Sources: Oklahoma fires OC Arbuckle after less than two seasons

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  Alex ScarboroughNov 2, 2026, 01:05 PM ET

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  • Covers the SEC.
  • Joined ESPN in 2012.
  • Graduate of Auburn University.

Oklahoma has fired offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle after less than two seasons, sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel on Monday.

The Sooners, which dropped to 4-4 after a 42-25 home loss to South Carolina, rank next-to-last in the SEC in yards per game and touchdowns scored.

Arbuckle came to Norman after two successful seasons at Washington State where he was the youngest primary coordinator in the Power 4 at the time (age 27). His quarterback with the Cougars, John Mateer, transferred to Oklahoma the same month Arbuckle was hired.

Mateer gained buzz as a Heisman Trophy candidate early last season before a thumb injury sidelined him and continued to impact his performance. Since the injury, he's thrown 21 touchdowns to 15 interceptions.

Oklahoma coach Brent Venables has now fired his offensive coordinator twice in-season. He dismissed Seth Littrell seven games into the 2024 season.

After the loss to South Carolina, a frustrated Arbuckle said the team came out "tentative" and "undisciplined" in many facets.

"Didn't look like we were ready to play," he added. "And I own that 100%. It's my job to have these guys, by the time that ball is kicking off, they're ready to roll, they're ready to play. And we weren't that tonight."

Venables said after the game that he believes the offense is fixable. But he acknowledged that it "doesn't do a whole lot for everybody else" and it's "very reasonable to think the exact opposite of what I'm saying."

"But we'll go right back to work," Venables said. "We're a better team than what we played tonight."

Arbuckle was in the second year of a three-year contract that pays him $1.5 million annually.