Oklahoma and head coach Brent Venables have agreed to a new six-year contract running through the 2031 season, pending approval by the OU board of regents. The deal adds two years and is expected to average more than $10.5 million per season, according to ESPN sources.

Venables, 55, led the Sooners to the 2025 College Football Playoff — the school's first appearance since 2019 — finishing with a 10-3 record. After a 6-7 campaign in 2024, Oklahoma improved to 6-2 in SEC play last season, highlighted by an early win over Michigan and road victories against Tennessee and Alabama.

Athletic director Roger Denny praised Venables as the ideal ambassador for Oklahoma football, emphasizing the stability and continuity the extension provides as the program pursues championships. Venables is 32-20 in four seasons at OU and took over defensive play calling last year, helping the Sooners lead the nation in tackles for loss (9.4) and sacks (3.5) per game.

The turnaround coincided with the arrival of quarterback John Mateer and improved roster depth. Venables previously served as OU's defensive coordinator and contributed to two national titles at Clemson, including a 2000 national championship with the Sooners.