The latest on Venables (6 p.m. CT update)
(Update, 6:13 p.m.: Just heard back from Venables, via text. “Working through details…” is what he said. So, there’s that. Take it as you will.)
CAMPUS CORNER — Well, it’s been a strange hour or so in the Brent Venables sweepstakes. First he was going. Then he wasn’t. Now we don’t know, but he probably maybe sort of kind of is. Welcome to the 24-hour news cycle, friends. This could all change by the time I post, but post I will, because it’s my job.
Here’s what I just filed for our website, recapping everything as best I could.
By TRAVIS HANEY
NORMAN – After a dizzying hour of conflicting reports, the question with Brent Venables hasn’t changed: Is he staying at Oklahoma or going to Clemson?
The Sooners veteran defensive coordinator was headed east, according to a report Wednesday afternoon on a South Carolina-based website. Clemson’s Scout website, CUTigers.com, said a contract was being prepared for submission to the university board for final approval.
That report was confirmed and advanced by several news outlets, including ESPN.com – which said he had been hired by Clemson.
Minutes later, though, Venables texted two OU media members saying that the report was inaccurate. He even told a Tulsa World columnist that he was staying, although it was unclear whether Venables was joking.
Soon after that, multiple Clemson beat reporters said the chairman of the board indicated there had been no discussions about Venables’ contract. Some of that from David Wilkins, though, could have been semantics about the board’s reception of the contract. He did not flatly deny Venables’ candidacy.
The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier then said athletic director Terry Don Phillips, formerly of Oklahoma State, indicated Wednesday afternoon that a contract offer to Venables had not yet been made.
That went along with what sources had been telling The Oklahoman on Wednesday. According to those at Clemson, Tigers coach Dabo Swinney still planned to interview one or two more candidates – potentially in person.
The flurry of news activity leaves everyone in virtually the same position as earlier in the day, when it was a coin flip whether Venables would stay or leave.
Venables visited South Carolina on Saturday and Sunday with his wife, Julie, exploring the possibility of joining Dabo Swinney’s staff. Pending that board approval, he is expected to make between $750,000 and $1 million a year. (His most recent contract at OU was for $440,000 a year.)
The 41-year-old Venables returned home Sunday night from the interview in South Carolina. Bob Stoops and school officials have been, to some extent, talking with him about staying on staff since he got back.
Venables has been on OU’s staff since Bob Stoops came to Norman. He was the co-coordinator with Mike Stoops until 2004, when he left to become Arizona’s head coach. Venables was in charge of the defense from then until Friday, when Mike Stoops again returned to share the coordinator tag.
Mike and Bob Stoops both adamantly said last weekend that the play-calling responsibilities had not yet been discussed, and Venables would remain involved. Mike Stoops was the principle play-caller when they shared the responsibilities in the initial arrangement.
Oklahoma was ranked 55th this past season in total defense, allowing 376.2 yards a game. That was the second lowest final ranking in Venables’ time at OU, behind only the 2008 season.
The job at Clemson came open when the school parted ways with Kevin Steele, whose defense finished 71st in the country – and gave up 70 points in West Virginia in the Orange Bowl.
= Trav
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Comments
I think he is gone…too bad …but a man has to do what a man has to do….at 41 he has a lot of time to pursue a HC job…just look at where Chuck long is today, Mark Mangino, Mike Stoops, Kevin Wilson ….at 1-11 he won’t last long. All poor decisions…Mike had the best shot. And had he calmed himself down on the sidelines….I agree he may still be at Zona…
What if things do not pan out at Clemson? What if their W-L record becomes mediocre at 7-5 or 8-4.? Is KSU still interested then? What if Swinney screws up and is let go in a year or two? Where does BV land…not back at OU..
Almost sounds as if Bob doesn’t want him back…guess that transcribes to JC and the higher ups at OU.
Too bad….Stoops apparently is under more pressure than most of us know….hope things work out for all concerned….they are all good decent folks.
A side question… How is it that Clemson has a big enough budget to pay coordinators a million dollars a year? Is that possible. And does anyone know what we are paying Mike Stoops? Is that now the going rate for coordinators and big time programs?
Dam! The drama queen made his choice. Wasn’t a drama to me, I knew he was leaving-last week-end. Wish him well. Since the ACC doesn’t play offense like the Big 12, he should be able to bring the D stats down below OU. According to Tramel, that’s why his stats were so bad, was no other conference played west coast offense as good as the Big 12. Tramel will say anything to protect the OU staff. Trouble is, nobody believes him.
please stay venables,we need you to no matter what they say .You helped us win the title too. BOONER SOONER OUT