Oklahoma fires offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle, tight ends coach Jason Witten to take over in interim

Oklahoma has fired offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle, the school confirmed on Monday .

The Sooners rank No. 111 among FBS teams in total offense at 336.9 yards per game, which is second-to-last in the SEC. In its eight games thus far, Oklahoma has averaged 22 points per game, scoring only 10 points against Michigan and 13 versus both No. 2 Georgia and No. 8 Kentucky .

Tight ends coach Jason Witten will take over as Oklahoma's interim OC and play-caller. The former Dallas Cowboys All-Pro tight end is in his first year on the Sooners' staff after five years as a high school head coach.

"I have decided to make a change at offensive coordinator. My responsibility is to the whole team and what I believe is best for us right now, " Sooners head coach Brett Venables said in a statement . "We need a change." "I believe we still have meaningful opportunities ahead and a responsibility to maximize them," he added. "Our expectations remain high and our commitment to meeting them is unwavering."

"I have decided to make a change at offensive coordinator. My responsibility is to the whole team and what I believe is best for us right now, " Sooners head coach Brett Venables said in a statement . "We need a change."

"I believe we still have meaningful opportunities ahead and a responsibility to maximize them," he added. "Our expectations remain high and our commitment to meeting them is unwavering."

Oklahoma began the 2026 season ranked No. 10 in the preseason AP Top 25 poll, but have been one of college football's biggest disappointments. Following Saturday's 42-25 loss to South Carolina, the Sooners are 4-4.

Quarterback John Mateer, who followed Arbuckle from Washington State to Oklahoma, failed to fulfill expectations as a potential Heisman Trophy candidate. In Arbuckle's offense, Mateer threw 14 touchdowns to 11 interceptions last season. This year, he's passed for 1,835 yards — 39th among FBS quarterbacks — with 13 TD passes and 7 interceptions.

Venables hired Arbuckle, 31, in December of 2024 after Seth Littrell was fired as OC during the season. With Arbuckle overseeing Washington State's offense in 2024, the Cougars averaged 36.6 points (sixth in FBS) and 442.8 yards per game (17th in FBS).

Mateer entered the transfer portal soon thereafter and committed to the Sooners. In Arbuckle's system, he threw for 3.139 yards and 29 TDs during his sophomore season for the Cougars. Mateer rushed for an additional 851 yards and 15 TDs that year.

Whomever becomes Oklahoma's next offensive coordinator will be the fifth coach to hold that position during Venable's head-coaching tenure following Jeff Lebby, Joe Jon Finley, Littrell and Arbuckle.

The remaining games on the Sooners' schedule are against No. 25 Florida, No. 12 Ole Miss, Texas A&M and No. 19 Missouri.