Brent Venables breaks down Oklahoma's decision to fire offensive coordinator Seth Littrell

Following another rough performance on offense, Brent Venables saw the need to make a change. Oklahoma parted ways with Seth Littrell as offensive coordinator, meaning Joe Jon Finley will take over play-calling duties.

Venables broke down the decision to make a change during his weekly press conference on Tuesday. He reiterated it wasn’t something he necessarily wanted to do, but the Sooners needed a spark on offense.

In addition to Finley as play-caller, Kevin Johns will become the new co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Venables once again cited the standard set for Oklahoma football and how the offense wasn’t living up to it while discussing the changes.

“As I said on my radio show last night, we made a decision to make a change at offensive coordinator,” Venables told reporters. “Coach Finley, along with Kevin Johns, into new roles. Working together, Coach Johns to coach our quarterbacks and Coach Finley and the rest of the staff, Kevin included, putting together game plans, we’ll call it, on game days. Incredibly hard decision on many levels, and then, 10,000-foot lens, not so difficult. We’re not playing winning football on that side of the ball, and thought a change would be appropriate. And a change in leadership and voice and perspective and lens, strategy, game-planning, sequencing, all those things that go along with that position.

“As I said last night, this is not an everything all at [once], it doesn’t fall at the hands of Coach Littrell. There were lots of different issues and problems. The lack of consistency, lack of offensive output. But ultimately, that goes along with that position.”

Oklahoma has struggled mightily through its first year in the SEC. The Sooners enter Week 9 last in the league with 288.1 total yards of offense per game and second-to-last with 22.1 points on average.

OU is also in the midst of another quarterback change. Jackson Arnold began the year as the starter, but found himself on the sidelines during the loss to Tennessee. Michael Hawkins replaced him and started the next two games, but three straight turnovers against South Carolina led Arnold to come back in.

Moving forward, Brent Venables said the plan is for Arnold to stay at QB1. His performance against South Carolina – 18-for-36 for 225 yards and a touchdown – led to the decision, Venables said.

“Jackson stepped in and played pretty well,” Venables said. “Took care of the football, put one on the ground, recovered it. Made a lot of really good decisions in the game. Took command right from the get-go. Had several drops that would have made the day even better for him. So, that’s what went into it.”