Venables to lead Clemson's defense

Published Jan. 18, 2012 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Clemson has landed Oklahoma's Brent Venables to take over the Tigers defense.

Tigers coach Dabo Swinney texted The Associated Press with the news Wednesday night, ''BV to Clemson.''

Venables will take over for Kevin Steele, who left Clemson last week with Swinney saying the two had philosophical differences. Venables visited Clemson last weekend. There were no details when Venables would arrive on campus to start working.

Venables had served as the Sooners' defensive coordinator since 1999 and helped Oklahoma win a national championship in 2000.

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.