Oklahoma Fires Ben Arbuckle, Jason Witten Takes Over

Oklahoma has fired offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle after less than two seasons, with tight ends coach Jason Witten expected to take over as the Sooners’ interim offensive coordinator and play caller, according to sources who spoke to ESPN’s Pete Thamel on Monday. The decision comes after Oklahoma suffered a 42-25 home defeat against South Carolina, dropping its record to 4-4 and raising further concerns about the team’s offensive struggles.

The coaching change represents another major decision for head coach Brent Venables, who has now dismissed an offensive coordinator during the season twice since taking charge of the Sooners. Oklahoma’s offence has struggled to produce consistently, ranking next to last in the SEC in both yards per game and touchdowns scored.

Witten is expected to assume responsibility for directing the offence as Oklahoma attempts to turn around its season. His appointment comes at a challenging moment, with the Sooners preparing for a road game against No. 25 Florida on Saturday.

Oklahoma Fires Ben Arbuckle After Offensive Struggles

Arbuckle’s departure follows a disappointing start to the season for Oklahoma. The Sooners fell to 4-4 after their 42-25 loss to South Carolina on Saturday, a result that highlighted the team’s continuing difficulties on the offensive side of the ball.

Oklahoma’s statistical position in the SEC has been particularly concerning. The team ranks next to last in the conference in yards per game and touchdowns scored, indicating problems with both moving the ball consistently and finishing offensive possessions.

The decision to remove Arbuckle reflects the urgency surrounding the programme’s current situation. With the season moving forward and important conference and postseason implications still ahead, Venables has opted for a change in leadership rather than continuing with the existing offensive structure.

According to sources, Arbuckle was dismissed on Monday after spending less than two seasons with the Sooners. He was in the second year of a three-year contract that paid him $1.5 million annually.

Jason Witten Expected to Become Interim Offensive Coordinator

Tight ends coach Jason Witten is expected to take over as Oklahoma’s interim offensive coordinator and play caller, according to sources. The move places significant responsibility on Witten as the Sooners look for a fresh direction following their disappointing performance against South Carolina.

His expected appointment means he will be tasked with helping improve an offence that has struggled to produce points and consistent yardage. Taking over play-calling duties during the middle of a season can be challenging, particularly when a team is attempting to address problems across multiple areas of its offensive game.

Witten’s immediate priority will be to prepare the Sooners for their upcoming matchup against Florida. Oklahoma will need a more organised and productive performance if it hopes to respond positively to the coaching change.

The decision also gives Venables an opportunity to assess how the offence performs under a different play caller. Whether Witten’s interim role becomes a longer-term arrangement will depend on the team’s progress and the programme’s subsequent decisions.

Ben Arbuckle’s Arrival at Oklahoma Followed Success at Washington State

Arbuckle arrived in Norman after two successful seasons at Washington State, where he established a reputation as one of the younger offensive coordinators in major College Football. At the time, aged 27, he was the youngest primary coordinator in the Power 4 conferences.

His work with the Cougars helped attract attention, and his move to Oklahoma brought expectations that he could help develop a productive offensive system. Quarterback John Mateer followed him to Norman, transferring to Oklahoma during the same month Arbuckle was hired.

The connection between the two was an important part of the transition. Mateer had previously played under Arbuckle at Washington State, giving Oklahoma a quarterback and coordinator who were already familiar with each other’s approach.

However, the results in Norman have not matched the expectations created by their earlier success. The Sooners’ offensive struggles have become increasingly difficult to ignore, and Arbuckle’s departure leaves questions about the direction of the team’s offence for the remainder of the season.

John Mateer’s Injury and Quarterback Performance Add to Oklahoma’s Problems

John Mateer generated significant attention early last season when he emerged as a potential Heisman Trophy candidate. His performances created optimism around his development, but a thumb injury interrupted his campaign and continued to affect his play.

Since the injury, Mateer has thrown 21 touchdown passes and 15 interceptions. Those numbers highlight the challenges he has faced in maintaining the level of performance that initially brought him into the Heisman conversation.

Mateer’s situation has been an important part of the wider discussion surrounding Oklahoma’s offence. The quarterback’s production, the team’s inability to generate consistent yardage and the low touchdown ranking have all contributed to the pressure on the offensive coaching staff.

Arbuckle’s departure also raises questions about how the Sooners will approach the quarterback position under a new play caller. Witten will have to work with the existing offensive personnel and find ways to improve execution as the team prepares for the final stretch of its schedule.

Arbuckle Criticised Oklahoma’s Performance After South Carolina Defeat

Following Saturday’s loss to South Carolina, Arbuckle expressed frustration with the way Oklahoma approached the game. The offensive coordinator described the team’s performance as tentative and undisciplined across several areas.

“Didn’t look like we were ready to play,” Arbuckle said.

He also accepted responsibility for the team’s lack of preparation and execution, acknowledging that ensuring the players were ready for kickoff was part of his job.

“And I own that 100%. It’s my job to have these guys, by the time that ball is kicking off, they’re ready to roll, they’re ready to play. And we weren’t that tonight.”

Those comments came after a defeat in which Oklahoma conceded 42 points at home. The loss further exposed the problems affecting the Sooners and increased scrutiny of the offensive coaching staff.

Arbuckle’s remarks also reflected the disappointment within the programme after another difficult performance. His acceptance of responsibility did not prevent the subsequent coaching change, with Oklahoma deciding to move in a different direction on Monday.

Brent Venables Defends Oklahoma’s Potential After Heavy Loss

Head coach Brent Venables acknowledged the frustration surrounding the team’s performance but maintained that he believed the offence could be fixed. Speaking after the defeat, he recognised that his assessment might not be shared by everyone connected with the programme.

“Doesn’t do a whole lot for everybody else,” Venables said, while acknowledging that it was “very reasonable to think the exact opposite of what I’m saying.”

Despite the criticism and disappointment, Venables insisted that the team would return to work and attempt to improve.

“But we’ll go right back to work,” Venables said. “We’re a better team than what we played tonight.”

The decision to fire Arbuckle shows that Venables was nevertheless prepared to make a significant change after the loss. It is also the second time he has dismissed an offensive coordinator during the season since becoming Oklahoma’s head coach.

Venables Has Now Fired Two Offensive Coordinators In-Season

Arbuckle’s dismissal is not the first midseason offensive coaching change under Venables. In 2024, he fired Seth Littrell seven games into the season after Oklahoma experienced offensive difficulties.

The latest decision means Venables has now made two in-season changes at offensive coordinator. Both moves underline the pressure on the coaching staff to deliver consistent offensive performances and keep the programme competitive.

Repeated changes can create challenges for players, particularly when they have to adjust to different play callers and offensive approaches during an ongoing season. Oklahoma will now need to manage another transition while attempting to improve its results.

Witten’s expected appointment gives the Sooners an immediate replacement, but the wider questions surrounding the offence remain. The team must find greater consistency in moving the ball, scoring touchdowns and avoiding costly mistakes.

Oklahoma Faces No. 25 Florida After Coaching Shake-Up

Oklahoma’s next challenge will come on Saturday when the Sooners travel to face No. 25 Florida. The matchup will provide Witten with an immediate opportunity to begin his expected interim role and demonstrate whether a change in play calling can produce an improvement.

The timing leaves little room for a lengthy adjustment period. Witten and the offensive staff will need to prepare the players quickly, identify the areas that require attention and establish a clear approach for the Florida game.

Oklahoma enters the matchup with a 4-4 record and considerable pressure following its home defeat to South Carolina. A stronger performance could help restore some confidence, while another offensive setback would intensify questions about the programme’s direction.

What Ben Arbuckle’s Firing Means for Oklahoma

Oklahoma’s decision to part ways with Arbuckle marks a significant change in the middle of a difficult season. The former Washington State coordinator arrived with a strong reputation and a familiar quarterback in Mateer, but the Sooners have struggled to translate those connections into consistent offensive production.

Witten is now expected to take charge as interim offensive coordinator and play caller, giving the programme a new voice as it prepares for Florida. His immediate challenge will be to improve an offence that ranks near the bottom of the SEC in yards per game and touchdowns.

For Venables, the move represents another attempt to address offensive problems through an in-season coaching change. The results of the decision will begin to become clearer in the coming weeks, starting with Saturday’s road matchup against the ranked Gators.

The Sooners still have an opportunity to improve their season, but the coaching transition adds another layer of uncertainty. How quickly Witten can establish his approach and get more production from Mateer and the rest of the offence will be central to Oklahoma’s efforts to recover from its disappointing start.