Oklahoma has employed Clemson defensive coordinator brent Venables as its next head coach, one week once Lincoln James Whitcomb Riley departed for Southern california.
The school confirmed the addition of Venables, a former defensive coordinator for the Sooners, in an announcement Sunday. an introduction ceremony are control Monday.
“This may be a really nice day for oklahoma — for our program, our current players, former players, recruits and fans,” oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione said in a statement. “Coach Venables is a proved winner who over the years has helped his groups earn 13 conference championships and 3 national titles, and has developed one of the country’s systematically best defenses.”
Venables, 50, was a key a part of Clemson winning 2 national titles and had been a target of many employment searches in recent years however selected to remain and become the highest-paid assistant in the country at $2.5 million anually. His familiarity with oklahoma, where he coached underneath Bob Stoops from 1999-2011 and was a part of a national championship in 2000, created it a way easier decision to pursue this chance.
The hiring comes at a crucial time with the earlier poised to go away the massive 12 for the SEC some time between 2023 and 2025. The departure of riley, who went 55-10 in his 5 seasons with 3 college soccer playoff appearances, caused concern concerning the program’s future as many key players from the 2022 and 2023 recruiting categories decommitted since his surprise move.
Venables, however, is embrace the challenge.
“There’s no doubt we tend to are equipped to compete at the terribly highest level and attract the simplest players from across the country,” Venables said. “The OU brand has ne’er been stronger.”
