Oklahoma fires OC ahead of game against Ole Miss, Joe Jon Finley assumes play-calling responsibilities
OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss’ upcoming opponent, Oklahoma, fired its offensive coordinator Seth Littrell Sunday after the Sooners (4-3, 1-3 SEC) lost 35-9 to South Carolina this weekend in embarrassing fashion at home in Norman.
Littrell had assumed the OC role in December 2023 following Jeff Lebby’s departure for Mississippi State. As Rebel fans recall, Lebby left his job at Ole Miss (2020-2022) as OC to return to his alma mater, Oklahoma.
Now, Joe Jon Finley, who served as the Rebels’ tight ends coach and passing coordinator in 2020, will take over play calling responsibilities. The 39-year-old assistant joined Oklahoma’s coaching staff as tight ends coach under Lincoln Riley in 2021 and was promoted to the role of co-offensive coordinator alongside Littrell in late 2023.
Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables spoke about Finley in a statement released by the team:
“The leadership role Joe Jon plays on our team is critical. He has the confidence of our locker room and coaching staff, and I’m thankful to him for taking on this expanded role in the middle of the season.”
Brent Venables on Joe Jon Finley
The Sooners’ game against South Carolina was pretty much a disaster from OU’s point of view. Venables’ team fell behind 21-0 after just nine plays against the Gamecocks.
Oklahoma turned the ball over on its first, second and third possessions as their quarterback, Michael Hawkins, Jr., threw two interceptions and then fumbled. One of those interceptions resulted in a pick-six and the fumble was returned for a touchdown. The other interception set South Carolina up for a third TD.
All that happened in the first six minutes of the game and led to the Sooners’ worst home loss since 2014. Afterward, Venables said the team’s performance was “nothing remotely close to the standard” at Oklahoma.
Who will the Rebels see at OU quarterback?
It is uncertain as to whether Ole Miss will see Hawkins at QB or if the Sooners will start Jackson Arnold, their former starter. Oklahoma benched Hawkins, Jr. early in the first quarter after the turnovers and went with Arnold — who had not played since he was benched in the first half against Tennessee back on September 21.
Arnold is a former consensus five-star and national Top 25 recruit from Denton, Texas. He played in seven games last season for the Sooners as a backup and then started for them in the Alamo Bowl where he completed 26 of 45 passes for 361 yards and two touchdowns in his first career start in vs. Arizona.
After coming in the game against Oklahoma, Arnold completed 18-of-36 passes for 225 yards and one touchdown.
After the loss to the Gamecocks, Venables would not commit to who the starter would be against the Rebels.
“We’ll talk about that when we figure that out, as far as (who will be the starter) moving forward, but again, three straight drives (that resulted in) turnovers, that’s a pretty easy decision.”
Coach Brent Venables
Saturday’s game was Arnold’s fifth of the season — burning the redshirt the sophomore had hoped to preserve. According to Oklahoma sources, Arnold had told Venables he didn’t want to burn the redshirt playing “pointless snaps” but that he would absolutely come in and play if needed. One would have to assume he will get playing time against Ole Miss.
Oklahoma offensive woes
Through their first seven games, Oklahoma’s offensive woes have been significant. They are scoring an average of a mere 22 points per game with a total average of 288 yards per game. Additionally, they have given up 29 sacks in their seven games — the second-worst in the SEC.
They head to Oxford ranked 128th nationally in total offense and 107th in scoring, and they have tallied 11 turnovers in seven games.
Injuries have also hurt the Sooners. The absence of their top wide receivers Deion Burks, Nic Anderson, Jalil Farooq, Jayden Gibson and Andrel Anthony has hindered the passing game this fall. On the offensive line, where Oklahoma had to replace five starters from a year ago, the Sooners have struggled for health and consistent play within a unit that has allowed the second-most sacks among FBS offenses. The running game sits 114th nationally.
Game info:
Ole Miss hosts Oklahoma this Saturday at Vaught-Hemingway. The two teams will play for just the second time in program history. Kickoff is set for 11:00 a.m., and the game will be on ESPN.
Evelyn Van Pelt
Evelyn has covered sports for over two decades, beginning her journalism career as a sports writer for a newspaper in Austin, Texas. She attended Texas A&M and majored in English. Evelyn's love for Ole Miss began when her daughter Katie attended the university on a volleyball scholarship. Evelyn created the Rebel Walk in 2013 and has served as publisher and managing editor since its inception.
