Ben Arbuckle Is Out at Oklahoma: Venables Fires His Offensive Coordinator and Hands the Play Sheet to Jason Witten
'Ben Arbuckle' is the No. 7 search in America on Monday because Oklahoma made it official: the Sooners fired their second-year offensive coordinator two days after a 42-25 home loss to South Carolina, and former Cowboys tight end Jason Witten takes over play-calling for the rest of the season. The Sooners' offense ranked 108th in scoring and 111th in total yards.
HOUSTON - Oklahoma's offensive rebuild started over on Monday. Head coach Brent Venables fired offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle, the university confirmed, two days after the Sooners' 42-25 home loss to South Carolina - the same opponent whose game cost the previous coordinator, Seth Littrell, his job in 2024, Sooners on SI reported. CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz first reported the move.
The numbers explain the patience running out. Through October, Oklahoma ranked No. 108 in the nation in scoring offense at 22 points a game and No. 111 in total offense at 336.9 yards a game, USA TODAY reported. The Sooners scored 13 or fewer points in losses to Michigan, Georgia and Kentucky, and their only outing above 25 points against a Power Four opponent in their last 12 games was the 27-24 upset of Texas in Dallas. Oklahoma sits 4-4 overall and 2-3 in the SEC, still chasing bowl eligibility. Arbuckle, 31, had arrived from Washington State with quarterback John Mateer after the 2024 season; his three-year deal, averaging $1.5 million a year through January 2028, leaves roughly $1.875 million owed, reduced by whatever he earns at his next job.
The replacement is a name Texas knows. Tight ends coach Jason Witten - the former Dallas Cowboys star - will serve as offensive coordinator and play-caller for the remainder of the season, Venables announced. 'I want to thank Ben and all he contributed to us over the last two years,' Venables said in the announcement reported by Sports Illustrated. 'He is a fantastic coach, leader and teammate, and a great man. Coach Witten will serve as offensive coordinator and play-caller for the remainder of the season.'
Venables will now search for his fourth permanent offensive coordinator. Witten's first test comes with the Sooners' final four games - and, for Houston's many Texas and Oklahoma alumni, with the Red River form line running straight through it: the offense that beat Texas in October is the one that got its coordinator fired in November.
