Brent Venables Confirms He's Leaving OU For Clemson

It's official. Brent Venables is leaving Oklahoma to be the defensive coordinator at Clemson University.

In a text message Wednesday night, Venables confirmed to News 9 Sports Director Dean Blevins that he accepted the Clemson coaching position.

Rumors circulated all afternoon and evening that he was back and forth on the deal.

01/18/12 Related Story: Venables Chaos Continues, Still No Official Decision

Venables visited Clemson last weekend. He takes over for Kevin Steele who left Clemson last week.

With Venables gone, Mike Stoops will be the sole person in charge of leading the Sooner defense.

Coach Venables has served at Oklahoma since 1999. He started as the co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach and then in 2004 he became an associate head coach and defensive coordinator also coaching the linebackers.

The Tigers were 81st nationally at more than 29 points a game this year. The capper came in the Orange Bowl when the Atlantic Coast Conference champions gave up a bowl record 70 points in losing to West Virginia.

A formal announcement of his hiring is expected Friday.