Overview
- Oklahoma fired offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle on Monday and promoted tight ends coach Jason Witten to interim offensive coordinator and play caller.
- The decision follows a 42-25 home loss to South Carolina that exposed a sputtering offense and a defense that allowed 521 yards, leaving the Sooners 4-4 and 2-3 in SEC play.
- Arbuckle’s contract reportedly requires continued monthly payments of about $125,000 through January 2028, leaving roughly $1.875 million owed unless his salary is offset by a new job.
- Fans chanted for Arbuckle’s ouster during the South Carolina game and national commentators intensified criticism, while Venables initially declined to discuss staff changes before announcing the firing.
- With a trip to Florida scheduled next, Oklahoma has limited time to adjust; reports name Kevin Wilson as a possible play-calling option and signal continued coordinator turnover under Venables.