Clemson re-signs defensive coordinator Brent Venables

George Schroeder | USA TODAY Sports

Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables, who has been pursued in recent weeks by other schools, signed a four-year contract extension last month, before Clemson's appearance in the Russell Athletic Bowl, according to a person with direct knowledge of the deal.

Specific terms of the contract are unknown, but Venables received a raise, the person said. He was making $875,000 annually in his previous deal. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the school has not announced the extension.

Despite the extension, Venables has drawn interest, the person said, from LSU after the departure of defensive coordinator John Chavis to Texas A&M.

Clemson led the nation in total defense (260.8-yard average) in 2014 and ranked fourth in scoring defense (16.7-point average) and finished with a masterful performance in a 40-6 win Monday against Oklahoma in the Russell Athletic Bowl. Oklahoma finished with 275 yards, committed five turnovers and was 2-of-12 on third downs.

Venables, 44, just finished his third season at Clemson after 13 years at Oklahoma. He also was connected in recent news reports to defensive coordinator openings at Auburn and Texas A&M.

Several high-profile offensive and defensive coordinators now make more than $1 million annually. According to multiple news reports, Auburn will pay former Florida head coach Will Muschamp more than $1.6 million a year as defensive coordinator.