Oklahoma fires offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle

Oklahoma has fired offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle after a 4-4 start to the 2026 season and struggles at quarterback, sources tell On3. Tight ends coach Jason Witten is expected to step in as interim offensive playcaller, according to Sooner Scoop. The Sooners fell to South Carolina 42-25 on Saturday. Oklahoma‘s offense ranks last in the SEC in yards per game (321.25) and second-to-last in points per game (22). Arbuckle was only in his second season in Norman. Arbuckle arrived at Oklahoma from Washington State with quarterback John Mateer. The duo helped Oklahoma reach the College Football Playoff in their first season together with the Sooners. But in eight games this season, Mateer has thrown four interceptions and fumbled twice. He turned the ball over three times in Saturday’s loss. In three games against FBS competition, the Sooners are averaging 12.3 points per game. Mateer’s struggles have been coupled with a running game averaging just 2.93 yards per carry. “Nobody likes turning the ball over three times, four times as an offense,” Arbuckle said earlier this sea. “Nobody likes turning it over. It always just comes back down to the basics and execution. Again, we have to continue coaching it. I have to continue being better. I have to continue being better for him, but at the same time, he understands his play. He understands what it’s supposed to look like and what it’s not supposed to look like. As long as we’re honest and truthful and attack that, his confidence will continue to go up.” This is the second offensive coordinator that Brent Venables has fired. The Oklahoma head coach fired Seth Littrell midseason in 2024. The Sooners still have four games remaining this season, starting with a trip to Gainesville, Florida, on Saturday.