How is Oklahoma's search for offensive coordinator going?

Barring an Oklahoma win in one of its two remaining games, in which the Sooners will be decided underdogs, the third season under head coach Brent Venables will come to a discouraging and merciful close.

With the exception of the defense, which was far from perfect but otherwise enjoyed one of its best season performances in over a decade, it was a season seemingly embodying Murphy's Law with anything that could go wrong going wrong, particularly on offense.

The Sooners and coaching staff are busy preparing for what likely will be the final two games of the season as well as early signing day in December for what currently is a top-15 2025 recruiting class. but behind the scenes a diligent and consequential search is going on for a new offensive coordinator. A decision that may be the most important in Venables' time at Oklahoma. His future as the Sooners' head coach may literally depend on it.

The list of potential job candidates has been changing ever since OU alum Seth Littrell was dismissed from the job following the 31-point loss to South Carolina in mid-October, but several names have remained on the list throughout and another wild card is beginning to gain some steam.

Joe Jon Finley was serving as co-offensive coordinator with Littrell and was elevated to the interim OC role and play-calling responsibilities following Littrell's exit. Kevin Johns, who as on staff as an analyst, is now coaching the quarterbacks. Neither is expected to be retained in those roles going forward.

Brennan Marion is the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at UNLV. OU inquired about Marion when conducting the search last year to replace Jeff Lebby, who was named head coach at Mississippi State. Marion UNLV's No. 23 scoring offense a year ago and he has the Runnin' Rebels at No, 6 in that category this season, averaging 40 points per game.

Indiana (10-0) may be the surprise team in the country this season, and the Hoosiers' co-offensive coordinator is Mike Shanahan. The Hoosiers ranks No. 2 in the country in scoring (43.9 per game). That is more than double what it was in the 2023 season without Shanahan.

Zach Kitley is the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Texas Tech. The Red Raiders are tied with Tennessee is scoring offense this season (35.5 points per game) and are 25th in total offense, averaging 441 yards per game. Before joining Joey McGuire's staff at Texas Tech, Kitley led Western Kentucky to the nation's second best offense in 2021 (536.2 ypg).

Another name that is beginning to gain some momentum as a candidate for the OU position is Dan Mullen, former head coach at Florida (twice) and Mississippi State and currently a college football analyst and sometimes broadcast commentator for ESPN. Although this might be considered a stretch, given that Mullen, as a former head coach, may be willing to leave his ESPN position only for another head coaching opportunity, former Oklahoma player and now ESPN college football analyst Dusty Dvorcek believes OU would be wise to reach out and at least make the call to Mullen.

Dvoracek was a guest last week with former Sooner players Gabe Ikard and Teddy Lehman on the "Oklahoma Breakdown with Ikard and Lehman" podcast and said he would make the call to Mullen if he was Venables.

"On my list, my number one person I'm calling is Dan Mullen," Dvoracek said. "I have no idea if he would even entertain the conversation...but I'd pick up the phone and make him tell me no. The dude can coach offense with anybody in the sport, and he can develop quarterbacks as well as anybody in the sport."

Dvoracek might be a bit biased in his recommendation. Obviously he has a keen interest in Oklahoma doing well, but he and Mullen are also colleagues at ESPN on college football broadcasts.

Whether Venables takes Dvoracek up on his suggestion is a matter of conjecture, but the one thing we do know for certain is that Venables and the Sooners can't afford not to get the offensive coordinator hire right.