"He can't have another season like this": Paul Finebaum makes bold prediction about SEC coach's job security

One of the most disappointing teams in the SEC was the Oklahoma Sooners. According to SEC Network analyst Paul Finebaum, another less-than-stellar performance could result in changes in Norman.

In “The Paul Finebaum Show”, the analyst said there will be increased pressure on Brent Venables and his staff in 2025 after a disappointing season.

"Oklahoma got the best quarterback in the portal. I think it's essential because as much as I admire Coach Venables, he can't have another season like this. It just won't work," Paul Finebaum said.

The Sooners finished the 2024 season 6-7, with only two conference wins and an Armed Forces Bowl defeat to Navy. For a program expected to contend for conference titles each year the outcome was disappointing, even in their first season in the SEC.

The good news for Oklahoma is that John Mateer, the top quarterback in the transfer portal, will be taking over under center. Mateer finished his sophomore season passing for 3,139 yards, 29 touchdowns, and seven interceptions for the Washington State Cougars.

The 6-1, 219-pound signal caller will join his former offensive coordinator, Ben Arbuckle, at Norman.

The Sooners played Jackson Arnold and Michael Hawkins Jr. at quarterback in 2024, but the offense couldn’t find any consistency, finishing at No. 126 in the nation with 303.2 yards per game.

Venables holds a 22-17 record at Oklahoma since taking over for Lincoln Riley in 2021 and the Sooners have lost all three bowl games they have played under his direction.

While Oklahoma stunned Alabama 24-3 at home, a game that ultimately knocked the Crimson Tide out of the CFP, the Sooners lost three of their final four games of the season, including the Armed Forces Bowl.

The 21-20 loss to Navy was more painful as the Sooners led 14-0 nine minutes into the game, but could only score again with six seconds left, missing the two-point conversion to potentially win the game

Paul Finebaum doesn’t believe Nick Saban will be commissioner

The analyst reacted to James Franklin’s suggestion of having Nick Saban as college football commissioner in an interview with AL.com. Paul Finebaum does not think the former Alabama head coach -or anyone else- has a chance at getting that job.

“The reason why there won’t be a commissioner is that the [4 conference] commissioners are not about to cede power,” Paul Finebaum said.

The Penn State head coach floated Saban’s name for the second time ahead of the Orange Bowl. Franklin believes college football needs an independent commissioner to regulate aspects like conference games and the College Football Playoff.

Judging by Finebaum’s words, it doesn’t look like a change is coming.