NORMAN, Okla. — Oklahoma coach Brent Venables has agreed to a new six‑year contract through the 2031 season, the university announced Thursday, solidifying the Sooners’ commitment to the coach who guided them back to the College Football Playoff last year.
The deal, pending approval from the OU board of regents, adds two years to Venables’ existing contract and is expected to average more than $10.5 million annually, sources told ESPN.
"Since I arrived at Oklahoma, I've had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with Coach Venables, his staff and our student-athletes," said Denny, who started as OU's athletics director in February. "It didn't take long to see how well suited he is to lead Oklahoma Football. Coach Venables is elite at building culture — not just in the locker room, but throughout the entire program. Our players are drawn to him."
Venables, 55, led Oklahoma to a 10–3 season in 2025, including the program’s first CFP appearance since 2019. The Sooners fell to Alabama in the semifinal but posted a 6–2 SEC record, a dramatic turnaround from their 2–6 league mark in 2024.
The shift coincided with Venables taking over defensive play‑calling duties, a move that transformed Oklahoma into one of the nation’s most disruptive units. With Venables calling the defense, the Sooners led the country in tackles for loss (9.4 per game) and sacks (3.5 per game), and finished top 10 in scoring defense (15.5 points) and total defense (272.5 yards).
That defensive surge powered an early‑season win over Michigan and late‑season road victories at Tennessee and Alabama — results that helped push Oklahoma back into national contention.
Venables entered 2025 needing a spark after the Sooners posted 6–7 records in two of his first three seasons, including 2024. The arrival of quarterback John Mateer, who played through a thumb injury for much of the year, and a broader roster upgrade helped fuel the resurgence.
"I'm incredibly grateful for the trust, belief and support of President Joe Harroz, Athletics Director Roger Denny, Chair and Special Advisor for OU Athletics Randall Stephenson and our Board of Regents," said Venables. "It is truly an honor and a privilege to serve as the head coach at the University of Oklahoma and to represent a place with such a proud tradition, an incredibly passionate and loyal fan base and expectations that match our own."
Venables returned to Oklahoma as head coach after long stints as the Sooners’ defensive coordinator and later Clemson’s defensive coordinator, where he called plays for two national championship teams. He was part of Oklahoma’s 2000 national title staff and has coached in eight national championship games.
Venables is 32–20 in four seasons at Oklahoma. That record wouldn't earn an extension for most coaches in Norman, but it's a new era for the Sooners. Only question being, "is it a good era?"
