The Oklahoma Sooners are banking on a fresh offensive approach as they navigate the treacherous waters of SEC football. In a move that signals a new era in Norman, the university has hired 29-year-old Ben Arbuckle as their new offensive coordinator, according to sources close to the program. Arbuckle, a rising star in the coaching ranks, now faces the daunting task of reviving an Oklahoma offense that sputtered in its first season of SEC play.
A Struggling Offense in Need of a Spark
Oklahoma’s inaugural season in the SEC was a rude awakening for a program accustomed to dominating the Big 12. The Sooners finished a disappointing 2-6 in conference play and 6-6 overall, with their once-prolific offense ranking near the bottom of the SEC in both scoring and total yards. Head coach Brent Venables, known for his defensive prowess, made the difficult decision to part ways with offensive coordinator Seth Littrell in late October, setting the stage for a crucial hire.
Arbuckle’s Rise Through the Ranks
Enter Ben Arbuckle, a precocious playcaller who has quickly made a name for himself in coaching circles. At just 29 years old, Arbuckle has already served as the co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Western Kentucky, where he guided quarterback Austin Reed to a nation-leading 4,746 passing yards in 2022. Most recently, Arbuckle orchestrated a high-powered offense at Washington State, which finished the 2024 season ranked 12th nationally in scoring, 9th in passing efficiency, and 22nd in total offense.
Ben is one of the brightest young offensive minds in the game. His innovative schemes and ability to develop quarterbacks make him the perfect fit for Oklahoma as we look to compete at the highest level in the SEC.
According to a source close to the Oklahoma program
The Quarterback Whisperer
Arbuckle’s success at Washington State was largely due to his work with quarterback John Mateer, a sophomore from Texas who threw for 3,139 yards and 29 touchdowns in 2024. Mateer’s development under Arbuckle’s tutelage has not gone unnoticed, and the young signal-caller could become a highly sought-after transfer target should he decide to explore his options.
The ability to develop quarterbacks has become increasingly crucial in the modern game, and Arbuckle’s track record speaks for itself. In addition to his work with Mateer, Arbuckle helped guide Washington State’s Cam Ward to a 3,735-yard, 29-touchdown campaign in 2023.
A New Era in Norman
As Oklahoma prepares for its second season in the SEC, the pressure is on to right the ship and prove that the Sooners belong among college football’s elite. Venables, now 22-16 through three seasons at the helm, is betting big on Arbuckle’s ability to breathe new life into the offense and help the program navigate the challenges that lie ahead.
The Sooners faithful are hungry for a return to prominence, and Arbuckle’s arrival has injected a sense of optimism into a fanbase that has grown restless in recent years. With a young, innovative offensive mind at the controls, Oklahoma is poised to make a statement in the SEC and reclaim its place among the nation’s top programs.
The college football world will be watching closely as Arbuckle and the Sooners embark on this new chapter. Can the 29-year-old wunderkind orchestrate a turnaround in Norman? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the future of Oklahoma football starts now, and Ben Arbuckle is the man tasked with leading the charge.
