Major Update: Oklahoma Sooners Strengthened Its Football Coaching Staff with Key Hires Designed to Improve Both Offensive and Defensive Strategies.
On offense, following the departure of offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby to Mississippi State after the 2023 season, head coach Brent Venables promoted offensive analyst Seth Littrell to offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Littrell, an Oklahoma alumnus and former head coach at North Texas, brought experience and familiarity to the role. However, after seven games into the 2024 season, Littrell was dismissed due to underwhelming offensive performance. Subsequently, tight ends coach Joe Jon Finley assumed play-calling duties, and offensive analyst Kevin Johns was elevated to interim co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
Defensively, the Sooners experienced transitions as well. Defensive coordinator Ted Roof mutually parted ways with the program after two years, during which the defense saw notable improvements. To fill the vacancy, Venables appointed Jacksonville State defensive coordinator Zac Alley as co-defensive coordinator, alongside internal promotions for Todd Bates and Jay Valai to co-defensive coordinator roles. Despite these strategic hires, Alley departed for West Virginia after the 2024 season, prompting another search for a defensive coordinator.
