Oklahoma has decided to part ways with offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Seth Littrell following a series of disappointing performances during what has turned out to be a challenging season.
The Sooners, holding a record of 4-3 and 1-3 in the Southeastern Conference, struggled significantly offensively. They managed to accumulate only 237 yards in a 34-3 defeat against top-ranked Texas on October 12, and in their recent game against South Carolina, they could only muster 291 yards, leading to a 35-9 loss at home. Historically an offensive powerhouse, Oklahoma’s struggles this season, which marks their first in the SEC, have highlighted their position among the weakest offenses in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). These issues have tended to overshadow the performance of what many consider one of the best Sooner defenses in recent seasons.
Following Littrell’s dismissal, the school announced that Joe Jon Finley, who has been serving as co-offensive coordinator, would take charge as the main play caller. Additionally, Kevin Johns has been promoted to co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
In the game against South Carolina, freshman quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. faced a rough start, committing three turnovers within his first nine plays. Two of these turnovers were returned for touchdowns, putting South Carolina ahead 21-0 early on. The Sooners opted to switch to Jackson Arnold, who was the initial starter earlier in the season, and while he managed to guide the team to their only touchdown, the quarterbacks were under constant pressure, getting sacked a total of nine times throughout the game.
After the loss, head coach Brent Venables expressed uncertainty about who would be the starting quarterback for their upcoming match against No. 18 Mississippi.
Previously, Littrell had served as an offensive analyst and stepped into the role of coordinator for the Alamo Bowl following Jeff Lebby’s departure to take up the role of head coach at Mississippi State. Finley, a former player and graduate assistant for Oklahoma, returned to the program in 2021 and has held various roles, including assistant head coach for offense, tight ends, and H-backs coach before being promoted to co-offensive coordinator last November.
Venables praised Finley’s leadership and maintained that his presence is vital for the team’s morale. “The leadership role Joe Jon plays on our team is critical,” he remarked in a statement, expressing gratitude for Finley’s willingness to take on the expanded responsibilities in the midst of the season.