Things aren’t looking good in Norman, Oklahoma this college football season, and Brent Venables’ place is heating up. after falling to South Carolina at home in Week 9, the Sooners are 4-4 overall and 2-3 in the SEC, and that’s a long way from claiming an SEC title game appearance, much less the College Football Playoff.
Oklahoma’s four losses through Week 9 include loss to Michigan and Georgia in September, and both were road games. But then in October, Venables’ team lost to a good Kentucky team at home and then followed that up two weeks later with a home loss to the Gamecocks. (However, there was also a win over Texas in the Red River Rivalry, and that counts, too.)
So what would it cost Oklahoma to part ways with Venables during his fifth season with the Sooners? Let’s break it down.
What is Brent Venables Oklahoma salary in 2026?
In August, ahead of the 2026 college football season, Venables and Oklahoma agreed to a two-year contract extension on top of what already existed, making this a new six-year contract until 2032.
like The Oklahoman reportedVenables signed a six-year, $63 million contract averaging $10.5 million per year. His salary is $10 million in 2026 and he will receive a $200,000 raise during the final year of the deal. That means, if he stays in Norman, Venables will hit $11 million in 2031.
The extension this year is behind Venables took a $1 million pay cut in 2025 before leading the Sooners to the College Football Playoff.
How much is Brent Venables buying in Oklahoma?
It’s not the most expensive option in the sport, but it would cost the Sooners a good chunk of change to part with Venables. If Oklahoma were to fire Venables in 2026, the school would owe him $51.67 million — up from about $26 million last season. for Oklahoma.
While it may not relieve frustrated Sooners fans, Venables’ buyout will be reduced by $10 million each season for the next three years, and in 2030, it would only cost Oklahoma $5.8 million to unload him.
It’s a long time to wait, but the Sooners might not be ready to part with Venables if he were to cost more than $50 million.
2026 Oklahoma football schedule
- Sept. 4: 51-0 win over UTEP
- Sept. 12: Lost 17-19 vs. Michigan
- Sept. 19: 14-6 win over New Mexico
- Sept. 26: 41-13 loss vs. Georgia
- Oct. 10: 27-24 win over Texas
- Oct. 17: Lost 21-13 vs. Kentucky
- Oct. 24: 23-25 win vs. Mississippi State
- Oct. 31: Lost 42-25 vs. South Carolina
- November 7: @ Florida
- Nov. 14: vs. Ole Miss
- Nov. 21: vs. Texas A&M
- Nov. 28: @ Missouri
