The Oklahoma Sooners lost their third straight game, moving them to 4-4 on the season. At this point, not only is qualifying for the College Football Playoff out of the question, but there’s also the possibility that they won’t even play in a bowl game.

Oklahoma was ranked No. 16 in the country in the preseason AP Top 25 preseason rankings. To call their .500 record a disappointment may be a massive understatement. The deficiencies have brought Sooners head coach Brent Venables under scrutiny, with fans calling for an end to his time in Norman.

Members of the Sooner faithful are counting their days with Venables at the helm. Things have reached a boiling point, and the program’s proponents are ready for a transition of power. Luckily, Oklahoma may not have to cast a wide net to replace its incumbent secondary commander.

Given his existing ties to Oklahoma, South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer would be a nearly seamless alternative for Venables. Under the 47-year-old’s guidance, the Gamecocks have been one of the more pleasant surprises in the SEC throughout the 2024 campaign. Not many coaches across the country have done more with less than he has. What’s handy for the Sooners is that he has ties to the university that could lure him out of Columbia.

Beamer was Oklahoma’s assistant head coach under Venables’ predecessor Lincoln Riley from 2018 to 2020, working primarily with tight ends and H-backs. Additionally, he also played a role on special teams. Most importantly, his personal relationships with current and former Oklahoma administrators run deep and are worth mentioning given the current climate.

As Beamer explained before his recent return to Oklahoma as a visitor in Week 8, the kinship he built with the Sooners’ brain trust remains. His affinity for athletic director Joe Castiglione and men’s golf coach Ryan Hybl is clear. Additionally, Zac Selmon, former assistant athletics director for external engagement and advancement, is a “dear friend.”

With Venables’ seat getting hotter by the minute, Beamer is emerging as the most logical heir to the throne.