There isn’t a dull moment in Norman anymore. The Sooners are preparing for their first complete SEC season in 2025, and the hype is legitimate. Following a rollercoaster 2024 season marred by injuries and quarterback rotations, Brent Venables has rebuilt his staff and roster, aiming to make some real noise in college football’s toughest block. The 2025 slate is no laughing matter; think Michigan, Alabama, LSU, and, naturally, the Red River Rivalry against Texas. But there’s a feeling that the Sooners, with a healthier roster and new staff in place, have the potential to be one of the SEC’s sleeper teams.
However, here’s where it gets interesting: Oklahoma just made a big off-field power move by bringing in Jim Nagy as their new general manager. Not familiar? Nagy is the ex-Senior Bowl director and one of the most highly regarded NFL talent men in the business. His assignment? Manage roster building and player evaluation, and assist the Sooners in navigating the crazy world of NIL and the transfer portal, essentially to bring an NFL front-office mentality to Norman.
Talking about pulling power moves, Nagy just released his official announcement on X, and trust us, it’s got Sooner Nation abuzz. “Sooner Nation! Need a special behind-the-scenes glimpse into the OU program? Come with me, Coach Venables, our coaches & front office at a special “Inside The Playbook of OU Football” event on May 30.” Now that’s news! Nagy’s taking the entire Oklahoma football program in a different direction—one centered on openness, access, and pulling back the curtain on what happens behind it.
Sooner Nation! Want a unique behind-scenes look inside OU program? Join me, Coach Venables, our coaches & front office at exclusive “Inside The Playbook of OU Football” event on May 30.
Help support immediate needs of your program by clicking below.https://t.co/AtLAO8K8gN pic.twitter.com/UC547z3qOk
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_Sooners) May 16, 2025
Nagy invited everyone from fans and media members to those just curious about how big-time college football works to come to see it firsthand. That’s right: he’s flinging open the doors and allowing folks to get close up and personal with how the Sooners do things, from building the roster to scouting to all the behind-the-scenes stuff that generally remains in the background.
This is a man who spent several years as the executive director of the Senior Bowl, where he made a college all-star game an event to be missed by NFL scouts and coaches. He understands the appeal of letting the public get a glimpse at the actual process-and he’s counting on OU fans (and perhaps even recruits) embracing getting a glimpse behind the curtain. The message from Nagy was unmistakable: if you wish to see what it takes to construct a championship program in the SEC age, come on down and watch us do it.
This type of openness is not common in college football, where programs tend to keep things tighter than Fort Knox. But Nagy’s style is all about trust-building, highlighting the hard work, and perhaps even influencing the next generation of Sooners. Jim Nagy’s all about throwing back the curtain and letting everybody see what’s brewing in Norman. And now, he’s making some downright bold declarations about Oklahoma’s new quarterback, John Mateer.
Why Jim Nagy Is Betting Big on John Mateer
Nagy is virtually beaming when he speaks of Mateer. And believe it or not? It’s not mere “coach speak” or hyperbole. “Getting John Mateer—he’s a difference maker.” Nagy’s been around the block; he’s witnessed what it takes to win at the top level – and he’s not afraid to place Mateer in that mix. He straight-up declared Mateer a “difference maker,” that type of individual you simply have to have if you’re going to win big in the SEC.
That’s no throwaway compliment, particularly from a man who’s critiqued NFL talent for a living. Jim Nagy even went so far as to say, “I’m not trying to put pressure on John… but he’s built for that.” That’s some big-time confidence, especially with the ghosts of Baker Mayfield, Jalen Hurts, and Kyler Murray still looming large in Oklahoma lore.
But Nagy isn’t giving up-he believes Mateer is the key to bringing the Sooners back to the top. Having seen Mateer in action and observed him operating Ben Arbuckle’s offense (by the way, an offense he already knows from their Washington State days), Nagy had this to say: “John’s better than I thought.” He went so far as to say that Mateer has “something you can’t coach-a true leader.”
With the Sooners’ grueling SEC schedule and fanbase clamoring for a turnaround, Jim Nagy’s confidence in Mateer is a big deal. He’s placing his wager that Mateer’s experience and knowing Arbuckle’s system will provide the kick Oklahoma’s been looking for. So is Mateer the next Baker Mayfield? Too early to say. But with Nagy in his corner and the keys to the offense in his possession, the Sooners now have a QB who’s got everybody in Norman talking again.
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