Oklahoma coach Brent Venables gets new 6-year deal with pay raise as team prepares for SEC play

ARDMORE, Okla. — Oklahoma coach Brent Venables has been rewarded with a pay raise, agreeing to a new six-year deal valued at $51.6 million as the Sooners prepare to join the Southeastern Conference.

The contract was approved at the school's Board of Regents meeting on Friday.

Venables has spent two seasons as Oklahoma's coach, initially signing for six years and $43.5 million. The Sooners went 6-7 in 2002, Venables' first year after Lincoln Riley departed to become the coach at Southern California.

Last season, the Sooners went 10-3, including a victory over rival Texas, and lost to Arizona in the Alamo Bowl. Oklahoma was ranked as high as No. 6 in the AP Top 25.