Brent Venables sends emotional message to Dabo Swinney, Clemson players

Brent Venables has been a staple for the Clemson Tigers’ football program for nearly all of Clemson’s magical moments under Dabo Swinney.

Finally, the long-time defensive coordinator for the Tigers, who became the second-highest paid assistant coach in college football with an extension in 2017– saw an offer to lead a program that fit.

After the sudden departure of Lincoln Riley for USC, the Oklahoma brass moved swiftly and landed their man in a move that was announced over the weekend with the hire of Venables.

Venables joined Bob Stoops’ staff in 1999 as the co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. He won the national championship with the Sooners in 2000 and appeared in another two in 2003 and 2008. Oklahoma decided to move on from Venables in 2011, letting him go to Clemson to be with Swinney. Another two national championships are now under his belt (2016 and 2018).

While he’s grateful for the opportunity and has strong ties to the Sooners, Venables reflected on his time at Clemson as he addressed Oklahoma fans at his introductory pep rally.

“Y’all know we had incredible success there, the secret sauce there is the people. Like any great family, any great organizations — it’s the people,” Venables said. “I’ve grown more in these last 10 years holistically as a man, as a husband, as a father, as a coach, as a believer than I have the rest of my life. And I am just incredibly indebted.”

Brent Venables legacy at Clemson

Since taking over the defense in 2012, Venables has been Swinney’s right-hand man, constantly producing top-ranked defenses. In 2018, the new Oklahoma front man was elevated to associate head coach for the Tigers.

Even this season, where Clemson clearly took a major step back and fell from the dominance that has defined the Tigers under Swinney, Venables delivered. Clemson boasts the No. 10 defensive unit in the country, allowing an average of 15 points per game. Only Georgia was better in that category.

Brent Venables has been linked to head coaching searches year in his 10 seasons with the Tigers, but it took Oklahoma – where he had spent 13 seasons (1999-2011) as a defensive coordinator and linebackers coach – to lure him away from a Clemson program that he had helped guide to two national championships.

The Tigers went 120-17 during Venables’ time at Clemson, won six Atlantic Coast Conference titles and made the College Football Playoff six times.

Though Venables is going back to a place where he will be tasked with continuing to elevate a top-tier program, the former Clemson defensive coordinator says he will always share a deep bond with everyone associated with the Tigers.

“They’re family there,” Brent Venables added.

“I wouldn’t be standing here today if it wasn’t for his belief in me and his lovely wife, Kathleen, and their lovely children. They’re like family. And to my players at Clemson. Y’all know, and the former players here. The only reason why I am standing up here is because of your work, your passion, your love, your commitment. Again, I’m just grateful for those relationships. Although I’m in Oklahoma, family is family.”

While Tigers’ fans are surely sad to see him go, Brent Venables will always be respected in Clemson.