaul, including the transfer of Washington State QB John Mateer and a new offensive coordinator.
How Tough Will Oklahoma’s 2025 Schedule Really Be?
Oklahoma’s 2025 schedule is one of the toughest in college football. The Sooners face seven home games and five road contests, including brutal trips to Tennessee, Alabama, and South Carolina. They also host Michigan in Week 2, a hyped non-conference matchup Castiglione spent over a decade securing.
The Red River Rivalry against Texas remains at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, where Oklahoma will face a Longhorns team coming off a College Football Playoff appearance. Other SEC home games include Auburn, Ole Miss, Missouri, and LSU.
SEE HOW THE SOONERS’ 2025 SLATE COMPARES TO THE REST IN OUR ANNUAL STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE RANKINGS
With the College Football Playoff now a 12-team format, navigating this gauntlet while staying competitive is critical for Venables’ future. Many fans expect at least eight or nine wins, but a loss to Texas could be a breaking point. Historically, a 1-3 record against the Longhorns in four years would be untenable for any Oklahoma coach.
The 2022 season saw Oklahoma stay competitive despite a gutted roster, losing five of seven games by three points or less, but even in 2024’s turmoil, the Alabama blowout showed Venables’ potential. But with mounting pressure and fan expectations, Castiglione’s support may hinge on competitiveness as much as wins.
Venables has already made significant changes for 2025, taking over defensive play-calling duties himself while adding former Arkansas State defensive coordinator Nate Dreiling and former Clemson defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin to his staff. The quarterback position now belongs to Mateer, who transferred from Washington State after throwing for 3,139 yards and 29 touchdowns in 2024.
Now the task falls to Venables as he looks to prove that the Sooners can survive — and thrive — in the SEC.
