Ben Arbuckle Pregame vs. South Carolina | Carson Field, Sooners On SI
Oklahoma has fired offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle after the Sooners’ disappointing start to the season, with former NFL tight end Jason Witten expected to take over as interim coordinator and play caller.
The decision follows Oklahoma’s 42-25 loss to South Carolina on Saturday, which dropped the Sooners to 4-4. The offense has struggled throughout the season, averaging 22 points and 336.9 total yards per game, ranking 15th among the 16 Southeastern Conference teams in both categories.
Witten joined Oklahoma’s coaching staff as tight ends coach and is now expected to assume greater responsibility as head coach Brent Venables looks to address the team’s offensive problems.
Oklahoma Parts Ways With Arbuckle After Offensive Struggles
Arbuckle was in his second season as Oklahoma’s offensive coordinator after arriving from Washington State ahead of the 2025 campaign. He brought quarterback John Mateer with him to Norman, hoping to recreate the success they enjoyed together with the Cougars.
Washington State averaged 36.6 points per game during Arbuckle’s final season as offensive coordinator in 2024. His first Oklahoma offense also helped the Sooners finish 10-3 and reach the College Football Playoff last season, averaging 26.2 points per game.
However, Oklahoma has struggled to maintain that production this season. The Sooners have averaged just 22 points per game, while Mateer has experienced difficulties since transferring from Washington State.
Mateer initially generated Heisman Trophy attention but suffered a thumb injury that disrupted his first season in Norman. His struggles have continued, with the quarterback throwing 27 touchdown passes and 18 interceptions across his first 20 appearances for Oklahoma.
Arbuckle acknowledged his responsibility for the team’s poor performance following Saturday’s defeat.
“Didn’t look like we were ready to play,” Arbuckle said. “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.”
Jason Witten Expected to Take Over Play-Calling Duties
Witten is expected to become Oklahoma’s interim offensive coordinator after serving as the team’s tight ends coach. The former Dallas Cowboys standout joined Venables’ coaching staff in January following his time as head coach at Liberty Christian School in Texas.
His appointment gives Oklahoma a new voice in charge of an offense that has struggled to find consistency. Witten enjoyed a distinguished NFL career, earning 11 Pro Bowl selections and establishing himself as one of the league’s most productive tight ends.
The coaching change also marks the second time Venables has dismissed an offensive coordinator during the regular season. He previously fired Seth Littrell seven games into the 2024 campaign.
Venables expressed confidence that Oklahoma could correct its offensive problems following the loss to South Carolina, although he acknowledged the frustration surrounding the team’s performances.
“We’re a better team than what we played tonight,” Venables said.
Sooners Face Important Test Against Florida
Oklahoma now turns its attention to Saturday’s road matchup against No. 25 Florida as it attempts to recover from consecutive setbacks and improve its position in the SEC.
The Sooners entered the season with expectations of building on last year’s College Football Playoff appearance. However, their 4-4 record has left them facing a difficult path toward another postseason run.
The offense will need to show significant improvement under its new leadership, particularly with Mateer struggling to reproduce the form that made him one of college football’s most exciting quarterbacks at Washington State.
Witten’s immediate challenge will be finding a way to improve Oklahoma’s scoring production and help the team regain consistency during the final stretch of the season.
