- May 21, 2026
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SportsMafia Wire graphic. Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0. Team logos via ESPN.
Oklahoma has fired offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle after less than two seasons, sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel on Monday.
Tight ends coach Jason Witten is expected to take over as interim offensive coordinator and play caller. The Sooners fell to 4-4 following a 42-25 home loss to South Carolina on Saturday, ranking near the bottom of the SEC in yards per game and touchdowns scored.
Arbuckle arrived from Washington State, where he had been the youngest primary coordinator in the Power 4. His former quarterback, John Mateer, followed him to Norman. Mateer generated early Heisman buzz last season before a thumb injury derailed him; since then, he has thrown 21 touchdowns against 15 interceptions.
This marks the second in-season offensive coordinator firing by Brent Venables, who dismissed Seth Littrell seven games into the 2024 season.
After Saturday's loss, Arbuckle said the team came out "tentative" and "undisciplined." Venables expressed belief the offense can improve but admitted it "doesn't do a whole lot for everybody else."
Arbuckle was in year two of a three-year deal worth $1.5 million per season.
Mickey's Angle: Venables is running out of patience and coordinators. The Sooners' offense needs immediate repair with Witten calling plays, but bettors should wait to see actual improvement before trusting this unit against SEC competition.
Source: ESPN (also reported by CBS Sports) - written by Mickey the Mouth from the original report.