Oklahoma Coach Venables Takes $1M Pay Cut for 2025 Season

Brent Venables, head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners, has taken a $1 million pay cut for the 2025 season as a one-time give-back to support the football program's revenue-sharing efforts, particularly funding media rights and NIL deals. This reduction lowers his 2025 salary to $7.55 million but does not affect the remainder of his contract, which runs through 2030 with scheduled salary increases. The pay cut was initiated by Venables himself, reflecting his commitment to the program amid recent struggles, including a 6-7 record in Oklahoma's first SEC season and pressure on his job security. Oklahoma has also hired football general manager Jim Nagy on a separate contract to support the program. Despite the setbacks, the Sooners enter the 2025 season ranked No. 18 nationally, opening against Illinois State, with Venables aiming to turn the program around. This move aligns with similar actions by other coaches in the region and highlights the financial adjustments programs are making following new NCAA revenue-sharing models.