ESPN REPORT: Brent Venables Stuns College Football World — Rejects $9.5 Million Offer from Kansas and Georgia to Remain Loyal to Oklahoma Sooners
In a bombshell announcement that sent shockwaves through the college football landscape, Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables has officially rejected a staggering $9.5 million per year offer reportedly extended by powerhouse programs Kansas and Georgia, choosing instead to remain firmly planted in Norman with the team and university he calls home.
According to ESPN insiders and high-level athletic department sources, both Kansas and Georgia approached Venables with serious, high-stakes offers—complete with performance bonuses, staff control, facility upgrades, and NIL influence. But in a dramatic twist that speaks to his character and long-term vision, Venables turned down the money, prestige, and pressure elsewhere, offering a passionate and unwavering statement:
> “I have no plans beyond being the Oklahoma Sooners head coach. This is where my heart is, this is where my mission is, and this is where I’m building something special.”
The decision to stay comes at a pivotal time for Oklahoma football. As the program continues to transition into a new era—one fueled by recruiting momentum, rising stars, and increasing playoff aspirations—Venables’ choice anchors the team with consistency, loyalty, and leadership. It sends a loud and clear message: Oklahoma is not just a stepping stone. It’s a final destination.
Brent Venables has been more than just a coach. Since taking over in 2021 following the departure of Lincoln Riley, he has reshaped the Sooners’ culture from the inside out. Known for his passion, defensive genius, and emphasis on discipline, Venables has revived Oklahoma’s toughness and grit, especially on the defensive side of the ball—an area long seen as the team’s Achilles’ heel during their high-scoring Big 12 years.
This season, the Sooners are coming off an impressive campaign marked by an elite recruiting class, major wins, and a defense ranked among the top in the conference. With the move to the SEC on the horizon, Venables has made it clear that he sees unfinished business in Norman—and walking away now was never on his agenda.
The fans agree. As soon as the news broke, Sooner Nation lit up social media with hashtags like #VenablesForLife and #LoyalToTheSoil, applauding the coach’s commitment in a college football world increasingly driven by money and short-term gains.
Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione released a short but powerful statement of support:
> “Coach Venables represents the best of what college football is supposed to be. His decision to stay speaks volumes, and we’re all-in on his vision for this program.”
As coaching salaries skyrocket and loyalty becomes a rarity, Brent Venables has flipped the script. He’s chosen legacy over leverage, purpose over paycheck.
And in doing so, he’s not just earning respect—he’s writing his name deeper into the proud history of Oklahoma football.
The Sooners didn’t just keep a co
ach. They kept their heart.
