BREAKING LIVE: Oklahoma fires OC Seth Littrell ahead of Ole Miss matchup” as New offensive coordinator” officially set to take over play-calling duties” see full details…
The Oklahoma Sooners have made a significant change in their football coaching staff ahead of their crucial matchup against Ole Miss, parting ways with offensive coordinator Seth Littrell. The move comes as the Sooners have struggled offensively in recent games, and head coach Brent Venables has turned to co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Joe Jon Finley to assume play-calling duties for the remainder of the season.
### Struggles Under Littrell
Seth Littrell, who joined the Oklahoma staff in the offseason after a successful tenure as head coach at North Texas, was expected to bring an innovative approach to the Sooners’ offense. However, Oklahoma’s performance under his direction has been disappointing. The Sooners, known for their high-powered offensive schemes in recent years, have failed to meet expectations this season. Key statistics such as total offense, points per game, and third-down conversions have all fallen well below the standard for a program of Oklahoma’s caliber.
The breaking point for Littrell’s tenure came after a series of frustrating losses, most notably to rivals like Texas and South Carolina. The loss to South Carolina was particularly troubling, as the Sooners managed to score only 9 points in a game where the offensive unit looked stagnant and disorganized. These struggles, combined with mounting pressure from fans and boosters, led head coach Brent Venables and the administration to make the difficult decision to relieve Littrell of his duties.
### Joe Jon Finley Takes Over
In an effort to salvage the season, Venables has turned to Joe Jon Finley, a familiar face to Oklahoma fans, to take over play-calling responsibilities. Finley, who played tight end for Oklahoma in the mid-2000s, has been an integral part of the Sooners’ coaching staff since 2021. He has a reputation as a strong developer of talent and has worked with the Sooners’ tight ends and H-backs over the past few seasons.
Finley is also highly regarded for his understanding of Oklahoma’s offensive system, which should help provide continuity despite the mid-season coaching change. Although he has not held primary play-calling duties at this level before, Finley is expected to bring a fresh perspective and energy to the role. His familiarity with the players and the system could help spark a much-needed turnaround for the Sooners as they enter the final stretch of the season.
### Immediate Challenges
Finley’s first test will come in the form of a tough Ole Miss defense. The Rebels have been one of the more competitive teams in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) this season, known for their aggressive defensive schemes and ability to generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Finley will need to develop a game plan that can neutralize the Rebels’ pass rush and open up opportunities for Oklahoma’s skill position players, including quarterback Dillon Gabriel and star wide receiver Jalil Farooq.
One of Finley’s primary tasks will be to reinvigorate the Sooners’ ground game, which has been inconsistent throughout the season. Running back Tawee Walker has shown flashes of brilliance but has struggled to find consistency behind an offensive line that has battled injuries and poor performance. Establishing the run will be crucial to helping Gabriel, who has been under constant pressure in recent games, find his rhythm in the passing game.
### Looking Ahead
The decision to fire Seth Littrell reflects the urgency within the Oklahoma football program to turn things around quickly. With a 4-3 record, the Sooners still have an opportunity to finish the season strong and compete for a respectable bowl game, but time is running out. The move to Finley as the play-caller is a gamble, but it may provide the spark the team needs to overcome its offensive struggles.
For Finley, this is a golden opportunity to showcase his leadership and play-calling abilities on a national stage. If he can find success in this new role, it could open the door for more responsibilities or even future opportunities as a full-time offensive coordinator at Oklahoma or elsewhere. For now, his focus will be on preparing the team for a critical matchup against Ole Miss and guiding the Sooners’ offense back to its winning ways.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on the Oklahoma offense to see if this mid-season coaching change will have the desired effect. For the Sooners, the hope is that Joe Jon Finley can bring stability, creativity, and confidence back to a unit that has been in desperate need of a spark.
