Paul Finebaum Declares Major College Football Coach ‘Dead’ After Extension Backfires

On November 1, 2026, ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum said Oklahoma coach Brent Venables had little chance of turning around the season after South Carolina beat the Sooners 42-25 in Norman. Oklahoma had extended Venables’ contract in August, and his buyout exceeded $52 million as of October 31.