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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.

World Champion Fighting Bull found dead
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World Champion Fighting Bull found dead
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
January 15, 2026
A legendary, world-champion freestyle fighting bull named “Hugh Hefner” from Penthouse Fighting Bulls, was tragically shot and killed in Oklahoma. Hugh was known as a dominant, blackcoated bull feared...
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Eufaula Ironheads crowned Warner Eagles Cherokee Classic Champions
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Eufaula Ironheads crowned Warner Eagles Cherokee Classic Champions
By Rodney Haltom sports EDITOR 
January 15, 2026
The No. 8 Eufaula Ironheads (11-2) were crowned Warner Eagles Cherokee Classic Champions Saturday after dismantling the No. 3 Okay Mustangs 60-47. Eufaula continues to be a fun team to watch. They’re ...
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Muscogee Nation files lawsuit against state of Oklahoma over hunting, fishing license for tribal members
By Rodney Haltom sports EDITOR 
January 15, 2026
The Muscogee Nation is suing the State of Oklahoma over whether tribal members need a state license to hunt or fish on land within the Five Tribes’ reservations. The Okmulgee-based tribe has filed a c...
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Area schools have room for improvement
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Area schools have room for improvement
By LYNN ADAMS SPECIAL TO THE EUFAULA INDIAN JOURNAL 
January 15, 2026
The day report cards come out at school is often rife with anxiety for students. Did I do as well as I think I did? In areas with room for improvement, did I succeed? Students aren’t the only ones who...
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ANNUAL DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. EVENTS
January 15, 2026
CELEBRATION – Jan. 18 The Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration will be held on Sunday, January 18, 2026 at 3 p.m., Mt. Olive Star Baptist Church, located at 413665 E. 1080 Rd., Checotah;...
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Checotah Masonic Lodge #86 Pork Loin Dinner Fundraiser
January 15, 2026
To support the Checotah 4H and FFA Booster Club Sunday, January 18 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. $12 donation per plate 625 W. Gentry Ave. Checotah, OK
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Editor Picks
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Don’t miss the 2026 Annual Women’s Conference January 16-17
January 15, 2026
Friday Conference: 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Saturday Breakfast: 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Conference: 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Ages 13 and up Checotah First Free Will Baptist Church 713 N. Broadway St., Checota...
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Eufaula Chamber of Commerce welcomes Tim Turner as new executive director
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Eufaula Chamber of Commerce welcomes Tim Turner as new executive director
January 15, 2026
SHAUNA BELYEU GENERAL MANAGER The Eufaula Area Chamber of Commerce has welcomed Tim Turner as its new executive director, a role he officially assumed on Jan. 1. “Tim brings fresh perspective and ener...
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Plans for 18th Annual Chili Cook-Off underway
January 15, 2026
It’s time to pull out those famous family chili recipes and see if you have what it takes to win this year’s 18th Annual Chili Cook-Off set for Saturday, Feb. 28 at the Checotah Community Center. The ...
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Senseless killings still seen by a sovereign God
Opinion
Senseless killings still seen by a sovereign God
January 15, 2026
Every day I turn on the news I hear of more senseless killings. Headlines read “A senseless act” when a 15-year-old shoots and kills an Uber driver on New Year’s Day. One was working a holiday to make...
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Opinion
Lankford, Cornyn, and Colleagues introduce Stop Illegal Aliens Drunk Driving Act
January 15, 2026
WASH INGTON, DC — US Senators James Lankford (R-OK), John Cornyn (R-TX), and colleagues today introduced the Stop Illegal Aliens Drunk Driving Act, which would strengthen current immigration laws to e...
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