Following back-to-back losses, the Oklahoma Sooners have allegedly fired offensive coordinator Seth Littrell, citing that he hasn’t performed up to OU standards this season and that they thought a change was now required.
Key Takeaways
- A source verified several claims from OU Insider and Sooner Scoop on Sunday night. Oklahoma coach Brent Venables made the difficult decision.
- The OU fans also seem relieved that Seth was fired. They felt it was essential because the team’s performance worsened over time.
The Sooners’ offense, which ranks No. 107 nationally in scoring offense with 22.1 points per game, has only managed eight touchdowns in five games under Littrell’s leadership this season.
Oklahoma’s record under Head Coach Venables after the loss against the Gamecocks is now 4-3 overall and 1-3 in SEC play.
Littrell spent one season as a staff analyst in 2023 before being promoted to offensive coordinator before 2024.
After Jeff Lebby left to take over as head coach at Mississippi State, Venables’ staff was void.
Littrell’s promotion was considered a means of maintaining some of Lebby’s overseen offensive success.
In addition, Littrell has a long history of being connected to successful offenses as a head and assistant coach. He also won a national championship with the Sooners while playing fullback.
The choice seemed reasonable at the time, considering the skill in the quarterback room, but the outcome has shown a sharp decline from the offensive success of the previous season.
On Sunday, offensive coordinator Seth Littrell was fired after seven seasons due to consecutive losses.
Seth Littrell Fired After The Offense This Season Didn’t Live up to the OU Standard
A day after Oklahoma’s 35-9 home defeat to South Carolina, the Sooners fired offensive coordinator Seth Littrell due to the offense’s ongoing troubles.
In his debut season leading Oklahoma’s offense, Littrell, the former head coach of North Texas.
He was scheduled to make $1.1 million under a contract expiring at the end of 2026. However, he was sacked before the expiration.
A source verified several claims from OU Insider and Sooner Scoop on Sunday night that Oklahoma coach Brent Venables made the difficult decision.
BREAKING: Seth Littrell is out as the #Sooners’ offensive coordinator after just eight games.
— OUInsider (@OUInsider) October 20, 2024
Sources indicate tight ends coach Joe Jon Finley will take over as the principal playcaller.
MORE ➡️ https://t.co/1vzeMdYgNM pic.twitter.com/HNWFDJDKAh
Oklahoma coach Brent Venables expressed his take behind the bold move in a statement, saying:
Seth is an all-time great Sooner, He has a deep love for this university and football program, and has poured his heart and soul into both. Despite that, our performance as an offense this season has not at all lived up to the OU standard and I felt a change was necessary now.
Via Sooner Sports
In the statement, coach Venables emphasized how hard Seth has worked in his role, but he still believes the squad can improve with a new offensive coordinator coach.
In addition, the OU fans seem relieved that Seth was fired, as they felt it was essential given the recent performance, which has been getting worse over time.
According to a press statement issued by OU on Sunday night, tight ends coach and co-offensive coordinator Joe Jon Finley will call plays “on an interim basis” for the remainder of the season.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Seth Littrell was born on July 24, 1978, to father His father, Jimmy, who also belonged to the sports fraternity. Jimmy played fullback at OU and won two national championships in 1974 and 1975.
- In his Senior year, the American football coach, Seth, played linebacker and fullback, rushing for 1,385 yards and 29 touchdowns.
- Littrell also competed in wrestling, winning two 5A state titles at 189 pounds.
