Can't Wait For Saturday His hot seat now cool, Oklahoma coach sticking around for a while

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Aug. 22—***

For the bulk of his near-decade long stint on the Clemson defensive staff, Brent Venables seemed ready to be the next sideline star. Considered a can't miss future head coach.

In 2022, Oklahoma pulled the trigger, picking their one-time assistant as Lincoln' Riley's replacement.

The first year at Oklahoma did not go well for Venables, who finished 6-7 in 2022. The worst day was a 49-0 loss to bitter rival Texas, Folks in Norman had to be wondering what they had done.

But like a lot of the high-profile jobs, patience is needed. You can't fire a guy after one rough season. So. Oklahoma waited and hoped.

It won 10 games his second season, dipped to 6-7 again in 2024 and then turned it around with a College Football Playoff bid in 2025. Sure, the fans were disappointed by a home playoff loss to Alabama, but the team is back in the Top 10 this season.

Giddy about the return of quarterback John Mateer, the Sooners locked up Venables earlier in the week. He has five more years on his contract and his pay went above $10 million annually. That will spend nicely in Norman, assuming he doesn't have to buy gas for his free car.

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