Brent Venables targeting SEC offensive coordinator for Oklahoma staff

Ole Miss offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby could be on his way to Norman. According to a report from ESPN’s Chris Low, Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables has emerged as the ‘top target’ for Oklahoma’s head coaching job.

If it comes to fruition, Venables plans to bring Lebby to the Sooners as his offensive coordinator.

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

The 37-year old coach impressed many with his work at UCF, where he was an offensive assistant for two season. Then, Lane Kiffin hired Lebby as his offensive coordinator when he took the job at Ole Miss.

Since then, Lebby’s offenses has been tough to stop. The Rebels have been one of the most exciting teams to watch in the nation, and quarterback Matt Corral will likely be in New York for the Heisman ceremony.

After signing an extension on Saturday, Kiffin will be in Oxford for the foreseeable future. However, it’s evident that Lebby may be leaving him as early as Sunday.

More on Lebby, Venables to Oklahoma

The news regarding Lebby and Venables comes shortly after Lincoln Riley accepted the head coaching job at USC on last Sunday. At Oklahoma, Riley took over for Stoops in June 2017. In five years as Oklahoma’s head coach, he amassed a 55-10 overall record and 37-7 mark in conference play. Riley has made the College Football Playoff four times but never made a national title game appearance.

Venables, the current Clemson defensive coordinator, was first reported as a name to watch in the search early Monday morning. Venables has been at Clemson since 2012, serving six seasons as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, before his promotion in 2018. Ever since then, he’s served as Clemson’s assistant head coach, in addition to his duties as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. Before his arrival in South Carolina, he coached at Oklahoma for 13 seasons.

Prior to his arrival at Clemson, Venables served as the defensive coordinator at Oklahoma from 1999 until 2011. He was the co-defensive coordinator for his first four seasons, before later stepping into his role as the sole coordinator. Venables coached the defense under Stoops in 2000, when the Sooners were consensus national champions. Also, he was a Broyles Award in 2006. That season, Venables led Oklahoma to an excellent performance in which the Sooners led the Big 12 in total defense and scoring defense.