Oklahoma has cut ties with offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle following an underwhelming campaign, leaving the university with a significant financial obligation totaling approximately $1.875 million through January 2028.
A Familiar Mid-Season Shake-Up in Norman
Head coach Brent Venables made the decision to part ways with his second-year offensive coordinator after the Sooners suffered a 42-25 defeat against South Carolina on Saturday, October 31. This marks another instance of Venables letting go of an offensive coordinator partway through an Oklahoma season, following his decision to fire Seth Littrell after seven games in 2024.
The firing comes as Oklahoma struggles through a difficult stretch after beginning the season ranked No. 9 in the US LBM Coaches Top 25. Following two losses before September ended, the Sooners dropped four games by the end of October, including back-to-back home defeats against Kentucky and South Carolina.
Offensive Output Plummets in the SEC
Saturday’s loss dropped the Sooners to a 4-4 record, exposing deep flaws in an offense that currently ranks near the bottom of the Southeastern Conference. Oklahoma sits second-last in both average yards per game and total touchdowns scored.
BREAKING: Oklahoma has fired offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle, @PeteNakos reports. https://t.co/9YLJrn1EMS pic.twitter.com/mZKtHUBQPQ
Through October, the team ranked 108th nationally in scoring by averaging just 22 points per contest. Total offensive production fared little better, placing 111th with 336.9 yards per game.
Speaking after the defeat against South Carolina, Venables maintained his belief that the unit can be fixed, though he conceded that his assessment might not convince everyone. He acknowledged that his view “doesn’t do a whole lot for everybody else” and that it is “very reasonable to think the exact opposite of what I’m saying.”
Financial Obligations and Contract Terms
Arbuckle joined the Sooners after wrapping up the 2024 season with Washington State, concurrently with quarterback John Mateer making the move from the Cougars to Oklahoma during that same offseason. He subsequently signed a three-year contract in February 2025, an agreement initially reached in December 2024.
Based on contract details examined by USA Today Sports, the agreement carried an annual average compensation of $1.5 million. Oklahoma is required to continue paying Arbuckle $125,000 per month for the remainder of the agreement.
With 15 months remaining on the contract through January 2028, the university remains on the hook for roughly $1.875 million. However, that figure will be offset by any salary Arbuckle earns if he secures another coaching position during the remainder of the contract period.
Moving Forward with Interim Leadership
As the Sooners prepare to travel and face No. 25 Florida next Saturday, tight ends coach Jason Witten will step in as interim offensive coordinator and assume play-calling duties, according to ESPN.
