New contract makes Brent Venables highest-paid assistant in college football

CLEMSON — Brent Venables is arguably the top assistant coach in college football. Clemson’s defensive coordinator continues to get paid like it.

The Compensation Committee of the Clemson Board of Trustees approved a new deal for Venables on Wednesday.

The contract bumps Venables’ total compensation from $2.4 million per year to $2.5 million annually. Venables is also getting a year added to his contract. His new deal runs through the 2026 season.

Venables was the third-highest paid assistant in the country last year at $2.4 million, behind Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian and Auburn defensive coordinator Kevin Steele, who both made $2.5 million.

Sarkisian was named the head coach at Texas in January, while Steele was the interim head coach at Auburn and Tennessee for a short time recently but is currently unemployed.

Clemson women’s basketball coach Amanda Butler and softball coach John Rittman also received new deals and raises on Wednesday.

Clemson football assistants other than Brent Venables received new deals in February, with offensive coordinator Tony Elliott reaching the $2 million club.

Tigers passing game coordinator Brandon Streeter also received a raise in February, going from $590,000 to $615,000 per year.

Elliott, Venables and Streeter were all pursued by other schools this offseason. Venables was seriously in the mix for the Auburn head coaching job, while Elliott was heavily pursued by Tennessee for its opening.

Clemson Athletics Director Dan Radakovich said in February that Streeter had other opportunities as well.

Tigers coach Dabo Swinney did not receive a new contract this offseason. Swinney signed a 10-year, $93 million contract in 2019.

“I think we’re in a good spot with Dabo. He’s phenomenal. His contract was, I believe, 10 years, so we still have a few years before we get into a circumstance. And one of the things he wanted to do, and we were able to help this year, is make sure that some of the assistant coaches were taken care of,” Radakovich told ClemsonSports.com in May.

“Specifically coach Elliott, to make sure that he stays, because the market for incredible talent like he and coach Venables, as you saw over the last year, has just continued to get better and better. Those are two superb individuals and great coaches.”

Venables has been at Clemson since 2012, joining Dabo Swinney’s staff after a successful stint at Oklahoma. He won the Broyles Award in 2016, which is presented to the top assistant coach in college football.

Clemson has finished in the top 15 nationally in total defense for seven consecutive seasons.

Clemson football assistant coaches salaries

Defensive coordinator Brent Venables — $2.5 million (5-year deal)

Offensive coordinator Tony Elliott — $2 million (5-year deal)

Offensive line coach Robbie Caldwell — $640,000 (2-year deal)

Passing game coordinator Brandon Streeter — $615,000 (2-year deal)

Cornerbacks coach Mike Reed — $540,000 (2-year deal)

Defensive line coach/recruiting coordinator Todd Bates — $515,000 (2-year deal)

Safeties coach Mickey Conn — $515,000 (2-year deal)

Defensive ends coach Lemanski Hall — $500,000 (2-year deal)

Wide receivers coach Tyler Grisham — $300,000 (2-year deal)

Running backs coach C.J. Spiller — $300,000 (2-year deal)