Brent Venables finally fires Ben Arbuckle after holding Oklahoma back for two seasons

He actually did it. Brent Venables has fired Ben Arbuckle as Oklahoma's offensive coordinator in a move OU fans have been begging for for weeks

CBS Sports national college football senior reporter Matt Zenitz broke the news that OU fans had been waiting for, reporting on Monday that Arbuckle and OU are expected to part ways. This was a report that Sooner Nation anticipated to come on Sunday after OU's embarrassing 42-25 loss to South Carolina, but it's still better late than never.

SoonerScoop also reported that tight ends coach Jason Witten will take over play-calling duties for the Sooners' final four games of the season. It was assumed Kevin Wilson would slide into the role because of his extensive experience as an offensive coordinator, including at OU.

This move could also finally mean a change at quarterback from John Mateer, who followed Arbuckle from Washington State ahead of the 2025 season.

Ben Arbuckle and OU reportedly part ways after low point vs. South Carolina

Arbuckle was literally booed out of Oklahoma. Boos echoed throughout Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium during Saturday's loss and "Fire Arbuckle" was chanted by the student section. It was already clear to most fans even before that, but maybe that low point finally opened Venables' eyes to what he needed to do.

"I believe in what this place is," Arbuckle said in response to the fans' jeers during his postgame press conference. "I believe in these players. I love these players. I love this university, and I love the standards and expectations that this place has. I love that they want a really good product. I want a really good product, and I'm going to strive relentlessly to deliver that."

Arbuckle will strive no more.

At just 31 years old, Arbuckle lasted 21 games as the Sooners' OC after replacing Seth Littrell in 2025. Littrell was also fired midseason during the 2024 campaign. Littrell lasted only seven games after replacing Jeff Lebby, who left to become Mississippi State's head coach.

Those 21 games were more than enough to prove that Arbuckle is not cut out to lead the Sooners' offense. Heading into Week 10, OU has the No. 108 scoring offense in FBS, averaging 22 points per game, and ranks No. 111 in total offense with 336.9 yards per game. Those numbers are also at the bottom of the SEC.

The numbers alone, though, don't do justice to the misery it's been to watch OU's offense under Arbuckle.

Even during last season, as the Sooners made the College Football Playoff, it was accomplished in spite of the offense. The defense had to score points itself and Tate Sandell had to be the best kicker in college football for the Sooners to get that far.

This move is the first sign of progress this season from Venables. The Sooners, at 4-4, have an elite defense, which is led by Venables, but have been unable to find success once again because of a lifeless offense. Yet, no changes had been made at OC or even QB, as all of the season's goals have vanished now because of complacency.

If this were a move Venables didn't make, then it likely would have been his job on the line instead. Arbuckle getting fired won't immediately fix the Sooners' offense and turn the season around, but it's at least hope, which had been lost for 2026.

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