Among the 20 highest paid college football coaches is Brent Venables.

The Oklahoma Sooners are in their second season under Brent Venables’ leadership. Venables had long served as an assistant coach for the Clemson Tigers, Oklahoma Sooners, and Kansas State Wildcats.

It wasn’t how he had hoped to start off as head man in Norman. The Sooners experienced their first losing season since 1998, finishing 6-7. The second year is off to a much better start.

As they enter the Red River Rivalry, the Sooners are 5-0. From being among the worst in the country, the defense is now among the best. Both their scoring and total defense rank them in the top three. That is the result of Venables’s and his coaching staff’s efforts.

Since this is Venables’ second season as head coach, it goes without saying that he is not among the top 10 highest-paid coaches, but in what category does he rank? On the list of the highest-paid coaches published by USA TODAY Sports, Venables is ranked No. 17 with an annual salary of $7.1 million.