New OU head coach Venables gives one last shoutout to Dabo Swinney, Clemson
As Brent Venables was introduced as the University of Oklahoma’s newest head coach on Monday morning, he didn’t forget to give thanks to Clemson.
The former Tigers defensive coordinator thanked head coach Dabo Swinney, noting the success the program had and the relationships built during his tenure.
“The secret sauce there is the people,” Venables said. “Like any great family, like any great organization, it’s the people. I’ve grown more in these last 10 years — holistically, as a man, as a husband, as a father, as a coach, as a believer — than I have the rest of my life. I’m just incredibly indebted. They’re family there, and I wouldn’t be standing here today, again, if it wasn’t for (Swinney’s) belief in me and his lovely wife, Kathleen, and their children. They’re all like family.”
Venables didn’t forget about his Tigers players, either.
“Y’all know, and the former players that are here, the only reason I’m standing up here is because of your work, your passion, your love, your commitment,” he added, “and again, I’m just grateful for those relationships — and although I’m in Oklahoma, family is family.”
Swinney issued a statement about Venables’ hiring hours after the introductory press conference, calling the Kansas native a “great friend.”
“It’s been fun for me to watch him really grow since 2012, and I’m excited for Oklahoma because they’re not only getting a good coach, they’re also getting a great man who is going to do it the right way,” Swinney said in the statement. “His hiring is a great compliment to our program and to all the great players that we’ve had. I’m going to miss him, but at the same time, I’m also excited about moving forward here and the great opportunity ahead. Today is a great day for Brent and his family and a great day for Oklahoma, and the entire Clemson family and I are proud of — and thankful for — his 10 years here and the lives he impacted in the process.”
After much speculation, Oklahoma announced Venables as the Sooners’ next head coach on Sunday night. It begins his first-ever head coaching job and also where he spent 12 years as a defensive coordinator under Bob Stoops, who has been serving as the interim head coach following Lincoln Riley’s departure to the University of Southern California.
In July, Venables signed a $2.5 million contract extension with Clemson through 2026, making him the highest-paid assistant coach in the country. He was able to avoid a buyout with the Tigers due to a stipulation that freed him if he took a head coach position with a college or professional team.
Venables’ contract details in Oklahoma weren’t immediately known. Riley was making around $8 million a year.
As a full-time assistant coach, Venables has never had a losing season. He won three national championships, two with Clemson and one with the Sooners. He’s also coached 16 All-Americans, 12 first-round NFL Draft picks, three Butkus Award winners and earned the 2016 Broyles Award after being a finalist twice before that.
Prior to the announcement of his hiring, several former Oklahoma players were in favor of bringing Venables back to Norman, including Butkus Award winner Teddy Lehman. Others celebrated when the decision was made official, including Clemson players.
“So happy for coach. He deserves it more than anyone. Hardest working man I have ever known. Y’all take care of him!! @OU_Football,” Clemson defensive end Xavier Thomas posted Sunday night to Twitter.
Swinney is now tasked will hiring a defensive coordinator for the first time since after the 2011 season and has to replace “the most significant assistant coach in any sport in Clemson athletics history,” according to longtime Clemson sports information director Tim Bourret.
Venables first arrived in Norman late Sunday night and was welcomed at the airport by a large crowd of fans, Sooners cheerleaders and band. He signed autographs, shook hands and had a chance to talk to those who stayed to see him touch down.
“It’s just been very surreal, almost numbing, to be honest,” Venables said Sunday night. “There’s plenty of fabulous coaches across the country, so I’m just very, very thankful and very, very fortunate.”
This story was originally published December 6, 2021 at 1:05 PM.
