Joe Castiglione on Brent Venables extension: 'Stability and strength going into the SEC was the best path'

Just days before becoming an official member of the SEC, Oklahoma AD Joe Castiglione decided to make headlines. Brent Venables signed a contract extension after just two seasons with the Sooners, bringing the deal back to six total.

A few have questioned the move from Castiglione, even after Oklahoma was able to have a bounce back in Year Two. He went on The Paul Finebaum Show to explain the decision, emphasizing the importance of stability while the entire athletic department transitions. Castiglione is always looking ahead and no matter how the extension plays out, extending Venables is the best move in his opinion.

“He started with a six-year contract,” Castiglione said. “His contract was now under four. You know the importance of stability in a world where it’s probably the most unstable in the history of college athletics. It’s chaotic, it’s disruptive… You need to think about where you’re headed. We always want to be great where our feet are planted, that’s important.

“But we have to look where we’re headed. The momentum that is created, due in large part to Brent. The recruiting he’s doing right now. The world where you have player movement all over the place. For them to understand that we are all together… We thought stability and strength going into the SEC was the best path for us. Usually, it pays big dividends when you’re decisive about those things.”

Venables was hired after the sudden departure of Lincoln Riley. Plenty of key players left Oklahoma whether via the NFL Draft or NCAA transfer portal, leaving Venables with a rebuild. His first season did not go to plan, finishing 6-7 due to a bowl loss, Oklahoma’s first losing season since the 1990s.

But Castiglione points out how well Venables responded in 2023, getting back to double-digit wins. Getting a win in the Red River Shootout certainly helps the cause.

“We’ve looked at the two years that he’s been here,” Castiglione said. “Ten wins last year. Sure, there were a couple games we thought we could win and didn’t. But we won a big game that nobody felt like we would win in beating Texas. Only team to beat Texas until the Playoff.”

Venables is now set to be with the Sooners through the rest of the decade. Castiglione has faith in the program’s direction and wants to enter the SEC with there being confidence from all parties. Now, the on-field results can continue against the top teams in college football.