Report: Oklahoma finalizing new contract, raise for co-DC, DT coach Todd Bates

The Oklahoma Sooners have decided to lock up their co-defensive coordinator for the foreseeable future with a new contract. The Sooners are in the process of finalizing a new contract for co-defensive coordinator/defensive tackles coach, Todd Bates, Matt Zenitz of 247Sports reported on Thursday evening. It includes a significant raise after he received plenty of interest for multiple different jobs this offseason, including one in the SEC.

He’s expected to make $900,000 and it will make him one of the highest paid coaches in the country. Before getting the raise, his salary was listed at $665,000, according to On3’s Coach Salaries Index. Bates has been with the Sooners since January of 2022, where he’s served as both the defensive coordinator and defensive tackles coach. Before joining the Sooners, he spent from 2017-2021 with the Clemson Tigers under Brent Venables. Bates worked with the defensive tackles and defensive linemen with Clemson as well.

In 2022, Bates was part of a Sooners’ defensive staff that helped their defense rank fourth in the nation in tackles for loss (104). During his five seasons with the Clemson Tigers, his units helped the Tigers lead the country in sacks (235) and tackles for loss (565).

Under Bates, Clemson’s 2021 defense ranked second in the nation in scoring defense (15.0 ppg), sixth in sacks (41.0; tied), and eighth in rushing defense (98.8 ypg). Clemson also had one of the nation’s best defensive lines in 2017 and 2018, featuring Christian Wilkins, Dexter Lawrence, Clelin Ferrell, and Austin Bryant.

Before joining Clemson, he spent from 2014-2016 with Jacksonville State.

In his three years with the Gamecocks, the team compiled a 33-6 overall record and a 23-0 overall record. The team won three Ohio Valley Conference championships and reached the 2015 FCS National Championship Game. Bates guided JSU to a 10-2 record in 2016 and the No. 6 final ranking in Division I-AA. They had the nation’s fourth-ranked defense (275.0 ypg). In 2014, the Gamecocks led the league in rushing defense (127 yards per game).

When he got into coaching initially, he began in the high school coaching ranks, working at Talladega High School (Alabama) in 2007 and Oxford (Alabama) High School from 2008-2011.

A native of Alabama, Bates played his college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide from 2001-2004. In the NFL, he played two seasons with the Tennessee Titans, before injuries shortened his career.