A Six‑Year Commitment to Oklahoma Football
Brent Venables has signed a six‑year contract extension with the University of Oklahoma that runs through January 31, 2032, pending approval by the Board of Regents. The agreement adds two years to his previous deal and is framed as a strategic move to preserve continuity amid the shifting landscape of college athletics.
Athletics Director Roger Denny praised Venables for his leadership, cultural influence and ability to connect with student‑athletes, describing him as an elite leader who has elevated the program both on and off the field.
Under Venables’ direction the Sooners reached their first College Football Playoff appearance since 2019, earning a No. 8 seed and home‑field advantage in the opening round in 2024. The 2025 squad opened the season ranked No. 9 in the coaches poll and No. 10 in the AP poll, ultimately finishing with a 10‑win regular season.
The 2025 defensive unit ranked sixth nationally in yards allowed per game (272.5) and seventh in points allowed (15.5), while also topping the country in tackles for loss (9.4 per game) and sacks (3.5 per contest). The season also produced Tate Sandell, the program’s first Lou Groza Award winner as the nation’s top placekicker.
Venables has overseen 17 NFL draft selections, including a program‑record seven picks in April 2024, and his teams have maintained a five‑semester streak of posting a cumulative GPA above 3.0.
The Board of Regents is scheduled to meet on September 15–16 to finalize the contract extension, a step that will cement Venables’ long‑term vision for Oklahoma football.