Oklahoma Dismisses Offensive Coordinator Arbuckle

Oklahoma has dismissed offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle after less than two seasons. Tight ends coach Jason Witten is expected to serve as the interim offensive coordinator and handle play-calling duties. The move comes after the Sooners fell to a 4-4 record following a 42-25 home loss to South Carolina.

The team ranks near the bottom of the SEC in yards per game and touchdowns scored. Arbuckle arrived in Norman following two seasons at Washington State, where he became the youngest primary coordinator in the Power 4 at age 27. Quarterback John Mateer, who played for Arbuckle with the Cougars, transferred to Oklahoma the same month the coordinator was hired.

Mateer threw 21 touchdowns against 15 interceptions after returning from a thumb injury. Head coach Brent Venables has now fired his offensive coordinator twice during a season, having dismissed Seth Littrell seven games into the 2024 campaign. Arbuckle was in the second year of a three-year contract worth $1.5 million annually.