Oklahoma Sooners Extend Head Football Coach Brent Venables Through 2031

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Oklahoma and head coach Brent Venables have agreed to a new six-year contract that runs through 2031.

The deal averages $10.5 million per year, adds two years to his previous agreement, and will pay him $11 million in the final year. That puts Venables among the highest-paid coaches in the country, sitting just behind the likes of Steve Sarkisian and Mike Elko, who are both at $11.5 million annually.

The extension comes as Venables enters his fifth season in Norman. Last year he led Oklahoma to its first College Football Playoff appearance since 2019, earning the No. 8 seed and a first-round home game. It was the program’s second 10-win regular season under his watch.

This year’s team is ranked No. 9 in the coaches poll and No. 10 in the AP Poll, reflecting the belief that the roster is in a stronger place than it has been at any other point in his tenure.

Athletics director Roger Denny, who took over the job earlier this year, made it clear the decision was about stability and belief in the direction of the program.

"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," Denny said.

"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."

Denny also framed the extension as a message to the roster in a sport that changes by the week.

"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 the new deal started shortly after the playoff run. Denny said finishing it was one of his top priorities in the early months on the job.

"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."

Venables, for his part, struck a grateful and forward-looking tone.

"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," Venables said.

"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."

He went out of his way to credit the people around him.

"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."The closing portion of his statement carried the edge you expect from him.

"We understand the responsibility that comes with representing the University of Oklahoma. 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."

The extension effectively ends any lingering hot-seat conversation that followed the uneven early years.

Venables’ first contract adjustment was criticized in some corners for raising the buyout before the on-field results fully caught up. This one arrives after a playoff appearance and with a roster that looks more complete.

That doesn’t mean the pressure disappears. At Oklahoma, the standard is competing for SEC titles and making deep playoff runs. A new contract buys time and stability, but it doesn’t lower the bar.

On the field, the defensive progress has been the clearest marker of growth. Venables took back the defensive play-calling last season and the unit finished among the national leaders in tackles for loss and sacks while ranking in the top 10 in scoring and total defense. That side of the ball has become the program’s identity again.

The offense still has questions, especially up front and in the run game, but the overall trajectory is better than it was two years ago.

The structure around him has also matured. The front office, recruiting operation, and support staff are more defined. The roster has more experience. The expectations have risen with the results.

An extension through 2031 signals that the people running the athletic department believe the foundation is strong enough to keep building.

For Venables, the message is straightforward. The university is all-in on the culture and the process he has pushed since arriving.

In return, the expectation remains the same as it has always been in Norman — win at a high level and keep the program in the championship conversation. The new contract gives him the runway.

The next step is still the same one every Oklahoma coach faces: turn stability into sustained contention.

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