Oklahoma 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 expected to step in as interim offensive player, according to Scoop earlier.
The Sooners fell South Carolina 42-25 Saturday. OklahomaThe 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 at Norman.
Arbuckle arrived at Oklahoma Since Washington State with the quarterback John Mateer. The duo helped Oklahoma reaching the College Football Playoff in their first season with the Sooners.
But in eight games this season, Mateer has thrown seven interceptions. The Sooners currently rank 108th in offense and 111th in total offense. Mateer’s struggles have been coupled with a running game averaging just 3.17 yards per carry, which ranks 128th in the nation.
Mateer has a completion percentage of 65.6%. In six games against power conference competition, Oklahoma is averaging 18.5 points per game.
“Nobody likes to turn the ball over three times, four times on offense,” Arbuckle said earlier this season. “Nobody likes to turn him over. It always comes back to basics and execution. Again, we have to continue to coach him. I have to continue to be better. I have to continue to be better for him, but at the same time, he understands his game. He understands what he’s supposed to look like and what he’s not supposed to look like. As long as we’re honest and truthful and we attack that, his confidence will continue to increase.”
It is the second offensive coordinator who Brent Venables shot. THE Oklahoma head coach fired Seth Littrell mid-season in 2024. The Sooners have four games remaining this season, starting with a trip to Gainesville, Fla., on Saturday.
“I have decided to make a change at the offensive coordinator position,” Venables said in a statement Monday afternoon. “My responsibility is to the whole team and to what I believe is best for us at this time. We need a change.
“I believe we still have significant opportunities ahead of us and it is our responsibility to maximize them. Our expectations remain high and our commitment to meeting them is unwavering.”
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