Board of Regents approves contracts for Brent Venables and other Sooners staffers
Oklahoma’s Board of Regents approved the contracts of 23 football coaches and support staff members during its scheduled meeting at the OU Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City on Monday.
New head coach Brent Venables, who was hired on Dec. 5 to replace Lincoln Riley after his departure for Southern California, saw his 6-year deal worth $7 million in total annual compensation approved by regents. Venables was previously the highest-paid assistant coach in college football as Clemson’s defensive coordinator, making $2.5 million annually.
After arriving in Norman, Venables filled out his coaching and support staff, while he raised four assistant coaches who remained from Riley’s regime. Each of the Sooners’ on-field staffers will receive a $90,000 performance bonus for a national championship win.
Venables’ contract details were released to The Daily via an open records request on December 10. His annual income of $6.4 million is set to increase by $100,000 each February, starting in 2023.
The 51-year-old also receives $600,000 annually toward his retirement plan and obtains a $400,000 performance bonus if OU wins the national championship.
Venables’ initial six-year deal lasts through January 31, 2028. His base salary is worth $325,000, with $6.075 million from additional outside income.
Jeff Lebby, offensive coordinator, quarterbacks
OU initially released the terms reached with Lebby on December 17 to The Oklahoman. The former Mississippi offensive coordinator agreed to a three-year deal worth $5.7 million in total compensation.
According to OU’s Board of Regents on Wednesday, Lebby will be paid $1.8 million during his first season, with annual increases of $100,000 the following two years of the deal.
Ted Roof, defensive coordinator, linebackers
Roof’s contract details were released along with Lebby’s on Dec. 17. The former Clemson defensive analyst also agreed to a three-year deal and is owed $3.45 million.
The 58-year-old journeyman will make $1.1 million this season, with annual increases of $50,000 in the final two years of the deal.
Todd Bates, co-defensive coordinator, run defense, defensive tackles
Bates was officially hired away from Clemson on Jan. 4 after helping Venables turn four Tigers defensive linemen into NFL draft picks in 2019. Regents approved a three-year deal for Bates worth $1.82 million in total compensation, which will grant him a base salary of $285,000 annually.
Bates will receive $155,000 in additional outside income in the first year of his deal. That figure increases to $380,000 in the second year of the deal and $430,000 in the third year.
Cale Gundy, receivers
Gundy’s contract, including a base salary of $285,000, was extended through 2024, per regents minutes. His additional outside income was also raised from $315,000 to $325,000 in the new term.
Bill Bedenbaugh, offensive line
Along with Gundy, Bedenbaugh’s previous contract was also extended through 2024, per regents notes. Meanwhile, his additional outside income was raised from $475,000 to $485,000, on top of his previously agreed $285,000 base salary.
Jay Valai, co-defensive coordinator, pass defense, cornerbacks and nickelbacks
Valai was hired on Dec. 14 to his third stop in three seasons after spending last year at Alabama and the year before at Texas. Regents approved a three-year deal for Valai with an annual salary of $260,000, plus $90,000 in additional outside income.
DeMarco Murray, running backs
Murray’s contract was extended through 2024, and he also received a base salary raise from $275,000 to $285,000, per regents minutes. Along with his base increase, Murray’s additional outside income increased from $75,000 to $115,000.
Joe Jon Finley, tight ends
Finley’s contract wasn’t extended, but still aligns with the other position coaches through 2024, per regents minutes. Along with his base salary of $285,000 and annual sum of $175,000 every Feb. 15, Finley received an increase from $50,000 to $60,000 in additional outside income.
