In a powerful act of compassion that transcends the gridiron, Oklahoma Sooners head football coach Brent Venables has made a monumental personal investment to address a growing crisis in his home state. Venables has allocated $3.6 million of his personal funds to transform a 12,000-square-foot property into a state-of-the-art shelter and rehabilitation center for homeless youth in Oklahoma. The newly named Safe Haven House, located just outside of Norman, will serve as a beacon of hope and a launchpad for second chances for vulnerable teens and young adults.
Venables, a fiery and focused figure on the sidelines, is known for his defensive acumen and deep commitment to player development. But off the field, the 54-year-old coach has quietly nurtured a strong sense of service rooted in his own difficult upbringing. This latest move signals a major expansion of his legacy — not just as a coach, but as a humanitarian.
From Gameday Strategist to Community Builder
In a candid statement released Friday morning, Venables opened up about the motivation behind this bold project:
“This wasn’t just about charity. This was about purpose. After a series of conversations with my wife, my team chaplain, and some of the kids who’ve come through our program, I realized I couldn’t ignore the needs right in our backyard. These young people aren’t nameless faces — they’re the same age as many of the student-athletes I mentor every day. The difference is opportunity.”
The coach emphasized that the idea for Safe Haven House had been germinating for over a year, but the tipping point came during a visit to an emergency youth shelter in Oklahoma City last fall. There, he met several teenagers who had aged out of foster care or had been forced onto the streets due to family conflicts, poverty, or substance abuse at home.
“I walked out of that shelter and knew I had to do something bigger,” Venables said.
A Mansion Reimagined
The property in question — a luxury home that once belonged to an oil executive — sits on ten acres of land with sprawling lawns, a basketball court, and even a private theater. Rather than bulldozing and rebuilding, Venables partnered with architects and social workers to retrofit the mansion into a 20-bed facility complete with a counseling wing, educational technology lab, and community garden.
The vision for Safe Haven House is holistic. Not just a place to sleep, it will offer:
- On-site therapy and trauma counseling
- GED and job training programs
- Fitness and health education initiatives
- Mentorship from college athletes and local professionals
- Spiritual support and life skills workshops
“It’s about dignity,” said Jackie Reynolds, the project coordinator and former director of Oklahoma’s Department of Human Services Youth Division. “Coach Venables didn’t just want to build a place where kids survive. He wanted to build a place where they can thrive.”
Why Now?
Venables’ decision comes during a time of rising concern about youth homelessness across Oklahoma. According to a 2024 report from the Oklahoma Department of Housing and Community Development, nearly 10,000 young people under the age of 25 experience homelessness each year — many of them unaccompanied minors.
Oklahoma ranks among the top 10 states for youth homelessness per capita, with particularly high numbers among LGBTQ+ youth, young people of color, and those aging out of the foster care system. Lack of affordable housing, a shortage of mental health resources, and inconsistent educational support have all contributed to the problem.
“There’s an entire population of young people who are falling through the cracks,” said State Rep. Lauren Hill (D-Oklahoma City), a vocal advocate for youth welfare. “Coach Venables’ investment is unprecedented and could set a new model for what public-private partnerships can look like.”
Players and Staff All-In
Perhaps most inspiring is the way Venables has brought his football program into the fold.
He has already organized monthly volunteer sessions for players at the shelter, including everything from tutoring to community meals. Defensive tackle Da’Jon Terry, a senior leader on the team, said that working with local youth has reshaped his own goals.
“Coach always tells us that leadership is what you do when nobody’s watching. Getting to mentor kids who’ve had it 10 times harder than I ever did — it’s changed my life. We’re not just here to play ball anymore.”
Assistant coaches and support staff are also contributing time and expertise, with some even helping develop the job training curriculum.
Moreover, Venables has partnered with the University of Oklahoma’s College of Education and Health Sciences to provide long-term academic and psychological support for shelter residents. Internships for graduate students in social work and counseling will be integrated into Safe Haven’s infrastructure, providing both help for youth and training opportunities for future professionals.
Faith, Family, and Second Chances
The shelter is deeply personal for Venables. Raised by a single mother in Salina, Kansas, Venables was no stranger to hardship. His father left when he was young, and financial struggles marked much of his early life. Football became a lifeline — a path to stability, discipline, and community.
In his statement, Venables reflected on that journey:
“I had coaches who saw something in me when I didn’t even see it in myself. Now I’m trying to be that kind of mentor for others — whether they wear a Sooners jersey or not.”
Faith also played a key role in the shelter’s founding. Venables, a devout Christian, described the decision as an act of obedience and gratitude.
He cited the Book of James, chapter 1, verse 27: “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress…”
This foundation has made Safe Haven House not just a project, but a mission.
Reception from the Community
The reaction across Oklahoma has been swift and overwhelmingly positive.
Social media exploded with praise for the coach’s generosity and vision. Former players, local politicians, and rival coaches offered their support and admiration.
Lincoln Riley, now head coach at USC but formerly at Oklahoma, tweeted:
“Incredible gesture by Brent. This is leadership, plain and simple. Proud to have coached alongside him.”
OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. also praised Venables:
“This initiative reflects the very best of our university’s values. Brent is setting an example for every member of the Sooner family.”
Sustainability and Expansion
Although the initial $3.6 million investment came from Venables’ personal fortune, the shelter will be sustained through a combination of private donations, university partnerships, and a newly created nonprofit — the Second Wind Foundation.
The foundation, also launched by Venables, aims to raise $10 million over the next five years to expand Safe Haven’s programs and build satellite centers in Tulsa and Lawton.
Corporate partners have already expressed interest. Love’s Travel Stops, headquartered in Oklahoma City, has pledged $500,000 toward the foundation’s first-year goal. Discussions are underway with Chickasaw Nation representatives about potential joint initiatives targeting Native American youth.
Looking Ahead
Safe Haven House is set to open its doors in August 2025, just weeks before the college football season kicks off.
Venables hopes the timing sends a message.
“As we get ready to fight on Saturdays, I want people to know that we’re fighting every day — for kids who deserve a shot. Football is a game. This is life.”
Indeed, while Brent Venables may be remembered for defensive schemes and Big 12 championships, it is his off-the-field commitment that could become his most lasting contribution.
In a world where coaches are often measured by wins and losses, Venables is redefining success in terms of impact and empathy.
Final Thoughts
In an era where headlines are often filled with scandal and controversy, Brent Venables has delivered something else entirely — hope. Through Safe Haven House, he has offered more than money. He’s offered belief, stability, and a future to those who need it most.
The gridiron may be his domain, but with this move, Brent Venables has shown that his greatest play call might just be compassion.