# Oklahoma extends Venables through rocky start

> The Sooners back their coach with a raise despite a 1-1 season and recent SEC struggles.
- Title: Oklahoma extends Venables through rocky start | Shortify
- Summary: The Sooners back their coach with a raise despite a 1-1 season and recent SEC struggles. Athletic director Roger Denny is committing to long-term stability…
- Keywords: brent venables, oklahoma sooners, contract extension, roger denny, college football, sec transition, coaching stability, sports, Oklahoma, extends, Venables, through
- Source: Oklahoma Sooners On SI — https://si.com/college/oklahoma/football/brent-venables-contract-extension-approved-by-oklahoma-board-of-regents-01m2kv8v982t
- Published: 2026-09-16T01:32:28+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: brent venables, oklahoma sooners, contract extension, roger denny, college football, sec transition, coaching stability, sports
## Regents approve Venables extension
Oklahoma's Board of Regents approved Brent Venables' contract extension on Tuesday, raising his average annual pay to 10.5 million dollars.
## Deal announced in August
The extension was initially announced on August 20th and represents a significant raise from his original six-year deal worth 7.25 million per year.
## Denny backs long-term commitment
Athletic director Roger Denny said he's confident Venables can lead through rough patches, preferring to support coaches rather than make quick changes.
## Sooners stumbling early this season
Oklahoma is 1-1 after losing 17-10 at Michigan last weekend, continuing struggles from a 6-7 SEC debut season.
## Four-plus years of mixed results
Venables is 33-21 overall at Oklahoma and led the team to the College Football Playoff last season before the recent decline.
## Denny's first major extension
This is the first significant contract extension since Roger Denny replaced Joe Castiglione as athletic director.
## Stadium experience center approved
Regents also approved 3.5 million dollars for a new 7,000 square-foot sales and marketing venue at Gaylord Family Stadium, opening in December.
## Baseball stadium gets Toby Keith center
The regents named a new performance center at Kimrey Family Stadium the Toby Keith Family Performance Center as part of a 49 million dollar renovation.
## Baseball facility opens in 2028
The next renovation phase including the performance center begins this fall and is expected to be completed by spring 2028.
## Key takeaway

Athletic director Roger Denny is committing to long-term stability with Venables rather than making quick coaching changes, even as the team stumbles early.