Sports · American Football · 1 hr ago
Oklahoma fires offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle after 4-4 start
Oklahoma has fired offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle after less than two seasons in the job.
The decision followed a 42-25 home loss to South Carolina that left the Sooners with a 4-4 record.
Oklahoma’s offense has struggled, ranking next to last in the SEC in yards per game and touchdowns scored.
Arbuckle had joined Oklahoma after two successful seasons leading Washington State’s offense.
Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer had a thumb injury that affected his play, and since the injury he has thrown 21 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.
Coach Brent Venables has now fired two coordinators during a season since taking charge of the program.
The Sooners are scheduled to play at Florida on Saturday.
Oklahoma fired offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle after the Sooners fell to 4-4 with a 42-25 home loss to South Carolina.
The offense generated fewer than 80 total yards in the first half of the loss, according to OU Daily.
Oklahoma ranks near the bottom of the SEC in yards per game and touchdowns scored, ESPN reported.
Arbuckle joined Oklahoma in December 2024 after leading Washington State’s offense.
Head coach Brent Venables has now dismissed an offensive coordinator in-season twice.
- Who
- Oklahoma fired offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle.
- What
- The Sooners dismissed Arbuckle after their offense struggled in a loss to South Carolina.
- When
- The firing was reported on Nov. 1 and Nov. 2, 2026.
- Where
- Oklahoma; the Sooners lost at home to South Carolina.
- Why
- The firing followed a 4-4 start and poor offensive production.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Oklahoma lost 42-25 at home to South Carolina and fell to 4-4.
OU Daily reported that Oklahoma had fired Arbuckle.
ESPN reported that Oklahoma fired Arbuckle after less than two seasons.
- Record
- 4-4
- Loss
- South Carolina beat Oklahoma 42-25
- First-half offense
- Fewer than 80 total yards
- Arbuckle contract
- Second year of a three-year deal paying $1.5 million annually
5 sources
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OU fires offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle
What people are saying
Didn't look like we were ready to play,
I believe in what this place is. I believe in these players,
We're a better team than what we played tonight.