Oklahoma to Fire Ben Arbuckle After Offensive Struggles
Oklahoma is expected to fire offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle, sources confirmed to CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz on Monday. The move comes two days after the Sooners suffered a 42-25 home loss to South Carolina, a game in which Oklahoma managed just three first-half points on offense.
Arbuckle, 31, was hired by head coach Brent Venables in 2024 after a successful stint at Washington State, where he helped lead one of the nation’s most explosive offenses. He brought starting quarterback John Mateer with him from the transfer portal, but the partnership failed to produce consistent results in Norman. After an inconsistent first season marred by a hand injury to Mateer, Oklahoma’s offense has regressed sharply in Year 2.
The Sooners currently rank No. 15 in the SEC in both total and scoring offense, despite getting multiple scores from their defense and special teams. The loss to South Carolina dropped Oklahoma to 4-4 overall and 2-3 in conference play, effectively ending any hopes of a College Football Playoff berth.
Venables’ Statement and Staff Changes
Following the loss, Venables was blunt in his assessment. “Incredibly pissed at myself and for all of us,” he said. “Just embarrassing. It’s embarrassing in every way.” When asked about potential staff changes, Venables declined to comment, saying, “Yeah, I’m not talking about anything like that.”
The firing continues a revolving door of offensive staff changes under Venables. He fired Seth Littrell after seven games into the 2024 season and also dismissed multiple assistant coaches after the 2025 campaign. Oklahoma’s offensive production has fallen off dramatically since Jeff Lebby left for Mississippi State.
Context: A Program in Decline
The stakes for Oklahoma are significant. The Sooners are careening toward their third losing season in five years under Venables and are at serious risk of missing a bowl game for the first time since John Blake’s final season in 1998. With No. 12 Ole Miss, No. 19 Missouri, and No. 25 Florida remaining on the schedule, a turnaround seems unlikely.
Arbuckle’s firing also raises questions about Venables’ job security. The head coach has posted two losing seasons in his first four years, and a third would put his status in serious jeopardy. The Sooners’ offense has been the primary culprit, and Arbuckle’s inability to develop Mateer or adjust his scheme has drawn heavy criticism from fans and analysts alike.
During Saturday’s loss, frustration boiled over in the stands. Fans chanted “Fire Arbuckle” before halftime and later directed their ire at Mateer, chanting “We Want Whitt” in reference to backup quarterback Whitt Newbauer. Despite the calls for change, Arbuckle and Venables stuck with Mateer, who finished 26 of 43 for 244 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions—most of which came in garbage time against a softened South Carolina defense.
Perspective: What This Means for Oklahoma’s Future
Arbuckle’s dismissal is the latest sign that Oklahoma’s transition to the SEC has been rockier than anticipated. The program that once dominated the Big 12 is now struggling to keep pace in a conference known for its defensive prowess. The revolving door at offensive coordinator has hindered continuity and recruiting, and the Sooners’ inability to develop a consistent offense has become a glaring liability.
For Venables, the decision to fire Arbuckle is a necessary but painful admission that his offensive vision has not worked. It also puts him on the hot seat. Athletic director Joe Castiglione has publicly supported Venables, but patience is wearing thin in Norman. The Sooners’ next offensive coordinator will inherit a talented roster but also immense pressure to produce immediate results.
As Oklahoma prepares for its final four games, the focus will shift to who replaces Arbuckle and whether Venables can right the ship before it’s too late. For now, the Sooners are left searching for answers—and hoping that a fresh voice can revive an offense that has become the program’s biggest liability.
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