Oklahoma has extended head football coach Brent Venables’ contract, as approved by the Board of Regents. The extension is for six years, totaling $46.05 million, and extends through the 2029 season. Venables’ salary increases will commence next year.
In addition to his base salary, Venables also receives a $600,000 annual payment, bringing his total compensation to $49.65 million over the course of the contract. This averages out to $8.28 million per year.
Venables’ tenure as head coach started with a challenging 6-7 record in his first season. However, the Sooners showed improvement in the following year, finishing 10-3 and securing notable wins, including over Texas, a team that eventually contended in the College Football Playoff. Last season, quarterback Dillon Gabriel posted impressive statistics with 30 passing touchdowns and 12 rushing touchdowns. As the Sooners transition to the SEC, Jackson Arnold is expected to take over at quarterback.
Before becoming a head coach, Brent Venables gained renown as a defensive expert. His most notable tenure was at Clemson, where he served as defensive coordinator for 10 seasons from 2012 to 2021. During his time there, the Tigers achieved two national championships and won six conference titles.
Several months prior to Venables’ hiring, Oklahoma made the decision to leave the Big 12 and join the SEC, marking a significant shift in conference alignment. The Sooners are set to begin competing in the SEC starting in 2024.
Heading into the 2024 season, Oklahoma, alongside other SEC schools, anticipates contention for spots in the College Football Playoff. The team is positioned favorably for the upcoming season, receiving a 17th ranking in FOX Sports analyst Joel Klatt’s post-spring top 25 and a 14th ranking from RJ Young in his own post-spring rankings. It’s worth noting that the College Football Playoff field expands to 12 teams starting in 2024.
