Although it seemed like a mutual decision after a turbulent 2024 season, Oklahoma football coach Brent Venables just admitted that the Sooners actually wanted to keep quarterback Jackson Arnold in Norman before he transferred to Auburn this offseason.
Venables said on Wednesday at SEC Media Days that OU tried to retain Arnold, but he also understood why Arnold wanted to go somewhere else.
"I hate that what happened," Venables said. "We wanted to keep him. We tried to keep him. But I think he just needed a fresh start. I don't want to speak for him. But he was wonderful.