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Venables receives raise and new six-year contract
Sports
June 27, 2024
Venables receives raise and new six-year contract
By Rodney Haltom sports EDITOR

Oklahoma’s Board of Regents on Friday, approved a contract extension and raise for head football coach Brent Venables ahead of his third year as Sooners coach. Venables received a new six-year deal worth $51.6 million that will keep him at OU through the 2029 season. He will earn an average of $8.6 million annually for the duration of the contract, including a salary of $8.15 million in 2024 ($7,225,000 this year, plus an annual base salary of $325,000 and an annual installment of $600,000 that goes toward retirement).

Venables was originally hired as Oklahoma’s coach in December 2021, when he was signed to a six-year, $43.5 million deal to take over the program following Lincoln Riley’s departure for USC. Venables earned $7 million in his first season at OU, and that salary increased to $7.1 million last season, when he was the 17th-highest paid head coach in college football.

Running backs coach DeMarco Murray and defensive ends coach Miiguel Chavis also received a bump in pay. Murray’s new deal runs through Jan. 31, 2027, and while he will maintain a base salary of $285,000, his total compensation over the duration of his contract will increase considerably, to $2,525,000 through the end of his deal.

Murray will earn $800,000 for the upcoming season, which will be Oklahoma’s first in the SEC. That’s a singleseason raise of $225,000 from the $575,000 in total compensation that was originally approved in January. Murray’s outside income, on top of the $285,000 base salary, will increase from $290,000 for the upcoming season to $515,000. Murray’s outside income will increase to $565,000 in 2025, bringing his total compensation for that year to $850,000. The final year of his deal is worth $875,000 in total compensation, with his outside income growing to $590,000.

Chavis’ new contract runs through Jan. 31, 2027, with a base salary of $285,000. His total compensation over the next three seasons comes to $2.17 million. He will earn $690,000 in total compensation this season, with $405,000 of that coming from outside income. That’s a $40,000 increase from the previously approved raise he received in January.

Chavis’ total compensation will increase to $740,000 on Feb. 1, 2025, and remain there through the end of his contract. In addition to the $285,000 base salary, he will receive $455,000 in outside income in each the 2025 and 2026 seasons.

Goodbye to Gary Lee Nichols
A: Main, News...
Goodbye to Gary Lee Nichols
By SHAUNA BELYEU GENERAL MANAGER 
March 12, 2026
There are men who build businesses. And there are men who build communities. Gary Lee Nichols did both. For more than five decades, Gary wasn’t just the owner of grocery stores; he was a steady presen...
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Banning comments after tornado hits Beggs
March 12, 2026
OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Chris Banning, RBixby, released the following statement after tornadoes hit northeast Oklahoma Friday night: “The severe weather that moved through Oklahoma this weekend resulted ...
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Communities built through faith and determination
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Communities built through faith and determination
By STAFF WRITER 
March 12, 2026
On a cool Saturday morning, Feb. 28, in the closing days of Black History Month, the steeple of Mt. Olive Star Baptist Church in Checotah rose above a quiet gathering devoted to remembrance, faith and...
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5th Annual Green Run is March 14
March 12, 2026
The 5th Annual Green Run returns this Saturday at the Lake Eufaula Pavilion. This lively St. Patrick’s–themed event features a USATF-sanctioned 5K and a Fun Run, welcoming runners, walkers, families, ...
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Former OSBI investigator sentenced for multiple counts of sexual abuse of a minor
March 12, 2026
MUSKOGEE – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Jordan Francis Toyne, age 37, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 109 months in prison for ea...
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An All American 18th Annual Chili Cook-Off success
A: Main, News...
An All American 18th Annual Chili Cook-Off success
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
March 12, 2026
The 18th Annual Checotah Chili Cook-Off hosted by the Heartland Heritage Museum & Gallery was a culinary showdown of steaming hot chili along with American patriotism for fun-filled evening of food an...
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Deadline to change party affiliation approaches
March 12, 2026
Oklahomans who want to change their party affiliation must submit their change no later than March 31, McIntosh County Election Board Secretary Kim Limbaugh said today. Voters may change their party a...
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News
Checotah Livestock aids tornado victims
March 12, 2026
Checotah Livestock Market announced they will be helping aid recent tornado victims in Beggs. “Our community has always stepped up when neighbors are hurting,” a Checotah Livestock spokeman said. “In ...
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Oversight work and deadlines
commentary
Oversight work and deadlines
By REPRESENTATIVE NEIL HAYS (405) 557-7302 
March 12, 2026
This week has been especially active at the Capitol as oversight c ommit tees work through one of the most imp ortant stages of the legislative session. At this point in the process, all remaining Hou...
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The ‘prose’ and cons of paragraphs
commentary, Opinion...
The ‘prose’ and cons of paragraphs
March 12, 2026
I miss the days of true creative writing – you know, when you could write a real paragraph and your readers could keep up with the story. You didn’t have to throw in a bunch of pictures or short and s...
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News
C.A.R.D. Senior Nutrition menu
March 12, 2026
March 16 - March 20 611 N. Broadway, Checotah Please call 918-237-1118 for meal reservations by 12 p.m. the day before services. Monday, March 16: Cheeseburger w/ toppings; potato; veggie salad; cake;...
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