Clemson aide Venables hired as Oklahoma coach

Oklahoma hired Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables as coach.

The 50-year-old was with the Tigers since 2012, winning the Broyles Award in 2016 as the nation’s top assistant, and was the nation’s highest paid assistant with a $2.5 million annual salary. He was on Oklahoma’s staff from 1999 to 2011, serving as co-defensive coordinator from 1999 to 2003 and defensive coordinator from 2004 to 2011.

California: At Berkeley, Calif., linebacker Trey Paster scored on a 55-yard fumble return, and Christopher Brooks had TD runs of 1 and 2 yards to help the Golden Bears top Southern California 24-14 on Saturday. Cal (5-7, 4-5 Pac-12) was outgained 409-265 in yards of offense but beat the Trojans (48, 3-6) at home for the first time since 2003.

Louisiana-lafayette: Co-offensive coordinator Michael Desormeaux was promoted to coach, replacing

Billy Napier, who left for Florida. Desormeaux, 36, a former Ragin’ Cajuns quarterback, grew up in New Iberia, Louisiana.

Mississippi: Coach Lane Kiffin agreed to a new contract that will pay him an average of $7.5 million annually. The 46-year-old is 15-7 in two seasons, including 10-2 in 2021 — the program’s first 10-win regular season.

Akron: Oregon offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead was hired as coach. The 48-year-old, a Zips assistant from 2004 to 2008, went 14-12 in two seasons leading Mississippi State and was with the Ducks for two seasons.

Southern California: Raleek

Brown, the 2022 class’ No. 6 running back from Mater Dei High in California, decommitted from Oklahoma to join former Sooners coach Lincoln Riley with the Trojans.