The Oklahoma Sooners have signed Brent Venables to a new six-year contract, adding two years to his previous deal, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel. The new contract now has an average salary of $10.5 million and runs through 2031.
Venables is entering his fifth season as Oklahoma's head coach and is looking to lead them back to the College Football Playoff after they made it last season, ultimately falling to the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first round.
"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 in a statement announcing the extension. "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."
He is 32-20 overall and is 18-16 in SEC play as Oklahoma's head coach. The Sooners went 6-7 in 2022 and 2024, his first and third years in charge of the program, but followed them up by going 10-3 in 2023 and 2025.
They are starting the 2026 season as the No. 9 team in the US LBM Coaches Poll. They ended last season as the No. 10 team in the country
"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," Oklahoma athletics director Roger Denny said. "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."
Sources: Oklahoma and coach Brent Venables have agreed to a new 6-year contract that averages $10.5 million per year. It adds two years to the current deal and goes through 2031. Venables led Oklahoma to the College Football Playoff in 2025, OU’s first CFP since 2019. pic.twitter.com/3tDLvVLmTJ
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) August 20, 2026
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This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: Oklahoma Sooners sign Brent Venables to contract extension
