NORMAN — Oklahoma is trying to make its coordinator jobs among the best in the country.
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At least financially.
Defensive coordinator Brent Venables and offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson both received 18 percent raises for 2008, according to their salary figures obtained by The Oklahoman through the Oklahoma Open Records Act.
Venables — who has coached at OU since 1999 — will make $315,000 in 2008, up from the $265,000 he made in 2007.
Wilson — OU's offensive coordinator for the last two seasons — will earn $260,000 in 2008, an increase from the $220,000 he made in 2007.
Both Venables and Wilson have surfaced as candidates to become head coaches at other schools over the past couple of years.
But OU athletic director Joe Castiglione insists that their raises weren't an attempt to keep them from becoming head coaches.
Instead, he hopes the financial package OU offers deters them from taking coordinator positions at other schools.
"Our competition isn't keeping a coach from taking a head coaching job,” Castiglione said. "It's making this the best possible place to be a coordinator or an assistant coach.
"If you look at anyone who's ever left here, they've gone on to become a head coach or have gone to the NFL.”
Outside of Venables and Wilson, defensive backs coach and co-defensive coordinator Bobby Jack Wright — who has been at OU since 1999 — will earn the most at $225,000.
After Venables and Wilson, quarterbacks coach Josh Heupel received the staff's biggest percentage raise.
Heupel's 13.3 percent bump increases his yearly salary by $16,000 up to $136,000.
In 2006, Heupel helped converted wideout Paul Thompson lead the Sooners to a Big 12 championship.
In 2007, Heupel mentored freshman Sam Bradford, who finished his first season leading the nation in passing efficiency.
Heupel, who is the youngest OU football coach by six years, however, still remains the lowest paid member of the staff.
He, defensive ends coach and special teams coordinator Chris Wilson ($168,000) and offensive line coach James Patton ($197,000) will be the only three Sooner assistants who will make less than $200,000 in guaranteed salary in 2008.
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Perspective, people. Venables is doing a great job. LSU won the Nat'l title and gave up a lot of yards and points to the Kentucky, Arkansas, etc. of the SEC. Most of which would be rolled by WVU. Big XII title game was an awesome defensive perf. Offenses are wide open and just better, overall, now than even 2000. However, should they become more physical in the DBackfield? absolutely.
We have super coaches and these assistants deserve good pay. They have won the Big 12 year in and year out! It's still OU - Texas in the driver's seat.
Heupel is the lowest paid assistant and he's doing the best job, go figure...plus he's bringing home $10K a month so can you really call it the "lowest" paid?
Howdy neighbor Mike (Yukon). If the coaches really ARE doing their job then it would be manifested on the field. Consistent player performance is a result of talent, coaching and practice. I know that a lot of fans are disappointed with OU not playing well in the BCS games. As well as OU played against Missouri, they should not have been embarrassed by West Virginia.
I disagree fellas. Although I am not like Venables style of Defense or the Defensive consistency or with the Defensive backs. You have to admit they are doing the job in the coaching department. The players have to perform on a consistent basis. Yes coaches have a big part in making that happen. OU has not had a dominant NATIONAL Defense since 2000 and maybe the 2003 season. Every year since then they have performed well or above average in the Big 12 only to lose a BCS game against and equally talented or even more talented team. Both are quality assistant coaches. Can they do a better job? You bet, but their teams performance in in the books. Big 12 Championships and trips to BCS bowl games every year. This I may ad is done almost year to year. Pretty consistent to me. I wouldn't be so quick to pull the trigger on a couple guys who do an exceptional job 90% of the time. Remember, it's the players who ultimatelyhave to play the game. The coaches prepare them for it and so far for the most part they have accomplished that job.
Vennables is a joke. His defensive schemes do not make any sense. Just look at the bowl game. He was bringing pressure up the middle and had no edge player. That is how WV was able to make yards, running to the outside. If OU wants to be better on defenese get rid of Vennables and hire a real Defensive Coach that is scheme sound!
I am stunned. Venables gets a big raise after his defense performs erratically throughout the year. Bobby Jack Wright makes $225,000 - and his defensive backs can't cover OR tackle! The rising star of the coaching staff - Josh Heupel - is the lowest paid member of the group, yet has done an amazing job with Paul Thompson and Sam Bradford. Ridiculous!
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