Who are the Oklahoma Sooners' coaches in 2025?

The Oklahoma Sooners are a little over three weeks away from kicking off the 2025 season. OU will host Illinois State in Week 1 in Norman on August 30th, a tune up game against an FCS opponent, before a gigantic matchup the following Saturday against Michigan, also at home.

The team is currently in fall camp, the final stage of the offseason to get ready for a critical year for the program. After a disappointing 2024 season that saw the Sooners go 6-7 overall and 2-6 in the SEC in their first year in the league, there's pressure from all sides to improve in a big way this year.

This offseason has been one of change. Of the 127 players that Oklahoma ended last season with, only 65 have returned for this season. The Sooners lost 62 players since late-November and added 46 players to the roster this offseason, leaving them with 111 total players.

A new general manager in Jim Nagy, a new front office, and the announcement of longtime athletic director Joe Castiglione's impending retirement have also contributed to the number of changes this offseason at the Switzer Center.

The changes have extended to the coaching staff as well. The 2025 season comes with new play-callers on both sides of the ball, new position coaches, and more pressure on returning coaches to perform at a higher level than what we saw last year.

Today, we'll take a look at each member of Oklahoma's primary coaching staff. For this article's purposes, we'll exclude administrators, front office staff and support staff, including coaching analysts. We'll be diving into each of OU's coordinators and position coaches to learn a bit more about each of them as we head into the 2025 season.

Brent Venables, Head Coach

Brent Venables is entering Year 4 as Oklahoma's head coach, facing a make-or-break season. After a 6-7 season in 2022 was followed by a 10-3 campaign in 2023, he was given a contract extension, and things looked good in Norman. The Sooners seemed to be making the move to the SEC at the right time. Then another 6-7 season happened in 2024, and Venables' seat got very hot very quickly.

Venables is also serving as the de-facto defensive coordinator this year, as he is assuming full control of the defense and the defensive play-calling. When it comes to those roles, he's one of the best in college football, winning national championships during his stints as a coordinator at both Oklahoma (1999-2011) and Clemson (2012-2021). One of the many questions surrounding Venables is how he'll juggle defensive play-calling and his duties as the head coach, such as game management.

Venables hasn't had the success many believed he'd have at OU, at least not yet. He's been given one more chance to turn things around in 2025 and prove that last season was an aberration, not the norm.

Ben Arbuckle, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks

Ben Arbuckle was the biggest coaching hire the Sooners had this offseason, and potentially the biggest of the Venables era to this point. Arbuckle was plucked from a national search for a new offensive coordinator after Oklahoma's offense bottomed out in 2024.

Arbuckle was the OC at Western Kentucky for one season in 2022, before spending the last two seasons as the offensive coordinator at Washington State. The 2025 season will be his fourth year calling plays at the collegiate level, and he's had plenty of success doing so over the last four years. He'll bring the Air Raid offense back to Norman, a place where the scheme has had plenty of success over the last quarter-century.

Arbuckle also brings experience coaching quarterbacks with him to Oklahoma, a big plus considering the way last season went down. His time at WSU with John Mateer and his relationship with the transfer quarterback were big factors in getting Mateer to OU. After posting very good numbers together in 2024, the Arbuckle-Mateer duo will try to replicate their success in the SEC in 2025, with familiarity on their side.

DeMarco Murray, Running Backs

DeMarco Murray is entering his sixth year coaching Oklahoma's running backs. Of course, Murray was a star in the OU backfield as a player, suiting up for the Sooners from 2006 to 2010. He is Oklahoma's all-time leader in total touchdowns and all-purpose yards, and he was first-team all-Big 12 twice. He played most of his NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys and was the Offensive Player of the Year in 2014.

The Sooner running backs have been a bit up and down during Murray's tenure. There have been really solid years with players like Rhamondre Stevenson, Kennedy Brooks, and Eric Gray leading the way, but also years like 2024, where nothing seemed to work and the Sooners had to play running back by committee. His rotations have been confusing at times, to say the least, and Oklahoma has often had a bit of a logjam with good, but not great, backs.

The offseason addition of Cal's Jaydn Ott was a big one for Murray. If he can stay healthy, he gives his coach a true lead back again and a dynamic playmaker in 2025. Homegrown products like Jovantae Barnes, Xavier Robinson, Tory Blaylock, and Taylor Tatum (the top running back in the 2024 recruiting class) need to be ready to shoulder the load as well. Oklahoma has a chance to make a big leap at the running back position in 2025.

Joe Jon Finley, Tight Ends

Tight ends coach Joe Jon Finley is another former OU player, with his career in Norman spanning from 2004 to 2007. After coaching stints at Baylor, Missouri, Texas A&M and Ole Miss, he returned to Oklahoma to coach the same position he played. Since 2021, Finley's four years on the staff have been quite a mixed bag. He had early success with the likes of Jeremiah Hall and Brayden Willis in his first two seasons, but the OU tight ends in 2023 and 2024 left a lot to be desired.

Finley was promoted to co-offensive coordinator before last season, but was not going to serve as the play-caller. After Venables shook things up midseason, Finley was left in charge of the offensive play-calling on an interim basis for the rest of the year, while also still coaching the tight end position. With all of the struggles the Sooners had offensively last year, Finley is the only member of the 2024 trio of co-OCs who is still on staff at Oklahoma in 2025. However, he is no longer a co-offensive coordinator and won't call plays; he'll only be responsible for coaching the tight ends.

Now working under Arbuckle, it is Finley's job to get his tight ends ready to contribute in the new OC's system. We don't know exactly what the role will be for the tight ends in this offense yet, but another offseason remodel of the position group has Sooner fans hoping that unit can improve over what's been on the field over the last two seasons.

Emmett Jones, Passing Game Coordinator/Wide Receivers

Emmett Jones is entering his third season on staff at Oklahoma. He coached for many seasons at the high school level in the state of Texas, including a three-season run as a head coach. He's had multiple coaching stints at Texas Tech, with time at Kansas sandwiched in between. Jones has coached wide receivers and been a passing game coordinator at three different schools (including OU) since the 2020 season. During his first run at TTU, he worked for Kliff Kingsbury, now the offensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders. In his second stint there, he coached under Zach Kittley, now the head coach at Florida Atlantic. Kittley and Arbuckle come from a similar offensive coaching tree.

Jones' first season at Oklahoma was excellent. There was noticeable improvement in his wide receivers in 2023, as the Sooners took off in the air to have a dynamic season offensively. Widespread injuries in 2024 meant Jones had his hands tied, losing his top five players for all of the year or the majority of it.

It's almost a brand-new WR room for Jones in 2025. Given his pedigree, it would make sense to believe that his position group will be better this year if they can stay healthy. Getting Deion Burks back for one more year is big for Jones, as he'll be counted upon to be a go-to target for Mateer early on in the season. It was tough to watch Oklahoma's wideouts in 2024, but there's hope that things can get drastically better this year.

Bill Bedenbaugh, Offensive Line

Bill Bedenbaugh has been OU's offensive line coach since 2013. Widely regarded as one of the best in the business, he's produced some of the best offensive lines in college football over the last 12 seasons. Bedenbaugh played under Hal Mumme and Mike Leach at Iowa Wesleyan in the 1990s and started all four years at center. He also coached under Leach at Texas Tech in the 2000s.

After his time in Lubbock, Bedenbaugh coached at Arizona and West Virginia before landing with the Sooners. Bedenbaugh has produced 13 NFL Draft picks in his 12 seasons at OU, including a nation-leading nine offensive tackles over the last 11 years. Anton Harrison and Tyler Guyton both developed into first-round picks under Bedenbaugh's watch, and he also coached standouts like Orlando Brown Jr., Bobby Evans, Ben Powers, Creed Humphrey, Gabe Ikard, Dru Samia, and Cody Ford.

However, offensive line was one of OU's biggest issues in 2024. With no retuning starters and plenty of injuries, they couldn't protect the passer or open up holes in the run game last year. Bedenbaugh is still one of the best at what he does, but all eyes will be on a re-tooled offensive line in 2025. Growth from younger players, solid recruiting, and a few transfer portal additions make Bedenbaugh's group hopeful for big improvement this fall.

Todd Bates, Associate Head Coach/Co-Defensive Coordinator/Run Defense/Defensive Tackles

Todd Bates is entering his fourth year in Norman, and he's been one of OU's most impactful assistant coaches ever since he arrived on campus. He played at Alabama in the early 2000s and began his FBS coaching career at Jacksonville State before leaving to work for Venables at Clemson in 2017.

Bates and Venables have been together ever since, as the Tigers developed fearsome defensive tackles under Bates' watch. He followed Venables to Oklahoma, where he's helped rebuild his position group into one of the SEC's best. That unit has undergone a very impressive transformation since Bates took over. In addition, Bates will be instrumental in helping Venables gameplan the defense during the week, especially up front.

Bates was the Rivals 2019 National Recruiter of the Year, and he has displayed that same prowess at Oklahoma. His current DT room of Jayden Jackson, Damonic Williams, Gracen Halton, and David Stone looks ready to help the Sooners control the middle of the line of scrimmage, despite losing an enforcer in Da'Jon Terry to the NFL. He was clearly a big factor in keeping Stone at Oklahoma this spring, helping to ensure that the future of the defensive tackle position looks as bright as the present does under Bates' guidance.

Miguel Chavis, Defensive Ends

Defensive ends coach Miguel Chavis also joined Venables' defensive staff at Clemson in 2017, and also followed him to Norman when he got the OU job. Chavis played for the Tigers for four seasons and helped with defensive player development at Clemson. His current gig is his first as a position coach.

Chavis has been instrumental in the development of players like Ethan Downs, Caiden Woullard, Trace Ford, and R Mason Thomas. Oklahoma's defensive ends have improved each year under Chavis' watch, and he's worked closely with Venables and Bates to help rebuild the front of the Oklahoma defense. He's recruited well, with the Sooners' roster littered with young, blue-chip DEs who hope to make a difference in the coming seasons.

Chavis has coached Thomas for his entire career and watched him enjoy a breakout season in 2024. He'll be one of OU's most important defensive players in 2025, as he has the ability to change games with his skills as a pass-rusher. Chavis will also have the services of homegrown players in Adepoju Adebawore and Taylor Wein, to go with portal add Marvin Jones Jr., in what could be a big year for Oklahoma's defensive ends under his tutelage.

Nate Dreiling, Inside Linebackers

Nate Dreiling is new to the Oklahoma staff in 2025. He played college football at Pittsburg State, where he was a four-time All-American and won a national championship in 2011. He's been a defensive coordinator at Pittsburgh State, New Mexico State, and Utah State throughout his career, and served as the interim head coach for USU for the entirety of the 2024 season. He was hired as Arkansas State's defensive coordinator this offseason before joining Venables' staff instead.

Dreiling will coach inside linebackers at OU, bringing his history as a defensive coordinator and an interim head coach to the middle of the Sooner defense. He'll be helping Venables during the week with the game plan and offering up his insights, as he focuses on coaching Venables' bread and butter at linebacker.

Dreiling walks into a pretty good situation, with the likes of Kip Lewis, Kobie McKinzie, and Sammy Omosigho at his disposal. The Sooners have been excellent at inside linebacker over the last couple of seasons, and despite losing Danny Stutsman to the NFL, Dreiling is set up nicely for his first season at Oklahoma.

Wes Goodwin, Assistant Linebackers/Outside Linebackers

Wes Goodwin is another newcomer to the 2025 Oklahoma staff. He coached on Venables' defensive staff at Clemson from 2012 to 2014 and again from 2018 to 2021. Once Venables took the OU job, Goodwin was promoted to defensive coordinator for the Tigers, a role he served in until the end of last season. He brings experience working under Venables and three years of defensive play-calling with him to Norman.

Goodwin will have a variety of roles on the OU staff. He'll assist Dreiling in coaching the linebackers, while also coaching the outside linebackers himself, mainly the Cheetah position. Like Dreiling, he'll bring a defensive coordinator's perspective to Venables, helping him get ready for the opposing offense during the week. With Venables taking over the job of play-calling, it'll be a team effort from OU's defensive coaching staff to get the team ready for what will be thrown their way on Saturdays.

Goodwin will have options at Cheetah in 2025. Kendel Dolby is excellent in that role, but may play more outside cornerback this year. That would leave Goodwin with Kendal Daniels and Reggie Powers III as his top options, with Omosigho as a backup plan as well. Venables is entrusting his linebackers to Dreiling and Goodwin, and both are walking into advantageous personnel situations in their first seasons on the job.

Jay Valai, Assistant Head Coach for Defense/Co-Defensive Coordinator/Pass Defense/Cornerbacks and Nickelbacks

Jay Valai is entering his fourth season on staff at Oklahoma. He played for Wisconsin and was a captain on the 2010 team that made the Rose Bowl. Before arriving in Norman, Valai coached cornerbacks for one season each at Rutgers, Texas, and Alabama. While he handles a lot of roles, his main focus is OU's cornerbacks.

However, Valai figures to have his hands in a lot of areas of the Oklahoma defense. He should be able to help Goodwin get up to speed in coaching the Cheetah position, and will also aid Venables in figuring out how best to stop the opposing offense during the week. His role is similar to what Bates brings to the table, but Valai handles the back end of the defense. He's clearly a voice that Venables trusts, and swiping him from Alabama was a great get for the Sooners when Venables was putting together his initial staff.

Valai's cornerbacks are hoping to stay healthy this year, but he's developed a couple of studs in Eli Bowen and Gentry Williams. If both can stay on the field, the Sooners will be much harder to throw against than they were in 2024. Valai has also recruited promising depth at CB. Jacobe Johnson, Devon Jordan, Jeremiah Newcombe and Courtland Guillory could all hear their names called to step up in 2025, and all have big potential under Valai's watch.

Brandon Hall, Safeties

Safeties coach Brandon Hall was a support staffer for Oklahoma from 1998 to 2005, and again in 2011. He's taken a long, winding journey back to Norman that has included stints at Central Oklahoma, Arkansas State and Auburn. Hall was Jacksonville State's defensive coordinator for four seasons, coached special teams at Troy for a year, switched to serving as the defense coordinator for three more seasons at Troy, and finally, he was the school's interim head coach in 2021 before Venables hired him to coach safeties for the Sooners.

Hall enters his fourth year at Oklahoma as another member of an experienced defensive staff inside the Switzer Center. Hall's time running defenses and his stint as an interim head coach will be valuable to Venables this season, as the head coach will lean on his defensive staff to help him juggle all of his responsibilities. Hall is a veteran coach who knows what Venables wants, and he's proven he can deliver it.

Hall's safeties have been excellent during his time with the Sooners, especially over the last couple of seasons. Billy Bowman Jr. developed into a weapon under Hall's tutelage, and the next wave of Robert Spears-Jennings and Peyton Bowen looks like they can help lead the Oklahoma defense this year. Hall is simply stellar in his role, and his players bring consistently solid play to the field each week.

Doug Deakin, Special Teams Coordinator

Doug Deakin is now in his second season coaching for the Sooners. He played and coached for San Diego State for 17 seasons from 2007 to 2023. He coached special teams for the Aztecs for his final six seasons with the program, building an impressive resume of special teams excellence during that time.

After two poor seasons on special teams in 2022 and 2023, Venables hired Deakin to oversee the unit last year, and the positive results were immediate. No longer were the Sooners hurting themselves on special teams; instead they were playing up to par. In addition, punter Luke Elzinga turned in an impressive season under Deakin's watch.

Deakin has had a busy offseason as OU's special teams coordinator. After coaching a veteran-laden group in 2024, he's had to reload the unit via the transfer portal. Deakin looks to have his starters in place in punter Jacob Ulrich, kicker Tate Sandell and long-snapper Ben Anderson this preseason. His job now is to figure out how the Sooners can start winning games with their special teams, and how his players can help grab momentum in close, pivotal games in the SEC.

Jerry Schmidt, Director of Sports Enhancement and Strength and Conditioning

Jerry Schmidt is in his fourth consecutive season with the Sooners, but his time at Oklahoma goes back way further than that. Schmidt coordinated strength and conditioning at Oklahoma State, Notre Dame and Florida. During his final three years with the Gators, he worked with defensive coordinator Bob Stoops, who hired Schmidt to be his director of sports enhancement when he took the Oklahoma head coaching job following the 1998 season.

Schmidt served in that role for the entire Stoops era, helping the Sooners become the standard-bearers in the Big 12 and return to form as a national powerhouse during that time. He worked for Lincoln Riley during the 2017 season, but Riley replaced him with Bennie Wylie ahead of the 2018 season, a move that proved to be part of Riley's undoing in Norman. Schmidt was hired for the same role at Texas A&M, where he worked from 2018 to 2021.

When Venables got the Oklahoma job, he immediately brought Schmidt back to Norman as his Director of Sports Enhancement and Strength and Conditioning. One of the best in college football was back where he belonged with a new task: Get OU ready for the SEC. The Sooners have gotten noticeably stronger and more physical over the last four years, due in no small part to the work of Schmidt. He's won two national championships and has worked with a ridiculous seven Heisman Trophy winners during his career. Make no mistake about it, Schmidt is one of the most crucial members of Oklahoma's coaching staff.

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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Oklahoma Sooners' coaching staff heading into the 2025 season