The Sooners have not had a season that lives up to the lofty expectations at the University of Oklahoma. In his third year with the Sooners, Brent Venables is staring at his second losing season.

There will be changes at some point because this team’s offensive performance hasn’t been good enough. Brent Venables, the head coach who made the hires, bears that responsibility. At the same time, he’s helped turn the defense into a good one.

Venables has recruited well, and after a 10-win season in 2023, he was rewarded with an extension from the OU Board of Regents. His current contract is set to run through the 2029 season. Venables’ contract ranks No. 15 in the nation, just behind Dan Lanning who was hired at Oregon the same offseason the Sooners brought Venables to Oklahoma.

While some might want to see changes from the top down, it may not be reasonable for the Sooners to move on from Brent Venables despite this season’s disappointment. According to the USA TODAY Sports Coaching Salary database, Venables’ buy-out on Dec. 1 would be $44.8 million.

That buy-out is No. 10 in the nation in 2024 and the fifth-highest in the SEC. Only Kirby Smart, Kalen DeBoer, Brian Kelly, and Steve Sarkisian have larger buy-outs in 2024.

The Oklahoma Sooners have some big questions to answer moving forward, in particular on the offensive side of the ball. But the head coach may be given more time to get it right.