Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Brent Venables

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: November 23, 2025

Discover the career path of Brent Venables, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Thomas Brent Venables is an American college football coach, currently serving as the head coach at the University of Oklahoma since 2022. Prior to Oklahoma, he was the associate head coach, defensive coordinator, and linebackers coach at Clemson University from 2012 to 2021. Venables is highly regarded in the college football world, demonstrated by his Broyles Award win in 2016.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1989: Played Linebacker at Garden City Community College

In 1989, Brent Venables played linebacker at Garden City Community College.

1990: Played Linebacker at Garden City Community College

In 1990, Brent Venables played linebacker at Garden City Community College.

1991: Played Linebacker at Kansas State University under Bill Snyder

In 1991, Brent Venables played linebacker at Kansas State University under head coach Bill Snyder.

1991: Played Football at Kansas State University

In 1991, Brent Venables started playing football as a linebacker at Kansas State University.

1992: Played Football at Kansas State University

In 1992, Brent Venables played football as a linebacker at Kansas State University.

1992: Played Linebacker at Kansas State University under Bill Snyder

In 1992, Brent Venables played linebacker at Kansas State University under head coach Bill Snyder.

1993: Began Coaching Career at Kansas State as Graduate Assistant

In 1993, Brent Venables began his coaching career at Kansas State as a graduate assistant.

1996: Promoted to Linebackers Coach at Kansas State

In 1996, Brent Venables was promoted to linebackers coach at Kansas State.

1998: Served as Linebackers Coach at Kansas State

In 1998, Brent Venables served as linebackers coach at Kansas State.

1999: Began Coaching at the University of Oklahoma

In 1999, Brent Venables began coaching at the University of Oklahoma as co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach under Bob Stoops.

2004: Became Sole Defensive Coordinator at Oklahoma

In 2004, Brent Venables became the sole defensive coordinator at the University of Oklahoma and was also promoted to associate head coach after Mike Stoops became head coach at Arizona.

2004: Mike Stoops Returns to Oklahoma

In 2004, Mike Stoops returned to Oklahoma to resume the defensive coordinator position.

January 2012: Accepted Defensive Coordinator Position at Clemson

In January 2012, Brent Venables accepted the position of defensive coordinator at Clemson. His salary was expected to be between $750,000 and $1 million.

2012: Associate Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator, and Linebackers Coach at Clemson University

In 2012, Brent Venables became the associate head coach, defensive coordinator, and linebackers coach at Clemson University.

December 6, 2017: Second-Highest Paid Assistant Football Coach

On December 6, 2017, it was reported that Brent Venables was the second-highest paid assistant football coach in college football that year, receiving $1.7 million from Clemson.