Latest news with #ThePaulFinebaumShow
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Paul Finebaum Names Major SEC Coach Who Can't Survive Another Bad Season
Paul Finebaum Names Major SEC Coach Who Can't Survive Another Bad Season originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The 2025 college football season is quickly approaching, and several high-profile coaches are under pressure to deliver better results, as failure to do so could cost them their jobs. Advertisement One coach facing this pressure is Brent Venables, the head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners. A disappointing 6-7 record in 2024 marked the second time in three seasons Venables led the team to a losing record. Before his arrival in 2022, Oklahoma had not experienced a losing season since 1998. During a segment on "The Paul Finebaum Show," SEC Network analyst Paul Finebaum was asked which coach is under the most pressure heading into the new season. Venables' name came up among several others discussed. Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables© SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images "I think the one out near you (Venables) is going to be in deep trouble if he doesn't have a big season," Finebaum said. "I don't think I'm telling you anything that you don't know." Advertisement Finebaum expressed doubt that Venables can endure another disappointing season. However, he did not specify how many wins Venables needs this year to secure his position. Last season, there was some discussion among fans about Venables being on the hot seat due to the team's struggles. At that time, his buyout was set at $44.8 million, but it has now decreased to $34.9 million. The speculation that this could be Venables' final year comes just one year after he signed a contract extension. Venables signed a new six-year deal following the 2023 season. This contract, approved by the Oklahoma Board of Regents in June 2024, guarantees him an annual salary of over $8.5 million throughout its duration. Initially, he signed a six-year, $43.5 million contract with the Sooners in December 2021 when he was hired. Venables' contract is fully guaranteed, and after this season, his buyout will decrease by nearly $10 million each year until the contract expires. Advertisement His team is set to open the season at 6 p.m. ET on Aug. 30 against Illinois State. Related: Greg McElroy Reveals Dark Horse to Win the SEC in 2025 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Paul Finebaum Names Prominent College Football Coach Running Out of Time
Paul Finebaum Names Prominent College Football Coach Running Out of Time originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The 2024 college football season has been another challenging year for one of the sport's most historic programs. Advertisement The Oklahoma Sooners have long been considered a gold standard in college football. They rank No. 6 all-time in wins with 950 and No. 5 in win percentage. Additionally, they are No. 9 in national championships with seven and have secured 50 conference championships. However, last season marked their second 6-7 record in three years under head coach Brent Venables, a feat that had not occurred at Oklahoma since the 1998 season. During "The Paul Finebaum Show" on the SEC Network, it was suggested that Venables may not survive another disappointing season. Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables turned heads with his "horns down" recruitment picture.© Stephen Lew-Imagn Images "He's had two bad years out of three," Finebaum said. "Oklahoma is not going to put up with that another year." Advertisement If the Sooners were to let Venables go, it would come at a hefty price. Venables' buyout stands at $34.9 million after this season. This speculation from Finebaum comes just one year after Venables signed a big contract extension. Venables signed a six-year deal following the 2023 season, which the Oklahoma Board of Regents approved in June 2024. The contract guarantees him an annual salary of over $8.5 million throughout its duration. Initially, he signed a six-year, $43.5 million contract with the Sooners in December 2021. Venables' contract is fully guaranteed, and after this season, his buyout will decrease by nearly $10 million each year until the contract expires. There is some optimism this season for the Sooners, as they have added former Washington State Cougars quarterback John Mateer and former California Golden Bears running back Jaydn Ott to their roster. Advertisement Last season, Mateer threw for 3,139 yards, recording 29 touchdowns and just seven interceptions, while rushing for 826 yards and scoring 15 touchdowns. Although Ott struggled with injuries during the 2024 season, he had a strong performance in 2023, rushing for 1,315 yards and scoring 12 touchdowns. They hope to lead Venables' team to a bounce-back season. Oklahoma is set to open the season at 6 p.m. ET on Aug. 30 against the Illinois State Redbirds. Related: Paul Finebaum Reveals the Reason Hype Is Building Around College Football Powerhouse This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Paul Finebaum Names Major College Football Coach Under 'Considerable Pressure'
Paul Finebaum Names Major College Football Coach Under 'Considerable Pressure' originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The 2025 college football season could result in several prominent programs searching for a new head coach. Advertisement One of these programs is the Oklahoma Sooners, led by head coach Brent Venables. So far, Venables' tenure has been less than impressive; he has been with the team for three seasons and has experienced two losing campaigns during that time. Prior to his arrival in 2022, Oklahoma had not recorded a losing season since 1998. However, Venables led the Sooners to a strong 10-3 record in the 2023 season. Now, he aims to replicate that success in 2025. ESPN's Paul Finebaum mentioned on his show, "The Paul Finebaum Show," that if Venables fails to achieve favorable results, his position may be at risk. Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables.© Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images "If that program remains in transition, I think (general manager Jim Nagy) will urge for an overhaul," Finebaum said. "I think Venables is under considerable pressure." Advertisement Finebaum has clearly expressed his views on Venables' future this offseason. He recently stated that Venables has had two disappointing seasons out of three, indicating that Oklahoma is unlikely to tolerate another poor performance. The challenge for Oklahoma is that if it decides to part ways with Venables, it would come at a substantial financial cost. His buyout stands at $34.9 million after this season. The situation is complicated by the fact that Venables signed a significant contract extension just last year. Following the 2023 season, Venables signed a six-year deal approved by the Oklahoma Board of Regents in June 2024. The contract guarantees him an annual salary of over $8.5 million for its duration. He initially signed a six-year, $43.5 million contract with the Sooners in December 2021. Venables' contract is fully guaranteed, and after this season, his buyout will decrease by nearly $10 million each year until the contract expires. Advertisement There is some optimism for the Sooners this season, especially with the addition of top transfer players, including former Washington State Cougars quarterback John Mateer and former California Golden Bears running back Jaydn Ott. Last season, Mateer threw for 3,139 yards, 29 touchdowns against just seven interceptions, and he rushed for 826 yards, scoring 15 touchdowns. Although Ott faced injury challenges during the 2024 season, he had a strong performance in 2023, rushing for 1,315 yards and scoring 12 touchdowns. Oklahoma is set to open the season at 6 p.m. ET on Aug. 30 against the Illinois State Redbirds. Related: Paul Finebaum Names Major SEC Coach Who Can't Survive Another Bad Season This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
16-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
'I really like what I see': Paul Finebaum on the 2025 Oklahoma Sooners
'I really like what I see': Paul Finebaum on the 2025 Oklahoma Sooners In the transfer portal era of college football, programs now have the capability to change so much for their team over just one offseason. A team that excelled can get gutted by players transferring elsewhere, while a team that struggled can make upgrades at the necessary positions to improve the following year. That's what fans of the Oklahoma Sooners are hoping happens for their team in 2025. After a poor season in 2024, OU is in serious need of a bounce-back this year. They made plenty of portal additions this winter and spring to try and avoid another subpar season. Oklahoma's biggest portal acquisition came in the form of a QB upgrade. Washington State's John Mateer replaces former starting quarterback Jackson Arnold, who now plays at Auburn. With the Sooners needing a total revamp on offense after last season's dumpster fire, many believe that Mateer is the key to getting OU back to their high standard on that side of the ball. That list includes Paul Finebaum, who covers college football and the SEC for ESPN and the SEC Network. He hosts "The Paul Finebaum Show," where he expressed his high expectations for Mateer and Oklahoma. "I think John Mateer is going to fit in very well," Finebaum said. "This is based on people who have seen him perform out there and those who know the Sooners' depth chart. I really like what I see. It's a big year. A couple of tricky games. The second half of the schedule, to me, is littered with tough road games." Mateer, along with new offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle, who also comes from Washington State, will be tasked with getting OU back on track offensively. However, Oklahoma's early schedule includes two big home games against Michigan and Auburn. If the Sooners can topple the Wolverines and the Tigers, they should be 5-0 when they head to the Cotton Bowl to face Texas. After the Red River Rivalry, Oklahoma's final six games are all against brutally tough competition. South Carolina, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Alabama, Missouri and LSU is about as tough of a half-season stretch as you can find in college football. It certainly won't be easy against the nation's hardest schedule, but with a difference-maker in place again at the quarterback position, the Sooners have high hopes for the 2025 season. Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
ESPN analyst has words for SMU Football's playoff credibility
ESPN analyst has words for SMU Football's playoff credibility originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Leave it to Paul Finebaum to stir the pot before the first snap of the college football season. The ESPN analyst, never one to mince words, took aim at SMU football during a recent segment of The Paul Finebaum Show, dismissing the Mustangs' 2024 College Football Playoff berth as unearned. 'Last year, SMU got a third-place ribbon. They had no business being in the CFP,' Finebaum said bluntly. Advertisement The comment has sparked major backlash among Mustangs fans and college football insiders, especially given SMU's standout first year in the ACC. The Mustangs went 11-3, won the ACC Coastal Division, and went undefeated in regular-season conference play before narrowly falling to Clemson 30-27 in the ACC title game. Southern Methodist Mustangs head coach Rhett Lashlee leads his team to the field before the 2024 ACC Championship game against the Clemson Tigers at Bank of America Stadium. :Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images Created: Despite the loss, SMU secured a spot in the expanded 12-team CFP. While their postseason ended with a 38-10 loss to No. 6 Penn State, the selection committee deemed their resume strong enough, especially in a year filled with parity across the Power Four. Finebaum's critique raises a larger question: what does it really take for programs outside the traditional elite to be respected? Advertisement With a 2025 slate that includes matchups against Clemson, Louisville, and Miami, and a non-conference gauntlet featuring Baylor and TCU, SMU has a chance to prove last season wasn't a fluke. The Mustangs aren't just playing for wins this fall, they're playing for national credibility. And thanks to Finebaum, they've got bulletin board material before Week 1. If Finebaum wanted to wake a sleeping giant in Dallas, he may have just succeeded. Related: SMU Football Makes Underrated Hire After Playoff Season Related: SMU Football Faces Backlash After Team GPA Under Rhett Lashlee Surfaces This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
