Even with a new offensive coordinator, it sounds like Oklahoma won't make anymore staff changes on offense

Brent Venables made a huge change on Monday, but it sounds like that's all he has planned.

Oklahoma announced Ben Arbuckle as its new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach to fill the void left by Seth Littrell, who was fired after only seven games this season. OU's announcement confirmed reports from earlier in the day.

In the press release announcing Arbuckle's addition, Venables had his first statements since making the hire. In the midst of the usual comments on being excited about Arbuckle's addition, Venables also sounded like he plans for the rest of the offensive staff to stay in place, other than Kevin Johns, who was promoted from offensive analyst to co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach after Littrell's firing.

"I'm incredibly excited to see our offense reach new heights under Ben's guidance and leadership, working alongside the rest of our offensive staff of Coach (Joe Jon) Finley, Coach (Bill) Bedenbaugh, Coach (DeMarco) Murray and Coach (Emmett) Jones," Venables said in the release.

That comment mentioned tight ends coach Joe Jon Finley, who was also co-offensive coordinator and took over play-calling duties after Littrell was fired. After Saturday night's loss to LSU, knowing a new offensive coordinator was on the way, Finley was asked about his future at his alma-mater.

"I’ve got four kids and a wife that loves Oklahoma," Finley said postgame. "At the end of the day, I’m going to go to work every single day and do my best until somebody tells me not to. Like I said, just proud of these guys for how they fought all year. That was a team that went through a lot of things, even tonight, kept fighting. Couldn’t be more proud of what they’ve done and through the trials that they’ve been through. They’re going to have a bright future here."

Finley continued after a follow-up question.

"Means everything. This is my alma mater. I love this place," Finley said. "I know some of the fans may not love me right now, but that’s OK, because that’s what this is all about. This is the standard at Oklahoma. I love this place, and I always want Oklahoma to do well, because this is home for me. Wish I could have done a better job tonight, but again, I’m proud of these guys for how they fought all year long. Cause they were put in a bad spot, and they just kept on fightinge every single day, every single practice, every single meeting, every workout, never complained one time, came to work with a smile on their face. I’ll be forever grateful for those guys for that."

Finley was a tight end for the Sooners in 2004-07. He eventually ended up back at OU as a graduate assistant in 2012-13 before returning as tight ends coach in 2021. He was promoted to co-offensive coordinator last season, but it still hasn't been announced if that's a title he'll keep with Arbuckle around.

Other than Finley, Venables also mentioned offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh, running backs coach DeMarco Murray and wide receivers coach Emmett Jones as assistants expected to stay at OU and work under Arbuckle.

Considering OU statistically had one of the worst offenses among all Power Four programs, it wouldn't have been a surprise if Venables cleaned house and started over, or at least made a few changes. However, there are probably two reasons behind this presumed decision.

One, Venables has proven he's loyal to his guys. He showed that when he promoted Littrell as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach -- a hire Venables eventually called "a failure." He's at least not as loyal as he was considering he didn't give Finley or Johns the offensive coordinator job permanently.

Second, Arbuckle is only 29 years old and has been in charge of a college offense for only three seasons now. That's not long to establish "your guys." Considering that, and the fact that early signing day and the opening of the transfer portal are both within a week, some contunuity could be vital in keeping talent in Norman for Arbuckle to work with.

Read More: Everything to know about Oklahoma's new offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle