Former Clemson defensive coordinator and current Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables has agreed to a contract extension with the Sooners.

It’s a new six-year deal that, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, will pay Venables an average of $10.5 million annually. The contract adds two years to his previous deal and runs through the 2031 season.

Oklahoma went 10-3 overall under Venables last season and returned to the College Football Playoff for the first time since 2019, losing at home to Alabama in a CFP first-round game.

A former 13-year Oklahoma assistant coach who won a national championship with the Sooners and two more with Clemson during his 10-year stint as defensive coordinator, Venables was named OU’s 23rd head football coach on Dec. 5, 2021.

Venables has compiled a 32-20 overall record across his first four seasons as Oklahoma’s head coach from 2022-25. During his ultra-successful stint as Clemson’s defensive coordinator from 2012-21, he helped the Tigers win ACC titles each year from 2015-20 and make the playoff each of those seasons. He received the Frank Broyles Award in 2016 as the nation’s top assistant coach after being a finalist in 2015.

The 55-year-old served as co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Oklahoma from 1999-2003 and as associate head coach, defensive coordinator and linebackers coach from 2004-11 under former head coach Bob Stoops. Venables has coached in eight national championship games between his time at OU and Clemson, winning titles with the Sooners in 2000 and Tigers in 2016 and 2018.

Following is the official news release from Oklahoma on Venables’ contract extension:

NORMAN — University of Oklahoma Vice President and Director of Athletics Roger Denny announced Thursday that Sooners Head Football Coach Brent Venables has agreed to a new six-year contract, pending OU Board of Regents approval. The contract adds two years to Venables’ previous deal and runs through Jan. 31, 2032.

“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. They trust him, they believe in him and he has a unique ability to connect with young men and bring out the best in them. What I hope this extension says to our players is that in an environment that changes every day, we’re investing in stability for our program. Amidst the disruption of college sports, Oklahoma will be a place where student-athletes will find consistency.

“The work on his extension began shortly after our team’s run to the College Football Playoff, and one of my top priorities in my first several months as athletics director was to make sure we saw that process through. I believe strongly in Coach Venables, in the culture he has built and in the structure we have in place around our football program. There simply isn’t a better ambassador for Oklahoma Football than Brent Venables. He represents this university and our program with incredible passion and authenticity, and I’m excited to continue building with him. Adding two years to his contract gives us the stability and continuity we need as we pursue championships for all of Sooner Nation.”

The 55-year-old Venables, who is entering his fifth season as Oklahoma’s head coach, led the Sooners last year to their first College Football Playoff appearance since 2019 as they earned the No. 8 seed and first-round hosting honors. 2025 marked OU’s second 10-win regular season under Venables (also in 2023), and the 2026 team is ranked No. 9 in the preseason coaches poll and No. 10 in the AP version.

“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.

“This opportunity and commitment reflect so many people. None of it would be possible without the tremendous investment, hard work and dedication of our players, coaches and staff. I’m incredibly thankful for each of them and for the belief they have in what we are building together.

“Most importantly, my family and I love Oklahoma. This is our home, and we are deeply grateful for the way the Oklahoma family has embraced and supported us.”

OU’s 2025 defense, under the direction of Venables as play-caller, was one of the nation’s best. The Sooners ranked sixth in the country in yards allowed per game (272.5) and seventh in points allowed per outing (15.5). They also led the nation in tackles for loss per game (9.4) and sacks per contest (3.5), and paced the SEC in seven defensive categories. Additionally, Tate Sandell became the first OU recipient of the Lou Groza Award as the nation’s top placekicker.

Oklahoma’s strong performance has not been limited to the defensive side of the ball during Venables’ tenure, as the offense shined his first two seasons. In 2023, when the Sooners finished second in the Big 12 Conference, they ranked third nationally in total yards per game (507.0) and fourth in points per contest (41.7).

OU’s recruiting classes have consistently ranked high during Venables’ tenure, and he boasts a strong track record of preparing his players for the next level. He has produced 17 NFL Draft picks since becoming head coach, including 10 offensive players. OU’s seven draft selections in April tied for the program’s most since 2018.

The Sooners have also performed at record levels in the classroom since Venables was hired and are riding a five-semester streak of posting above a 3.0 cumulative team GPA.

“We understand the responsibility that comes with representing the University of Oklahoma,” added Venables. “We don’t take that responsibility — or this opportunity — for granted. We are incredibly excited about the future of Oklahoma Football and remain fully committed to building a program that our university, our former players and our fans can be proud of; one that consistently competes for championships and represents Oklahoma the right way.

“We’re grateful, we’re hungry and our best is still in front of us.”

A former longtime defensive coordinator at OU and Clemson, Venables has coached in eight national championship games between his time at the two schools, winning titles with the Sooners in 2000 and Tigers in 2016 and 2018.

The OU Board of Regents will next meet Sept. 15-16.