Ben Arbuckle entered Oklahoma at 29 and has now turned 30, marking his second season as the team's offensive coordinator. The hire was seen as a bold move, but the first year delivered mixed results, with the Sooners ranking ninth in the SEC for passing, 13th for rushing, and 14th in yards per play.
Those numbers reflected a roster that included an inexperienced offensive line and a running game that struggled to find rhythm. The early season was further hampered by the injury of quarterback John Mateer, who had followed Arbuckle from Washington State but was forced to sit out much of the schedule.
Mateer's recovery has been a focal point of the offseason. Now fully healthy, the quarterback's chemistry with Arbuckle has deepened, entering its fourth year together. Their rapport is viewed as a cornerstone for an offense that needs to move beyond the 113th‑to‑92nd jump in total offense and the 124th‑to‑97th rise in yards per play achieved between 2024 and 2025.
The coaching staff surrounding Arbuckle brings a blend of playing pedigree and seasoned leadership. Former NFL tight end Jason Witten, now tight ends coach, adds a veteran perspective, while Kevin Wilson, a 64‑year‑old coach with decades of college experience, serves as a mentor and critical evaluator of Arbuckle's play‑calling.
A Defense‑First Identity with Offensive Ambitions
Head coach Brent Venables has repeatedly emphasized that the defense will remain the team's anchor, a unit that helped Oklahoma secure a 10‑win season and a College Football Playoff berth despite an underperforming offense. Venables notes Arbuckle's hunger and intelligence, suggesting that the coordinator is actively refining his approach.
Looking ahead to 2026, the expectation is that the defense could match or even surpass its 2025 performance. For the offense to avoid becoming a liability, Arbuckle must translate the experience gained over the past two seasons into more consistent production, especially in the passing and rushing games.