Oklahoma heads into the season with many uncertainties, and head coach Brent Venables isn’t planning to reveal anything to future opponents.
In their debut season in the Southeastern Conference, the Sooners have new coordinators for both offense and defense. Joe Jon Finley, previously the tight ends coach, is now co-offensive coordinator alongside Seth Littrell, who has been promoted from analyst to offensive coordinator.
At the Fostering Future’s OU Coaches Luncheon, Venables, Finley, and Littrell addressed fans and questions from Toby Rowland, the voice of Sooners football. When asked about changes in the offense, Finley humorously deferred, pointing at Venables and indicating he couldn’t reveal much without upsetting the head coach.
The first glimpses of the new offense came during the Alamo Bowl against Arizona and the spring game in April, though these outings didn’t offer much insight. The Alamo Bowl came shortly after the departure of former offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby, leaving the team with limited preparation time. Similarly, the spring game kept many plays under wraps to prevent opponents from gaining useful information.
Finley described the Sooners’ offense as aggressive and attack-oriented, with a focus on utilizing their playmakers effectively.
On defense, Oklahoma will be without former defensive coordinator Ted Roof, who has moved to UCF. Venables has appointed Zac Alley, a former Clemson assistant, to the role. Alley shares Venables’ energy and coaching philosophy, and Venables praised Alley for his bright mind, vision, instincts, and ability to connect with players.
The Sooners will kick off their season on August 30 against Temple.
