Oklahoma co-offensive coordinator Seth Littrell was fired on Sunday after eight games as the Sooners’ play caller.
Co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Joe Jon Finley will take over Littrell’s duties as play caller on an interim basis, and offensive analyst Kevin Johns has been promoted to co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
The offensive coordinator search will be one of head coach Brent Venables’ biggest decisions since arriving in Norman in 2021 and a potential determining factor of his future with Oklahoma.
Here are some potential candidates for OU’s open spot:
PHOTOS: Potential OU football offensive coordinator candidates
OU football co-offensive coordinator Joe Jon Finley before the game against Arizona on Dec. 28.
Joe Jon Finley, OU co-offensive coordinator/tight ends coach
Finley has been with the program since 2021, and was promoted to co-offensive coordinator ahead of the 2024 season.
Despite his familiarity with the program, this would not be a popular choice. Last year, OU’s tight ends turned in their worst receiving production since 2014. This season, that production has improved but blocking has turned into an issue for the room.
Finley’s play calling over the next five games and whether the offense turns things around will seemingly decide if he remains in his interim role, or even if he keeps his job as tight ends coach.
Kevin Johns, OU offensive analyst
Johns was hired by the Sooners as an offensive analyst this past offseason after a two-year stint as Duke’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
He coached the Blue Devils to the No. 32 and No. 68 scoring offense in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Johns also spent three years in the same role with Memphis.
Littrell was an in-house hire last season as an OU offensive analyst. Based on how poorly that went, I’d expect Oklahoma to expand its search and stray away from another hire within the program.
Brennan Marion, UNLV offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach
Oklahoma inquired about Marion during last season’s coordinator search.
Marion was a finalist for multiple head coaching jobs last season. The 37-year-old has been a big factor in UNLV’s 6-1 record.
He led the No. 22 scoring offense in 2023 and the No. 5 scoring offense this season, averaging over 40 points per game. UNLV ranked No. 76 in scoring the year prior to Marion’s arrival.
Joe Craddock, Tulane offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach
In seven games under Craddock, Tulane’s offense ranks No. 13 nationally, averaging 39.9 points per game.
He’s also spent time as the offensive coordinator at SMU, Arkansas and Troy. The 39-year-old has helped Tulane’s offense score over 40 points in three of its last four games, including a 71-point showing against UAB on Oct. 5.
Craddock also coached at Clemson at the same time as OU head coach Brent Venables. He was an offensive graduate assistant from 2013-14 and a player development coach in 2012.
Tim Cramsey, Memphis offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach
Memphis had the No. 52 scoring offense nationally the year prior to Cramsey’s 2022 arrival. He led the No. 22 and No. 6 offenses in 2022 and 2023, respectively, and is on track to lead another top-30 offense.
Memphis’ season-low in points is 21. Oklahoma has only hit that mark in three of its seven games. Cramsey’s 17 years of experience as a quarterbacks coach may be appealing to the Sooners, who’s quarterback room is highlighted by sophomore Jackson Arnold and freshman Michael Hawkins Jr.
Mike Shanahan, Indiana co-offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach
The Hoosiers are 7-0 and Shanahan has played a big part in their success.
Indiana averaged 22.2 points per game last season without Shanahan, which they’ve doubled this season. At 48.7 points per game, the Hoosiers are the nation’s No. 1 scoring offense. They’ve scored 40-plus points in their last six contests.
Indiana also has the 5th best third-down conversion rate in the country, an aspect the Sooners are in dire need of improvement in.
Jordan Davis, North Texas offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach
Could Davis follow Littrell in pioneering a North Texas to Oklahoma pipeline?
He’s certainly had success with the Mean Green, who is averaging 41.3 points per game and ranks ninth nationally in scoring. Davis is also leading Texas Tech’s No. 3 passing offense this season. For comparison, OU’s passing attack ranks 116th nationally.
The 32-year-old is one of the younger offensive coordinators in the country, but that didn’t stop the Sooners from hiring defensive coordinator Zac Alley at age 30.
Zach Kittley, Texas Tech offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach
Kittley has served as the Red Raiders play caller for the past three seasons.
Kittley has made his mark on Texas Tech by contributing to its 5-2 record and 18th-ranked offense. He’s known as one of the top quarterback developers in college football.
Kittley coached alongside Oklahoma wide receivers coach Emmett Jones in 2022 when Jones served in the same role with the Red Raiders.
Mack Leftwich, Texas State offensive coordinator
Leftwich, 29, is one of the rising young minds in college football.
He earned a nomination for the Broyles Award in 2023, which is given to the top assistant coach nationally.
Texas State ranks 25th in scoring offense (34.7) and 17th in total offense (460.6).
Longshot: Lincoln Riley, USC head coach
Longshot may be an understatement.
There’s almost no chance this happens, but why not have a little fun with this search?
In year three at USC, the Trojans are 3-4 and 0-4 in the Big Ten. If Riley’s struggles continue, he’ll almost certainly be on the hot seat.
While this would be by far the most controversial choice, there’s no doubt Riley can coach dominant offenses. His offensive prowess combined with the defensive mastermind of Venables certainly makes for a well-rounded football team.
The only question is whether either side would have any interest in this move, and whether the drama it would inevitably cause would be worth it.
