Report: Oklahoma to Add Clemson's Todd Bates to Defensive Staff

Bates, a former defensive end at Alabama, has been one of college football's rising stars and reportedly will coach the Sooners' defensive line.

Brent Venables has landed his defensive line coach — and then some.

According to a report from Rivals network website TigerIllustrated.com, Venables will add Clemson defensive line coach Todd Bates to his Oklahoma staff.

Bates, 38, who’s also served as Clemson’s recruiting coordinator, joined Dabo Swinney’s staff at the end of the 2016 season and was named Rivals’ Recruiter of the Year in 2019, when he was identified as the key figure in Clemson’s 2020 recruiting class that ranked No. 1 according to ESPN, No. 2 per Rivals and No. 3 according to the 247 Sports composite rankings.

Bates also had the title of assistant head coach at Clemson.

Todd Bates

Clemson University Athletics

Bates has coached numerous NFL Draft picks, including Austin Bryant, Clelin Ferrell, Dexter Lawrence and Christian Wilkins.

Under Bates, Wilkins became just the fifth unanimous All-American in Clemson history. He also won the Outland, Nagurski, Bednarik and Lott trophies as well as the William V. Campbell Trophy — the “academic Heisman” in 2018.

Bates has been widely regarded as one of the top young defensive assistants in all of college football for his ability to find, recruit and develop elite talent.

Todd Bates

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Bates will also be Venables’ co-defensive coordinator, according to the report, where he’ll work alongside former Clemson assistant coach Ted Roof. Roof was named OU’s defensive coordinator last month, although it’s presumed that Venables will also maintain a heavy presence in the defensive game planning. 

Bates played defensive end at Alabama from 2001-04 and was a Crimson Tide captain and played two seasons in the NFL.

He was a sophomore and junior when Bama played Oklahoma in 2002 and 2003.

Bates coached previously at Jacksonville State and helped develop the Gamecocks into an FCS playoff team and conference champion. According to his Clemson bio, every primary starter he's coached at Jacksonville State and Clemson earned all-conference accolades.