Oklahoma fires offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle after scoring collapses to 22 points per game
Oklahoma fired offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle on November 2, 2026, after the Sooners averaged just 22 points per game this season, including a 10-point performance against Michigan, per multiple reports.
Oklahoma fired offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle on November 2, 2026, after the Sooners averaged just 22 points per game this season, including a 10-point performance against Michigan, per multiple reports. The move follows a 4-4 season and a 42-25 loss to South Carolina, where Oklahoma scored only three first-half points.
Key numbers
| Stat | Figure | Date | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Points per game (2026 season) | 22 | 2026-11-02 | News9.com |
| Points scored vs. Michigan | 10 | 2026-11-02 | Yahoo Sports |
| Average annual salary | $1.5 million | 2025-02 | USA TODAY Sports |
| $1.875 million | 2026-11-02 | USA TODAY Sports |
What happened
Oklahoma fired offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle on November 2, 2026, after a season of offensive struggles, including a 4-4 record and a 42-25 loss to South Carolina. The Sooners ranked No. 111 in FBS total offense at 336.9 yards per game and averaged just 22 points per game, per reports from Yahoo Sports and CBS Sports. Arbuckle’s firing follows a revolving door of coaching changes under head coach Brent Venables, who previously fired offensive coordinator Seth Littrell in 2024 and multiple assistant coaches in 2025.Who is affected
The Sooners’ offensive staff and players are directly affected, as assistant head coach Kevin Wilson will now call plays for the remainder of the season. Quarterback John Mateer, who followed Arbuckle from Washington State, has struggled this year with 13 touchdowns and 7 interceptions through eight games, per Yahoo Sports. The team’s remaining schedule—against No. 25 Florida, No. 12 Ole Miss, Texas A&M, and No. 19 Missouri—will now be managed without Arbuckle’s system. See the table above for verified figures, including the Sooners’ 22-point average and Arbuckle’s $1.5 million annual salary.What to do next
Oklahoma will turn to Kevin Wilson, an experienced offensive coordinator with prior head coaching roles, to lead the offense for the final four games of the season. The team’s defense and special teams have performed better than the offense, but the Sooners face three ranked opponents in their remaining schedule, raising concerns about bowl eligibility after three losing seasons in five years under Venables.What we know and don’t know
We know Arbuckle’s contract includes a $125,000 monthly payout through January 2028, with $1.875 million remaining, per USA TODAY Sports. However, we don’t know if Oklahoma will attempt to renegotiate his contract or if he will seek another coaching position. The team’s next move in the transfer portal for quarterbacks or offensive coordinators remains unclear.Timeline of Ben Arbuckle’s tenure
- December 2024: Hired by Oklahoma from Washington State, bringing along quarterback John Mateer.
- 2025 season: Led Oklahoma to an at-large College Football Playoff bid (lost to Alabama).
- November 2, 2026: Fired after a 4-4 season and offensive collapse to 22 points per game.
Why it matters
Arbuckle’s firing underscores Oklahoma’s ongoing offensive struggles under Brent Venables, who has seen three losing seasons in five years. The Sooners risk missing their first bowl game since 1998, and the team’s inability to sustain scoring—even against lower-ranked opponents—has raised questions about the future of the program’s offensive identity.Frequently asked questions
How much will Oklahoma pay Ben Arbuckle?
Oklahoma is obligated to pay Arbuckle $125,000 per month through January 2028, with $1.875 million remaining on his contract, per USA TODAY Sports.
Who will replace Ben Arbuckle?
Assistant head coach Kevin Wilson, who has prior head coaching experience, will call plays for the remainder of the season, according to reports from CBS Sports and USA TODAY Sports.
What was Ben Arbuckle’s record at Oklahoma?
Arbuckle’s tenure included a 2025 College Football Playoff appearance (lost to Alabama) but a 4-4 record in 2026, with the offense averaging just 22 points per game, per Yahoo Sports.
Did Oklahoma’s defense perform better?
Yes, the Sooners’ defense and special teams have been more productive than the offense, despite the team’s overall struggles, as noted in reports from CBS Sports.
What is Oklahoma’s bowl outlook?
The Sooners are at serious risk of missing their first bowl game since 1998, given their 4-4 record and three losing seasons in five years under head coach Brent Venables.
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Sources
- Oklahoma reportedly fires offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle — sports.yahoo.com, 2026-11-02
- Oklahoma expected to fire Ben Arbuckle: Sooners to part with OC as offense continues to sputter in 2026 season — cbssports.com, 2026-11-02
- Oklahoma reportedly fires offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle amid disappointing 4-4 record — uk.sports.yahoo.com, 2026-11-02
- Oklahoma expected to fire second-year offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle — news9.com, 2026-11-02
- Oklahoma’s Brent Venables fires OC Ben Arbuckle as season goes down drain — clutchpoints.com, 2026-11-02
- Oklahoma fires offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle as scoring woes continue — usatoday.com, 2026-11-02
Primary sources referenced in this coverage: https://publicfiles.fcc.gov/tv-profile/KWTV-DT, https://publicfiles.fcc.gov/tv-profile/KSBI.
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