NORMAN — University of Oklahoma head football coach Brent Venables announced Monday that offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle was fired from his position and the tight ends coach Jason Witten will assume this role on an interim basis.
Hired by Oklahoma in January, Witten transformed the Sooners’ tight end room this season. After OU’s tight ends recorded one receiving touchdown during the 2025 campaign, this year’s group has already combined for five touchdowns in eight games (four by Rocky beers and one by Hayden Hansen). Beers ranks first in the SEC and fifth nationally among tight ends with his 55.8 receiving yards per game. He also leads SEC tight ends with four touchdowns.
Witten played 17 decorated seasons as an NFL tight end (11-time Pro-Bowler) before serving the last five years as head coach at Liberty Christian School in Argyle, Texas. Witten, who coached his 2023 and ’24 Warriors teams to the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools state championships, finished his NFL career with 1,228 receptions (fourth in league history) for 13,046 yards and 74 touchdowns. He was a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2026.
The Sooners (4-4 overall, 2-3 SEC) play at No. 25 Florida (5-3, 3-3) Saturday at 6:45 p.m. CT. The game will be televised by SEC Network.
STATEMENT FROM YOUR HEAD FOOTBALL COACH BRENT VENABLES:
“I have decided to make a change at the offensive coordinator position. My responsibility is to the entire team and 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.
“I want to thank Ben and everything he has given us over the last two years. He is a fantastic coach, leader and teammate, and a great man. It didn’t work out the way we all wanted, but I deeply appreciate the investment, love and passion he has put into our program. We wish his family the best.
“Coach Witten will serve as offensive coordinator and play-caller for the remainder of the season. Beginning today, he will lead our offensive team in preparing a clear, focused plan that will give our players the best opportunity to execute with confidence.
“My confidence in the men in our locker room remains strong. Our responsibility as coaches is to translate that confidence into preparation and performance. They deserve our best leadership. That starts with me.”
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