Oklahoma football coach Brent Venables has agreed to a new six-year contract through the 2031 season, the university announced Thursday.
The new deal, which adds two additional years and is pending approval by the OU board of regents, is expected to average more than $10.5 million per season, sources told ESPN.
Venables, 55, led the Sooners to the College Football Playoff in 2025 -- the school's first appearance since the 2019 season. Oklahoma went 10-3, losing to Alabama in the CFP.
"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," Venables said in a statement.
The Sooners finished 6-2 in the SEC during the regular season, after going 2-6 in league play in 2024.
"There simply isn't a better ambassador for Oklahoma football than Brent Venables," athletic director Roger Denny said in a statement. "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 is 32-20 in his four seasons at OU. A shift came last season when he took over the defensive play calling, part of the school's overall turnaround.
With Venables calling the plays in 2025, Oklahoma led the nation in tackles for loss (9.4) and sacks (3.5) per game and finished top 10 in scoring defense (15.5) and yards (272.5). That defensive boost loomed large in an early season win over Michigan and late season road wins at Tennessee and Alabama.
Venables entered last season needing a spark after Oklahoma had gone 6-7 in two of his first three seasons there, including 2024.
The arrival of quarterback John Mateer, who was hobbled with a thumb injury for much of the season, and a general roster upgrade helped fuel the turnaround.
"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," Denny said. "Amidst the disruption of college sports, Oklahoma will be a place where student-athletes will find consistency."
Venables arrived back at Oklahoma as head coach after lengthy stints as both OU's defensive coordinator and calling plays for two of Clemson's national titles as the defensive coordinator. He was on the OU staff that won the national title with the Sooners in 2000 as co-defensive coordinator and has coached in eight national title games.
"We understand the responsibility that comes with representing the University of Oklahoma," Venables said. "We don't take that responsibility -- or this opportunity -- for granted. ... We're grateful, we're hungry and our best is still in front of us."