Brent Venables received a six-year, $46 million extension last week from Oklahoma after two seasons leading the Sooners. Still, as glad as he is for him and them in Norman, Greg McElroy doesn’t necessarily understand why.
McElroy questioned the timing of Venables’ new deal during ‘Always College Football’ on Monday. Although he thinks he has done well so far at OU, he worries that this contract could possibly put them in a bind as they enter the SEC. That’s especially so since he already wasn’t necessarily going to be on the move anytime soon either.
“I think Brent Venables has done a nice job. From year one to year two, there was massive progress made. My question is why now?” McElroy wondered. “That’s not a slight toward Brent Venables, that’s not a slight towards the decision makers at Oklahoma. But what if Brent Venables – just saying what if – enters the SEC this year and it doesn’t go as planned? What if he enters the SEC this year and maybe there are some challenges that you don’t foresee?”
“Now, I think Oklahoma is going to be pretty good. You guys know where I stand. But was Brent Venables threatening to leave? Did Brent Venables have leverage to go on to the NFL or did he have other head coaching opportunities elsewhere? Like, what led to this extension?” continued McElroy. “I look at it – and, look, I don’t think this is likely. If Brent Venables goes out and goes 4-8 this year, then guess what? He’s on the hot seat heading into 2025 and you might be tied to him and owe him $45 million if you have to let go early of a guy that might not be taking you in the right direction.”
This doesn’t specifically apply to Venables to McElroy either. Regardless of how well things are going at the time of the signing, things can always change, especially this early in a head coaching career, which is why he usually leans more toward patience.
“Now, I say all that in saying that I think Brent Venables is the right guy for the job at Oklahoma. But, at the same time, I have always wondered why,” McElroy said. “It doesn’t matter how long your contract is. You can get fired at any moment and you also can leave for another job at any moment as well.”
However, Oklahoma appears to counter those thoughts with a desire for stability. As they join the Southeastern Conference, the Sooners want someone set and in place to start this new era. That’s why Venables, with a record of 16-10 so far, will now be under contract there through the rest of the decade.
To be clear, McElroy doesn’t have an issue with Oklahoma locking in with Venables. It’s their choice and one that they’re obviously excited about moving forward.
It’s just not how he’d go about it, specifically with such a massive change coming for them in less than a week.
“I look at Brent Venables? I think he’s at the top of the food chain, I don’t think he’s going anywhere. So what’s the point in rewarding him with a contract extension before you jump into a league that could potentially be a lot more difficult than the league that he just inhabited the last two seasons?” McElroy wondered.
“I’m happy for Brent Venables. I’m happy for Oklahoma. They have their guy. I just didn’t feel like this was necessary,” said McElroy. “But, at the same time, if it makes them sleep a little easier? All for it.”
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