Oklahoma Head Coach Brent Venables is set to receive a hefty payout if he is fired at the end of the 2024 season. The Sooners would owe Venables $44.8 million, to be paid in monthly installments over the next five years. This contract does not include a reduced buyout clause and is fully guaranteed, a departure from the trend of reduced percentage buyouts in coaching contracts.
The buyout drops after each season, starting at $44.8 million after 2024 and eventually reaching $0 after the 2029 season. Venables’ new six-year contract, signed in June 2024, has him earning an average of over $8.5 million annually. The contract also includes provisions for private airfare, a vehicle, and a stadium suite for his family.
Venables had a successful second season with the Sooners, including a win over No. 3 Texas in the Red River Rivalry and a 10-2 regular season. The former Kansas State linebacker had previously spent a decade at Clemson, winning two national titles.
The contract extension comes as the Sooners prepare to move to the SEC. While Venables has had a strong start as head coach at Oklahoma, the hefty buyout clause may indicate the program’s commitment to Venables, despite the possibility of termination.
Source
Photo credit www.on3.com