Oklahoma signs Brent Venables to six-year deal as Sooners eye return to CFP in 2026 season

With the 2026 season right around the corner, Oklahoma has signed coach Brent Venables to a new six-year contract, the school announced on Thursday. According to ESPN, the new deal is worth $10.5 million per year and runs through the 2031 season.

"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 athletic director Roger Denny said in a statement. "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."

Coming off a 6-7 season in 2024, the pressure was on Venables to get the Sooners back on track, and he delivered. He brought in quarterback John Mateer and offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle from Washington State. That duo elevated the offense while Venables made sure the defense was among the very best in the country.

The result was a 10-win regular season that included three consecutive wins over ranked opponents -- Alabama, Tennessee and Missouri -- down the stretch. That was enough to get the Sooners into the College Football Playoff, but they dropped a home game to the Crimson Tide in the first round.

After stacking up double-digit wins for the second time in his tenure, Venables now boasts a 32-20 record with the Sooners.

Venables has been rewarded for his efforts, and he faces high expectations in 2026. Oklahoma returns 14 starters, which is tied for the second-most in the FBS. Among those returnees are Mateer, star wide receiver Isaiah Sategna and an offensive line that could be among the top five units in the country.

It won't take long to find out just how good Oklahoma is in 2026. In Week 2, the Sooners travel up to Ann Arbor to play a Michigan team that has Big Ten title aspirations under first-year coach Kyle Whittingham.