Multiple Reports: Brent Venables Closing in on Deal to Become Next Oklahoma Head Coach

Venables has been the defensive coordinator with the Clemson Tigers since 2012.

The finish line is in sight.

According to multiple reports, Oklahoma is closing in on a deal to hire Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables as their new head football coach.

The news was broke Sunday morning by ESPN's Chris Low and later confirmed by Sports Illustrated's Ross Dellenger and others.

#Oklahoma has targeted #Clemson DC Brent Venables as its next head coach, sources tell @SInow, confirming @ClowESPN’s report.

Deal expected to be finalized soon.

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) December 5, 2021

Venables has been the top target for Oklahoma fans since early in the week due to his Sooner routes having been on Bob Stoops’ coaching staff from 1999-2011.

His departure for Clemson still heavily discussed a decade later, but now, it looks like he's possibly on his way back to Norman.

Clemson DC Brent Venables, a former DC at Oklahoma, is leading candidate for OU coaching vacancy, sources told @ActionNetworkHQ. 1st report by @ClowESPN. Venables’ offensive coordinator likely would be Ole Miss OC Jeff Lebby, an OU alum. Introductory news conference on Monday

— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) December 5, 2021

Action Network's Brett McMurphy reported that Venables introductory press conference would be Monday, although multiple OU sources said nothing has been formally scheduled yet. The athletic department would need to alert OU's radio and television partners with enough time to prepare for a broadcast, though it's believed they would need only a few hours' notice.

Also included in reports is that Ole Miss offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby was Venables' "top choice" to assume the same position on Venables’ new staff.

Veteran Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables has emerged as the top target for the @OU_Football head coaching job, and the two sides could finalize a deal as early as today. Ole Miss’ Jeff Lebby is Venables’ top choice as offensive coordinator, sources tell ESPN.

— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) December 5, 2021

Lebby, who has the OC and quarterbacks coach of the Rebels the last two seasons, is an Oklahoma graduate. He was a prized offensive line recruit but injured his back and never played. Instead, he got immediately into coaching. Lebby is married to former Baylor coach Art Briles' daughter.

If Venables is confirmed as Joe Castiglione's choice, Sooner fans will likely rejoice. He was a popular Bob Stoops lieutenant for more than a decade, including a stint as associate head coach. From 2012 to 2021, Venables has guided one of college football's most fearsome defenses at Clemson. He won the Broyles Award in 2016 as 

Brent Venables has been Clemson's full-time DC for 9 seasons (1st year he was co-DC).

In those 9 years, Clemson has allowed 5+ yards per play only twice (2013 - 5.1 and 2020 - 5.0).

During that same time, Oklahoma has allowed 5+ yards per play in 8 of 9 seasons.

— Lee Benson (@LeeBensonTweets) December 5, 2021

Venables, 50, 

SI Sooners will continue to provide updates as they emerge.