Alumnus Venturi was hired by Northwestern on December 1, 1977,[1][2] succeeding John Pont, who had announced relinquishing his coaching duties seventeen days prior on November 14 while remaining as the university's athletic director.
[5] Additionally, all but one of the black players on the football team had protested against the unequal treatment of African-American student athletes within the program.
[7] After leaving Northwestern, Venturi spent twelve years as an assistant with the Indianapolis Colts, beginning in 1982 when the team was still located in Baltimore.
[9] His late father, Joe Venturi, is a member of the Illinois High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame.
His brother, John is also a member of the Illinois High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame.