Oklahoma offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Seth Littrell was fired Sunday after back-to-back dismal performances in an already poor season.

The Sooners (4-3, 1-3 Southeastern Conference) gained just 237 yards in a game 34-3 loss to then-No. 1 Texas on Oct. 12then finished with 291 yards in a 35-9 home loss to South Carolina on Saturday. Oklahoma, an offensive powerhouse for a decade, has one of the worst offenses in the FBS this season, its first as a member of the SEC. The unit’s struggles have dwarfed one of the best Sooner defenses in years.

The school announced that co-offensive coordinator Joe Jon Finley will assume the role of primary game manager. Senior offensive analyst Kevin Johns has been named assistant offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

Against South Carolina, freshman quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. had three turnovers in his first nine snaps. Two were returned for touchdowns, giving South Carolina a 21-0 lead. The Sooners switched from Hawkins to Jackson Arnold, the original starter that season, and he led them to their only touchdown. The quarterbacks were sacked a total of nine times.

Coach Brent Venables said after the game that he didn’t know which quarterback would start Saturday at No. 18 Mississippi.

Littrell was an offensive analyst last season but stepped in as coordinator for the Alamo Bowl after Jeff Lebby left him to become head coach at Mississippi State.

Finley, a former Oklahoma player and graduate assistant, returned to the Sooners in 2021 as assistant head coach for offense and tight ends and H-backs coach. He was tight ends coach the past two seasons before being promoted to co-offensive coordinator last November.

“The leadership role that Joe Jon plays on our team is critical,” Venables said in a statement. “He has the trust of our locker room and coaching staff and I am grateful for him taking on this expanded role midway through the season.”

___

Get poll alerts and AP Top 25 updates throughout the season. Sign up Here. AP College Football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll And https://apnews.com/hub/college-football