ESPN College Football

Oklahoma defensive coordinator Brent Venables interviewed for the Clemson head-coaching job Tuesday night in Oklahoma, sources said.

Initially, it was believed that Clemson officials flew to Oklahoma City to meet with Sooners offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson, who had played at North Carolina and would appear to have more ties to the Atlantic Coast Conference.

However, sources said that Clemson athletic director Terry Don Phillips met with the 37-year-old Venables sometime Tuesday evening.

"They have a job to do, I have a job to do," Clemson interim coach Dabo Swinney, who replaced Tommy Bowden last month, said Wednesday. "My job is to get this team ready to play Duke this weekend and try to go get some wins and take advantage of the opportunity I have to lead this program right now.

"That's really my only concern and the only thing I can control. All those other things are things that are out of my control, so I don't worry about that stuff at all."

Venables declined comment Wednesday morning, citing Oklahoma's long-standing policy not to discuss job-related matters.

The fifth-ranked Sooners (9-1), who are off this week, play host to No. 2 Texas Tech (10-0) on Nov. 22. A win for Tech would likely clinch the Big 12 South title.

Even though the Sooners' defense has struggled this season -- OU is ranked 51st in the FBS in total defense and tied for 56th in scoring defense -- Venables has been considered a rising star in the business the past few years. Those who have worked with him say the Kansas native is sharp, energetic and charismatic and known as an excellent recruiter with a keen eye for talent.

In 2006, Venables was a finalist for the Broyles Award as the nation's top assistant coach. He came to Norman in 1999 and was named a co-defensive coordinator at 28. In 2004, he was promoted to associate head coach.

Venables was a linebacker at Kansas State and named honorable mention all-Big Eight in 1992. With his alma mater having a coaching vacancy of its own, the Salina, Kan., native is thought to be a candidate for that job as well.

Bruce Feldman covers college football for ESPN The Magazine and ESPN.com. Heather Dinich, who covers the ACC for ESPN.com, contributed to this report.