Dabo Swinney releases statement on Brent Venables’ departure

CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson head football coach Dabo Swinney released a statement Monday afternoon on the departure of defensive coordinator Brent Venables.

Venables left the Tigers to take over as the head coach at Oklahoma, the school he spent 13 years at before joining Clemson in 2012.

Swinney’s statement reads as follows:

“I am super excited for Brent and Julie and the entire Venables family. Man, he’s not only been a great co-worker and defensive coordinator, but he’s been a great friend.

“I’m so excited for this opportunity for him. He’s been very patient. He’s had many opportunities along the way. This was just the right fit for him and the right time with a lot of familiarity for him at Oklahoma. I know he is well-prepared. It’s been fun for me to watch him really grow since 2012, and I’m excited for Oklahoma because they’re not only getting a good coach, they’re also getting a great man who is going to do it the right way.

“His hiring is a great compliment to our program and to all the great players that we’ve had. I’m going to miss him, but at the same time, I’m also excited about moving forward here and the great opportunity ahead. Today is a great day for Brent and his family and a great day for Oklahoma, and the entire Clemson Family and I are proud of — and thankful for — his 10 years here and the lives he impacted in the process.”

There has been no update yet on when Clemson is expected to name Venables replacement.