Clemson extends contract for Brent Venables

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Fri Apr 26 10:27:15 GMT-04:00 2019

CLEMSON – The Clemson University Board of Trustees Compensation Committee approved a contract extension for defensive coordinator Brent Venables early Friday, adding one more year on his deal for $2.2 million.

Venables made $2.2 million last season, second behind LSU defensive coordinator Dave Aranda, who made $2.5 million. Venables signed a five-year extension last July that called for $11.6 million over those five years.

Three Clemson defensive players were selected in the top 17 picks of Thursday’s NFL Draft, the first time that three defensive linemen from the same school were picked in the first round.

Venables has been Clemson's defensive coordinator since 2012. His 2012 defense held opponents to just 34.0 percent on third down, 24th-best in the nation His 2014 defense led the nation in total defense (260.8), pass efficiency defense (98.3), first downs allowed (185), third-down conversion percentage defense (27.4) and tackles for loss (131).

His 2013 unit led the nation in tackles for loss (122). He was a finalist for the Broyles award in both 2006 (Oklahoma) and 2015 and won the award for the nation's top assistant in 2016. His 2016 group amassed 130 tackles for loss and a then-school-record 49 sacks. His teams led the NCAA in tackles for loss four seasons in a row from 2013-16.

In his 23 years as a full-time assistant coach, his teams have 23 winning seasons, have been to 27 bowl games and have won 10+ games 19 times.

He has coached in six national championship games, helping Clemson to three berths and two titles.

His 2018 defense produced five first- or second-team All-Americans, including two consensus selections (Clelin Ferrell and Christian Wilkins). Ferrell also won the Ted Hendricks Award as the nation’s top defensive end and Wilkins won the Campbell Trophy, known colloquially as the “Academic Heisman.” Linebacker Tre Lamar was a finalist for the Butkus Award. Unit set a school record with 54 sacks in 2018, the third-most by any FBS team in a season since 2000. Ranked fourth in rushing defense (96.3 yards per game), fifth in total defense (285.9 yards per game) in 2018. Led the country in scoring defense (13.1 points per game) for the first time in school history.