It may only be May, but draft talk is already heating up — and so is the speculation around college football. The Tennessee Volunteers just made a College Football Playoff appearance, and excitement around Josh Heupel’s program in Knoxville is at an all-time high. The dark days appear to be behind them.
Sure, losing Nico Iamaleava to UCLA for 2025 stings, but Tennessee’s outlook remains bright. The same can’t necessarily be said for Oklahoma — where Heupel once starred as a quarterback. Head coach Brent Venables is feeling the pressure, with some fans already calling for a change after the upcoming season.
If Oklahoma decides to move on from Venables — despite the nearly $35 million buyout after 2025 — could the Sooners make a play for Heupel? Veteran journalist Berry Tramel of the Tulsa World seems to think so. During a recent appearance on the Saturday Down South podcast, Tramel said he believes Heupel would be Oklahoma’s first call if a vacancy opens in Norman.
Would Oklahoma reach out to Josh Heupel if the Sooners fire Brent Venables?
“If Venables is fired, Heupel would be the first call — I assume,” said longtime Tulsa World columnist Berry Tramel. “Whether Josh would consider it or accept, I have no idea. But I do know he still has deep ties to Oklahoma, and his family still lives there.”
Tramel added that he doesn’t think Heupel would outright dismiss the idea of returning to Norman and believes he’d be a popular candidate among fans. That said, Tramel also emphasized that Tennessee is a fantastic place to coach, and it’s unclear if Heupel would be willing to leave such a strong position.
The history between Heupel and Oklahoma is well documented. A former star quarterback for the Sooners, he was unceremoniously fired as offensive coordinator in 2014 — a split that left some scars. So when Heupel led Tennessee to a win over Oklahoma in Norman last season, it was a meaningful moment for him.
Looking ahead, Heupel seems focused on continuing Tennessee’s momentum. The Vols are poised for another big season in 2025, and things could get even better in 2026 with the arrival of five-star quarterback Faizon Brandon. Meanwhile, Oklahoma and Venables are aiming to turn things around, but there’s growing concern another disappointing year could be on the way. If that happens and Venables is let go, expect Heupel’s name to be at the center of the coaching carousel — something Tennessee fans hope never becomes a serious conversation.