Legendary Oklahoma Sooners coach Barry Switzer, who led the program to three National Championships, recently shared his concerns about the current state of the program and its future in the evolving world of Name, Image, and Likeness deals.
During an appearance on The Paul Finebaum Show, Switzer discussed both Oklahoma’s on-field struggles and the challenges posed by the financial powerhouses of college football, particularly the University of Texas.
Switzer, who remains one of the most beloved figures in Oklahoma football history, expressed disappointment in the team’s current trajectory under head coach Brent Venables.
Now in his third year, Venables has led the Sooners to a 4-3 record overall and a 1-3 record in SEC play, far from the lofty standard set in Norman during Switzer’s tenure.
However, Switzer’s concerns stretch beyond the Sooners’ on-field performance this season. He highlighted the growing disparity in resources between Oklahoma and Texas, especially in the realm of NIL deals, which allow college athletes to profit from endorsements.
“We’re short in a lot of areas,” Switzer said. “Defensively, we’re probably a lot better than we are offensively. We’re short, offensive line, with running backs, receivers, quarterback – every area of the offense needs help. And it’s gonna take a while to get there. But I think that they can. I don’t know.”
The Sooners’ offense has indeed struggled since the departure of former head coach Lincoln Riley, whose high-powered offensive system is now a distant memory.
Switzer noted the team’s difficulty in moving the ball and putting up enough points to support what has become a much-improved defense.
But Switzer’s main concern centers on the ability to compete with Texas, particularly in terms of NIL fundraising.
“I question, sometimes, with NIL whether we can or not, whether we can compete against Texas every year. They can raise more money than we can,” Switzer continued.
“We’re a small state. We’ve only got 3.5 million people, and it’s gonna be more difficult than it is for the University of Texas, where they’ve got 35 million people. A wealthier state and people to be able to support the programs. We’ll have to wait and see.”
Switzer’s remarks underscore a broader concern in college football: the potential for NIL to widen the gap between programs in wealthier states with larger donor bases and those with smaller populations, like Oklahoma.
The Sooners have long relied on recruiting talent from Texas, a critical pipeline for top prospects. However, with the Longhorns able to offer more lucrative NIL deals, Oklahoma could find itself at a disadvantage in the race for elite recruits.
“NIL is still a mystery for everybody because we don’t know where we’re gonna end up. Hopefully, someday, we’ll get something that has some stability to it that we all will have a chance to be successful with,” Switzer said.
What are your thoughts on Switzer’s comments?
While they haven’t been at a truly elite level for a few years now, Oklahoma is still one of the biggest brands in all of college football.
Having said that, will their disadvantage in the NIL world soon change their prestigious standing in the sport???
