Josh Heupel Linked to Oklahoma Job Amid Brent Venables Exit Buzz

Could Josh Heupel Replace Brent Venables at Oklahoma?

The Oklahoma Sooners football program is at a potential crossroads, and speculation is swirling around the future of head coach Brent Venables.¹

With inconsistent performances and increasing pressure from fans and boosters, whispers of a possible coaching change have grown louder.

One name consistently floated as a potential successor is Josh Heupel, a former Oklahoma quarterback and current head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers. But is this just wishful thinking, or could Heupel truly be on his way back to Norman?

Congrats @KarenWeekly and the Lady Vols! #GBO🍊 https://t.co/apsYq7Cx8t

— Josh Heupel (@coachjoshheupel) May 25, 2025

Brent Venables’ Rocky Road at Oklahoma

Brent Venables was a highly touted hire when he returned to Oklahoma in 2022 to replace Lincoln Riley.

A longtime defensive coordinator with Clemson, Venables was expected to bring toughness and consistency to a Sooners squad that had faltered in big moments.

However, the results have been underwhelming. Over the last three seasons, Venables has endured two losing records—an unacceptable outcome for a blue-blood program with national championship aspirations.

While he has shown flashes of promise, inconsistency and defensive lapses have plagued the team. With the Sooners preparing to enter the SEC full-time, the margin for error is shrinking rapidly.

Josh Heupel’s Tennessee Transformation

Josh Heupel has quietly built one of the most potent programs in the SEC.²

Since taking over the Tennessee Volunteers in 2021, he has compiled winning records in every season, earned national respect, and guided the team to the College Football Playoff in 2023.

In just four seasons, Heupel has transformed Tennessee from an afterthought in the SEC into a legitimate contender.

His innovative offensive system and player development have earned him accolades, including the 2022 SEC Coach of the Year award. With a CFP-ready roster and an upward trajectory, Heupel’s stock has never been higher.

An Emotional Connection to Norman

Heupel isn’t just a coaching candidate with credentials—he’s a living legend in Norman. As Oklahoma’s quarterback from 1999 to 2000, Heupel led the Sooners to a national championship and finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting.

He was the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year in 2000, a First Team All-American, and left an indelible mark on the program’s history.

His coaching roots also trace back to Oklahoma, where he started as a graduate assistant in 2004 and later served as quarterbacks coach and co-offensive coordinator from 2006 to 2014.

Heupel’s deep ties to the university give fans and analysts alike reason to wonder if a return is destined.

Chris Low: “There’s a Disconnect”

On a recent episode of The Next Round, ESPN’s Chris Low offered some insight into Heupel’s relationship with his alma mater.

While acknowledging Heupel’s strong personal ties with former teammates and friends from his playing days, Low hinted at a “clear disconnect” between Heupel and the Oklahoma administration.

“He’s still very close to a lot of the guys he played with there,” Low said. “In fact, several of them were there last year and some of them were on the Tennessee sideline… I don’t know, though, that he would go back there and be the head coach. You never say never. Right?”

This disconnect could stem from Heupel’s firing from the Oklahoma staff in 2015 by then-head coach Bob Stoops. The firing was reportedly more performance-related than personal, but it still may have left a lasting impact.

Why the Sooners Would Want Heupel

From a football standpoint, Heupel is a near-perfect candidate. He knows the program, the fan base, and the recruiting grounds. More importantly, he’s proven that he can win in the modern SEC landscape.

His offensive acumen is well-documented—Tennessee regularly ranks among the top in scoring and total offense.

His ability to attract and develop quarterbacks is also a strong selling point, especially for a program that has struggled to find consistency under center in recent years.

If Oklahoma wants to compete with Georgia, Alabama, and LSU in its new conference home, bringing in a battle-tested, innovative head coach like Heupel could be the bold move required.

Would Josh Heupel Want to Return?

This is the critical question.

While many believe Heupel could be interested in returning to his alma mater, the reality may be more complicated. Tennessee has given him full support, and his program is thriving.

He has a strong recruiting pipeline, passionate fan base, and financial security. Jumping to Oklahoma—especially with unresolved tensions—might not be appealing at this stage of his career.

Plus, if Tennessee remains a top contender in the SEC, there’s no competitive advantage to moving. Oklahoma may hold sentimental value, but Heupel must weigh that against the progress he’s made in Knoxville.

The Timing Factor: Why 2026 Makes Sense

If Heupel were to make a move, the 2026 season could be a natural pivot point. By then, Oklahoma will be fully immersed in the SEC and the verdict on Venables’ tenure will be clear.

If the Sooners fail to show substantial progress by that time, pressure to make a change will be immense.

Heupel, meanwhile, may have achieved everything he can at Tennessee. If he leads the Vols to another playoff appearance or even a national championship, he may feel it’s time to come full circle.

Despite mounting criticism, Venables still has time to right the ship. The 2024 and 2025 seasons will be crucial. If he can deliver double-digit wins, contend in the SEC, and bring defensive consistency, the conversation around his job security may fade.

However, another subpar campaign could seal his fate. Oklahoma has high standards, and with the SEC gauntlet looming, patience may wear thin.

The 2025 college football season is set to be a pivotal one for Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel.³

With the College Football Playoff (CFP) expanding and expectations mounting in Knoxville, Heupel will need a signature win to boost his program’s national profile.

According to respected FOX Sports analyst Joel Klatt, that defining moment could come in November when the Volunteers welcome Oklahoma to Neyland Stadium.

For Heupel, who once led the Sooners to a national championship as their quarterback, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Joel Klatt Identifies the Pivotal Matchup

Joel Klatt, a longtime college football analyst, didn’t hesitate to highlight the importance of Tennessee’s November showdown against Oklahoma. In his words, “That’s the game.

That’s the moment that the pressure comes to fruition for Josh Heupel.” While Tennessee faces perennial powerhouses Georgia and Alabama, Klatt believes the Oklahoma contest may determine whether the Vols are legitimate CFP contenders or merely a good SEC team falling short of elite status.

Klatt anticipates that Tennessee will enter the second half of the season with a 5-1 record, potentially having lost to Georgia in the first half.

But the real challenge, as Klatt notes, comes later. With difficult road games and a high-stakes clash against Heupel’s alma mater, the Volunteers’ postseason fate may hang in the balance.

Tennessee’s Road to the Showdown

• The Volunteers’ 2025 campaign begins with a relatively manageable slate of games. Assuming wins in five of their first six contests, Tennessee should be in a strong position entering the brutal back half of the schedule.
• However, the stretch begins with two tough road trips: first to Tuscaloosa to take on Alabama, followed by a trip to Lexington to face Kentucky. These two games are likely to define Tennessee’s momentum heading into the Oklahoma game.
• If Tennessee loses to both Alabama and Georgia, they’ll be sitting at 5-2, likely out of SEC title contention but still in the CFP hunt—depending on how the rest of the nation shakes out.
• A win over Kentucky would bring them to 6-2 and set the stage for a do-or-die battle against Oklahoma. With New Mexico State, Florida, and Vanderbilt rounding out the season, a win over OU could potentially lead to a 9-3 or even 10-2 finish.
• The storyline becomes even more compelling given Heupel’s personal history with Oklahoma.
• As the Sooners’ quarterback in 2000, he led the team to a national championship under Bob Stoops and finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting.
• He later served on OU’s coaching staff, making the upcoming matchup a deeply personal one.
• This is more than just another SEC versus Big 12-style matchup—it’s a clash of identity, of past versus present.
• For Heupel, beating Oklahoma wouldn’t just signify progress for Tennessee; it would also serve as a symbolic milestone in his coaching journey.
• Taking down the school where he became a legend would validate his leadership of the Vols and showcase his ability to build a new powerhouse in Knoxville.

Josh Heupel: The CFP Landscape in 2025

With the CFP expanding to 12 teams in 2025, the bar for playoff qualification is slightly lower, but the margin for error remains razor-thin.

Strength of schedule, quality wins, and momentum in November will all be critical. A 9-3 or 10-2 Tennessee team with a victory over Oklahoma would be in strong position for a playoff berth, especially if other Power 5 contenders slip late in the year.

Conversely, a loss to the Sooners could be devastating. A 6-3 or 7-3 record at that point in the season would likely knock Tennessee out of serious playoff contention, reducing the final stretch of games to a battle for bowl positioning rather than national relevance.

The Emotional X-Factor

The emotional stakes of this game can’t be overstated. Heupel will be coaching against the program that gave him his greatest playing success—and later dismissed him from the coaching staff.

While he’s repeatedly downplayed any animosity, the desire to prove himself against Oklahoma will be quietly burning beneath the surface.

For Tennessee fans, beating Oklahoma isn’t just about Heupel’s redemption—it’s about reasserting their place among college football’s elite. Neyland Stadium will be electric, packed with 100,000 fans hoping to witness a program-defining victory.

 

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Potential Recruiting Impact

A high-profile win over Oklahoma would also carry significant recruiting implications. Tennessee has been trending upward in recent classes, but competing with schools like Georgia, Alabama, and Oklahoma for elite talent requires more than just facilities and tradition. Wins in marquee matchups demonstrate to recruits that they can compete for championships in Knoxville.

The visibility and hype surrounding the Oklahoma game will undoubtedly draw attention from top high school prospects, many of whom will be watching closely or even attending in person.

A victory could swing a few undecided recruits in Tennessee’s favor, further accelerating the program’s rise.

Final Stretch: Taking Care of Business

After Oklahoma, the Vols close the season with three winnable games: New Mexico State at home, Florida on the road, and Vanderbilt in Knoxville.

While Florida has been inconsistent, the rivalry game is always tricky, especially in Gainesville. Still, if Tennessee enters this stretch with seven wins and a win over Oklahoma under their belt, they’ll be poised for a double-digit win season and potential playoff berth.

However, letdowns after emotional highs are not uncommon in college football. Heupel will need to keep his team grounded and focused regardless of the Oklahoma outcome to ensure they finish strong.