Oklahoma Hires Jason Witten to Replace Fired Offensive Coordinator Ben Arbuckle

Oklahoma football fired second-year offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle on Monday, with head coach Brent Venables confirming that Jason Witten will assume the role as interim offensive coordinator and play caller. Witten, 44, joins the coaching staff immediately following the Sooners' recent defeat.

The team is currently 4-4 overall and 2-3 in Southeastern Conference play. They rank 15th among 16 SEC teams in scoring offense, averaging 22.0 points per game, and 15th in total offense with 336.9 yards per game. The change comes after Saturday's 42-25 loss at South Carolina, where the Oklahoma offense scored just three points in the first half, falling behind by 18 at halftime.

Venables stated that his decision was based on what he believes is best for the team at this moment. He said the staff needs a change and that the team has meaningful opportunities ahead to maximize its potential. He added that expectations remain high and the commitment to meeting them is unwavering.

Witten arrived at Oklahoma as the tight ends coach before the start of the season. He previously served as the head coach at Liberty Christian School in Argyle, Texas. Before that, he was a star tight end for the Dallas Cowboys. The move places a former player with recent coaching experience in charge of the offensive scheme.

Arbuckle, 31, left Washington State to join the Sooners ahead of the 2025 season. He brought quarterback John Mateer with him to Norman. Mateer missed time last year due to a hand injury and has not yet returned to his previous level of performance this season. The quarterback threw for 3,139 yards, 29 touchdowns, and seven interceptions for Washington State in 2024. At Oklahoma, he has thrown for 27 touchdowns and 18 interceptions through his first 20 games.

The Sooners reached the College Football Playoff as the No. 8 seed in 2025, supported by a defense that ranked sixth nationally in total defense. They lost in the first round to ninth-seeded Alabama. With four losses already recorded this season, Oklahoma will not return to the Playoff. The team now aims to secure a bowl game appearance to avoid missing one for the first time since 1998.