Sooners Hot Board 1.0

As the sun begins to rise on the first day in which Oklahoma didn't have a full-time head coach since Nov. 30, 1998 we take a look at some potential names to be the man to replace Lincoln Riley in Norman. Some have obvious connections to Oklahoma, some are well known for one side of the ball or the other and one was an All-American in Norman. Each bring different things to the table and we take a look at each in our initial Hot Board.

Age: 45

Notable Jobs:

Houston - 2003-2004 - Linebackers

Wisconsin - 2013-2015 - Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers

LSU - 2016-2019 - Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers

Why He Fits: Aranda has shown that he can rebuild a roster and a program in his first two years at Baylor. He's also the steadying type of force that most look for in a head coach. Finally Aranda is a guy with SEC connections who has also spent plenty of time recruiting elite talents and doing so in Texas and points farther Southeast.

Why He Doesn't: Aranda has only been a head coach for a few years and hasn't always been seen as a dynamic recruiter - though he has had some big wins. Can he be that guy and solidify Oklahoma quickly?

Age: 44

Notable Jobs:

2004-2006 - Mississippi State - Position Coach(RB/CB)/Recruiting Coordinator

2016-2017 - Georgia - Tight Ends/Special Teams

2018-2020 - Oklahoma - Assistant Head Coach/Tight Ends

Why He Fits: Beamer is a guy that brings the energy and enthusiasm that a head coach needs in this day and age of head coach led recruiting. He's also a big part of Oklahoma's massive presence in the mid-Atlantic. Could he help settle the waters with Caleb Williams?

Why He Doesn't: Beamer has only been in Columbia for one year does he really want to leave now? Beyond that he's only been a head coach for one year and achieved a .500 record. It's not that it isn't impressive but obviously Norman is a big step-up in the world of expectations.

Age: 48

Notable Jobs:

Ohio State - 2005-2010 - Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers

Ohio State - 2011 - Interim Head Coach

Why He Fits: He's a program builder that Oklahoma would be hard pressed to find a more likely fit with athletic director Joe Castiglione's ideals. Fickell is a steady guy who actually has some similar feel to Oklahoma's current head coach, Bob Stoops.

Why He Doesn't: Fickell has earned a reputation as a guy who doesn't want to be in the Southeastern Conference and that would seem to be an automatic non-starter but Oklahoma's structure might fit him a little better than some of the other SEC jobs that have come along.

Age: 35

Notable Jobs:

Purdue - 2016 - Co-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach

Cincinnati - 2017-2020 - Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers

Why He Fits: Freeman is a young and energetic coach that fits some of Oklahoma's most successful hires through the years. He's got some experience at a big-time program and would have some more updated ideas on recruiting and how to navigate certain challenges.

Why He Doesn't: He doesn't have any SEC area expertise so he'd have to learn to navigate an area that he hasn't had to recruit very often. That said the Bearcats were built on a lot of good evaluations in the Southeast so he has some track record there.

Age: 43

Notable Jobs:

Oklahoma - 2006-2010 - Quarterbacks Coach

Oklahoma - 2011-2014 - Co-Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach

UCF - 2018-2020 - Head Coach

Why He Fits: He's a Sooners legend that has coached the Sooners for a huge chunk of his coaching career. He's also developed a lot of SEC feel and familiarity after having spent his last five seasons in SEC country from Missouri to his current abode in Tennessee.

Why He Doesn't: Forget the reality that he has been in Knoxville for a year but his ending in Norman was far from ideal and there are some who doubt whether that's a road he'd go back down. Then again the chance to coach a school he once loved may hold more sway than some believe.

Age: 35

Notable Jobs:

Sam Houston St. - 2014 - Defensive Backs/Co-Recruiting Coordinator

Memphis - 2016-2017 - Inside Linebackers/Recruiting Coordinator

Georgia - 2018 - Outside Linebackers

Why He Fits: Lanning is yet another young and energetic defensive mind who has led a defensive unit that has dominated all comers so far in 2021. He also has SEC ties and has spent time around both Kirby Smart and Nick Saban - undoubtedly he has learned plenty of how to work in the league.

Why He Doesn't: Lanning has no head coaching experience and not that much experience at a major program.

Age: 37

Notable Jobs:

Oklahoma - 2002-2006 - Student Assistant

Baylor - 2015-2016 - Passing Game Coordinator/Running Backs/Off. Recruiting Coord.

UCF - 2019 - Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks

Why He Fits: Lebby got his degree at Oklahoma and spent his formative years on the campus working with Josh Heupel and others. He has since spent time in both Texas as the Southeast and developed some impressive recruiting framework. He also seems like a guy who would be enthusiastic about being Oklahoma's head coach.

Why He Doesn't: Lebby has no head coaching experience and also was on the staff at Baylor during the Art Briles era, it'd be interesting if Castiglione and co. would be willing to overlook that.

Age: 58

Notable Jobs:

Nebraska - 2004-2006 - Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks

Oklahoma - 2008-2014 - Co-Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers

Arizona State - 2016 - Passing Game Coordinator/Wide Receivers

Why He Fits: Norvell is a long-time friend of Bob Stoops and spent the better part of a decade in Norman. It's a place he knows well and one that he has familiarity with a lot of the decision makers. He's also a solid recruiter who does well in a CEO type of role.

Why He Doesn't: Norvell is a bit older than most of the candidates on this list and hasn't had to recruit the elite talents for quite some time now.

Age: 50

Notable Jobs:

Kansas State - 1996-1998 - Linebackers

Oklahoma - 1999-2004 - Co-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers

Oklahoma - 2004-2011 - Associate Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers

Why He Fits: Venables is a guy that was well-liked by most everyone during his time in Norman and he's done nothing to cultivated any ill-will about his somewhat unceremonious exit from Norman. He's been an elite recruiter his entire career and has helped Clemson to arguably the nation's most talented defense in 2021.

Why He Doesn't: Venables is guy that some wonder if he even wants to be a head coach. Would he rather simply enjoy very good pay days and remain a defensive coordinator? History says he just might but if not, Oklahoma could make a lot of sense.