Brent Venables' contract details released: What is OU football coach buyout?
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NORMAN — OU football coach Brent Venables’ contract extension details have been released.
The Oklahoman obtained Venables’ contract.
Here’s everything you need to know:
Brent Venables contract details
The compensation details of Venables’ new deal are unchanged from what has been previously reported.
Venables will make $10 million during the first year of the deal, a figure that will increase every year by $200,000. It’s a six-year, $63 million deal with an average annual value of $10.5 million.
Included in the deal is a total of $600,000 that will go into a deferred compensation account. Essentially, a retirement benefit.
How much of Venables’ deal is guaranteed?
OU made several changes to the guaranteed portion compared to Venables’ previous deal.
The guarantee is no longer indexed to the compensation. Meaning, it’s capped at $10 million a year, so as the compensation increases through this deal and potential future amendments, the guarantee is capped. Furthermore, in the final two years of the deal, the guarantee is capped at $5 million per year.
If Venables were fired, the guarantee would be paid out over the life of the deal. OU will not be forced to pay a lump sum.Here’s what that looks like:
- 2026: $10 million salary, estimated $51.6 million buyout if he were fired after season
- 2027: $10.2 million salary, estimated $41.6 million buyout if he were fired after season
- 2028: $10.4 million salary, estimated $31.6 million buyout if he were fired after season
- 2029: $10.6 million salary, estimated $21.6 million buyout if he were fired after season. If he’s fired on Feb. 1, 2030, the buyout would drop to an estimated $10 million.
- 2030: $10.8 million salary, estimated $5.8 million buyout if he were fired after season
- 2031: $11 million salary, estimated $833,334 buyout if he were fired after season
Brent Venables contract bonus structure
There was some restructuring of Venables’ bonuses. He no longer receives a bonus for making a bowl as the contract only includes College Football Playoff bonuses.
However, the CFP bonuses are significant.
Venables will receive a $500,000 bonus for making the CFP and another $500,000 for each CFP win. Effectively, if he wins a national championship, Venables' salary will be in the range of Indiana’s Curt Cignetti, Ohio State’s Ryan Day, Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer, LSU’s Lane Kiffin and Georgia’s Kirby Smart.
Essentially, the new bonus structure prevents OU from having to renegotiate the deal or agree to yet another extension.
Why are Venables' contract details being released now?
The contract is dated February 1, 2026, which signifies when contract discussions were happening between Venables and OU. However, around this time, OU hired new athletic director Roger Denny.
A pin was put into discussions and the two sides officially agreed to add two years to Venables’ previous deal on Aug. 20. OU’s Board of Regents approved the deal Sept. 15.
However, the new contract ultimately wasn’t signed until Tuesday. Once it was through the legal office, it was sent to the FOIA office and released to The Oklahoman.
Colton Sulley covers the Oklahoma Sooners for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Colton? He can be reached at csulley@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @colton_sulley. Support Colton's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing adigital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Brent Venables' contract details released: What is OU football coach buyout?
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