Oklahoma Fires Arbuckle, Names Witten Play Caller
Oklahoma dismissed offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle on Monday and named former NFL tight end Jason Witten as its new offensive play caller.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Football
Live Poll
Will Oklahoma's offense improve after the coaching change by season's end?
Oklahoma fired offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle on Monday, one day after a 42-25 loss to South Carolina, and named Jason Witten the offensive play caller. The move comes as the Sooners' offense has struggled through the season.
Why it matters
Oklahoma's offense ranks last in the SEC in yards per game at 321.25, and the Sooners average 22 points per game. The change puts a new voice on the play-calling duties as the team looks to improve its production over its remaining four games.
Witten played 17 NFL seasons from 2003 to 2020, recording 1,228 receptions for 13,046 yards and 74 touchdowns. His contract terms and any role beyond play calling were not disclosed in the source material.
The players
Jason Witten
Former Dallas Cowboys tight end with 17 NFL seasons and a Texas high school state championship coaching record at Liberty Christian School.
Ben Arbuckle
Former Oklahoma offensive coordinator who came to the Sooners from Washington State and was dismissed in November 2026.
Brent Venables
Oklahoma head football coach who oversaw the staff changes and the midseason 2024 firing of Seth Littrell.
The details
Oklahoma named Witten after dismissing Arbuckle, who joined the program from Washington State alongside quarterback John Mateer. Witten was hired as tight ends coach ahead of the 2026 season and previously led Liberty Christian School to Texas state championships in 2023 and 2024.
Timeline
2024 season: Brent Venables fired Seth Littrell midseason.
2026 season: Witten hired as Oklahoma's tight ends coach.
Monday, November 2, 2026: Arbuckle fired and Witten named play caller.
Saturday: Oklahoma travels to Gainesville, Florida.
Season Trajectory
Following Venables' 2024 midseason firing of Seth Littrell, Oklahoma is again altering its offensive leadership during the season. With four games left, the change represents a second in-season attempt to address offensive production.
The change affects how Oklahoma's offense is called for the rest of the season, which matters for fans tracking the Sooners' remaining four games. The offense's production, including its 2.93 yards per carry on the ground, will be the measure of whether the switch makes a difference.
The takeaway
A mid-season coaching change signals that Oklahoma's offensive production has become the central concern, with Witten's play calling now the immediate test. Results over the remaining four games will show whether the adjustment shifts the numbers.
What happens next
Oklahoma travels to Gainesville, Florida, on Saturday for the next game on its four-game remaining schedule.
Further reading
For the wider picture on the Sooners' season, see Football coverage in Norman.
Source note: This article includes information reported by On3.
Live Poll
Will Oklahoma's offense improve after the coaching change by season's end?
