ESPN REPORT: Brent Venables Shocks CFB World, Turns Down $9.5M Offer from Kansas, Georgia to Stay at Oklahoma: ‘I Have No Plans Beyond Being the Sooners’ Head Coach’
In a college football offseason defined by dizzying coaching carousel drama, eye-popping NIL figures, and backroom dealings that would make a Washington lobbyist blush, Brent Venables just redefined loyalty. According to an ESPN report released late Thursday night, the Oklahoma Sooners head coach has declined massive head coaching offers from both the Kansas Jayhawks and Georgia Bulldogs, each reportedly totaling as much as $9.5 million per year. Venables, a man of passion, discipline, and deeply rooted conviction, delivered a simple, unwavering message to his team and fanbase: “I have no plans beyond being the Sooners’ head coach.”
The news sent seismic shockwaves throughout the college football landscape. Georgia, a national powerhouse still licking its wounds after coming up short of another championship appearance, was believed to be targeting Venables as a top-tier replacement following the unexpected retirement of head coach Kirby Smart. Kansas, a program on the rise and eager to solidify its momentum, was prepared to break the bank to lure Venables back to his home state. But in the end, neither prestige nor money could sway the 54-year-old architect of Oklahoma’s resurgence.
“I gave my word to this university, this team, and this community,” Venables said during an impromptu team meeting Friday morning. “You can’t buy commitment. You can’t negotiate integrity. This is home. This is family. And my heart beats crimson and cream.”
For Oklahoma fans, Venables’ decision felt like winning a championship in itself. His loyalty isn’t performative—it’s woven into the fabric of who he is. Since taking over the reins in 2022 after Lincoln Riley’s controversial departure to USC, Venables has worked tirelessly to rebuild Oklahoma’s culture from the ground up. And while the early days of his tenure were met with scrutiny, including a 6–7 record in his first season, the Sooners roared back under his leadership, finishing 11–2 last year and narrowly missing the College Football Playoff.
The decision by Venables comes at a time when coaching turnover is more rampant than ever. The temptation of lucrative contracts and blue-blood opportunities has turned many longtime head coaches into nomads, chasing dollar signs at the expense of continuity. Venables’ refusal to join that trend has not only endeared him to the Sooner faithful but also ignited a conversation about what truly matters in today’s college football.
“What Brent Venables just did is rare. It’s almost unheard of,” said ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum. “We’re talking about a guy who turned down one of the most dominant programs in the country in Georgia and a massive offer from Kansas, which is investing more in football than ever before. He walked away from generational money, all to stay loyal to his players and his vision at Oklahoma. That’s not just admirable—it’s revolutionary.”
Venables’ Oklahoma tenure has been defined by his ability to instill toughness, accountability, and pride into the program. A former defensive coordinator at Clemson under Dabo Swinney, he brought with him a championship pedigree and a tenacious attitude. His defenses at Oklahoma have steadily improved, evolving into one of the stingiest units in the Big 12, and with the Sooners now officially part of the SEC beginning this fall, Venables’ commitment couldn’t have come at a more pivotal moment.
“Joining the SEC isn’t just about competition—it’s about legacy,” Venables said last month. “We’re not just trying to keep up. We’re here to set the standard.”
The timing of the offers from Kansas and Georgia is as intriguing as the offers themselves. Kansas, despite historically being a basketball school, has made significant strides on the football field under Lance Leipold. With Leipold departing for the NFL to join the New England Patriots’ coaching staff, Kansas had identified Venables as its dream hire, according to sources close to the program. Jayhawk boosters reportedly prepared an eight-year, $76 million deal, including extensive performance bonuses and full control of the football operation.
Georgia, meanwhile, approached Venables in a more subtle manner. After the abrupt announcement that Kirby Smart was stepping away due to health concerns, Georgia reached out to several high-profile candidates but reportedly zeroed in on Venables after internal discussions. The Bulldogs were prepared to offer a five-year deal worth close to $48 million with incentives, fully aware of what he could do in the SEC.
But the Sooners’ coach never seriously considered either proposal, according to multiple ESPN sources. He thanked both schools for their interest but quickly reaffirmed his commitment to Oklahoma, shutting the door before negotiations even got off the ground.
“This wasn’t about leverage. He didn’t use it to get a raise. He didn’t string anyone along,” a source close to the situation told ESPN. “He said thank you, but no. That was it. That’s who he is.”
Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione echoed that sentiment in a brief statement, calling Venables “the embodiment of leadership and integrity.”
“There’s no one better suited to lead this program into the SEC era,” Castiglione said. “Coach Venables has never wavered in his dedication to our student-athletes, university, and fans. We are grateful—deeply grateful—for his loyalty and vision.”
The players, too, were quick to respond with emotion and enthusiasm. Many current Sooners took to social media to share their gratitude. Star linebacker Kip Lewis tweeted, “Coach V is HIM. Real one. We ride together till the end.” Quarterback Jackson Arnold added, “There’s no other coach I’d rather play for. Let’s go win it all.”
For recruits, the message couldn’t be clearer. Stability in college football has become a rare and valuable commodity. While other programs undergo massive transitions, Oklahoma now finds itself anchored by a coach whose vision extends well beyond wins and losses. That matters, especially in an era where NIL deals and transfer portal promises can cloud judgment.
“This is a guy you trust with your future,” said 5-star defensive lineman Ashton Kearney, an Oklahoma commit in the class of 2026. “I picked OU because of Coach Venables. He’s real. He means what he says. This makes me want to run through a wall for him.”
Venables’ decision will likely reverberate far beyond Norman. Other coaches may take note of the strength it took to say no when everyone else might have said yes. Athletic departments and boosters will be reminded that loyalty cannot be bought, and players around the country will see that some coaches still believe in building something lasting.
Not everyone agreed with his decision, of course. Critics argue that walking away from nearly $10 million annually is fiscally irresponsible or short-sighted. But to those who know Venables best, his priorities have always been rooted in faith, family, and football—not fortune.
“I’ve never coached for a check,” Venables told ESPN in a sit-down interview following the announcement. “I coach for the people. For the young men who trust me to guide them. For the fans who show up win or lose. For the legacy that stretches back generations. I don’t need a bigger bank account. I need to know I did things the right way. And right now, the right way is here in Norman.”
As Oklahoma prepares to enter one of the most competitive chapters in program history, they’ll do so with the right man at the helm—steadfast, loyal, and unshakably focused. The Sooners aren’t just gaining momentum; they’re gaining an identity, forged by a coach who chose principle over profit.
In a sport increasingly defined by transactions and turmoil, Brent Venables just made a decision that will echo through generations of Oklahoma football and beyond. Whether or not it leads to national championships or historic win totals, one thing is certain: Brent Venables is the head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners. And he’s not going anywhere.
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