Brent Venables’ Oklahoma Sooners are sitting at a dismal 4-4 overall record, 2-3 in the SEC, and yet, parting ways with him right now would cost the program a staggering $51.67 million. That’s a brutal reality check for a fanbase that’s seen their team tumble far from contention for an SEC title game, let alone a College Football Playoff spot.
The Sooners’ Stumble to 4-4
This isn’t just a tough start to the 2026 college football season, it’s a full-blown crisis in Norman. The Sooners have racked up four losses through Week 9, and while a couple were on the road against powerhouses, the home defeats are what sting. They dropped road games to Michigan and Georgia in September, which, okay, tough schedule. But then they came home in October and lost to a good Kentucky team, only to follow that up two weeks later with another home L against the South Carolina Gamecocks. For a program with Oklahoma’s expectations, that’s just not gonna cut it. The only real bright spot? They did manage a win over Texas in the Red River Rivalry, and that always matters big time. But a single rivalry win can’t mask a 4-4 record.
A Massive Contract, a Staggering Price Tag
So, how did Oklahoma get into this pickle where the coach’s seat is molten lava but he’s practically untouchable? It all comes down to the paper. Just this past August, before the 2026 season even kicked off, Venables and Oklahoma agreed to a two-year extension. That new deal tacked onto his existing contract, making it a fresh six-year agreement running all the way through 2032. The Oklahoman reported he signed for $63 million, averaging $10.5 million annually. He’s pulling in $10 million in 2026, and that salary is set to boost by $200,000 every year until he hits $11 million in 2031. Oh, and get this: this extension came *after* Venables took a $1 million pay cut in 2025 and *then* led the Sooners to the College Football Playoff. They clearly thought he was the guy, and they paid him like it.
Now, if Oklahoma wanted to fire Venables in 2026, they’d be on the hook for that eye-watering $51.67 million. That’s a significant jump from about $26 million just last season, which is wild. The only silver lining for frustrated fans is that the buyout is set to decrease by $10 million each season for the next three years. Come 2030, it would “only” cost the school $5.8 million to let him go. But that’s a long, long time to wait for a potential change, especially with over $50 million currently on the line.
So, what’s a program to do when your coach is struggling and his contract has more zeroes than your win column? It’s gonna be a long couple of years for Sooners fans if this trend continues, because that $5.8 million buyout in 2030 feels like a lifetime away.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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