Oklahoma fires Ben Arbuckle, names Jason Witten
Oklahoma fired offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle after a 42-25 loss to South Carolina and named Jason Witten as interim offensive coordinator. The Sooners then beat No. 25 Florida 23-7 and are 5-4.
IllustrationThe story so far
On November 2, head coach Brent Venables fired offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle after Oklahoma lost 42-25 to South Carolina. The Sooners' offense ranked 108th in scoring at 22 points per game, and the 4-4 team risked missing its first bowl game since 1998. Arbuckle had been hired from Washington State on a three-year deal averaging $1.5 million per year and was owed $1.875 million through January 2028. Tight ends coach Jason Witten, an 11-time Pro Bowler with the Dallas Cowboys, was named interim offensive coordinator and play-caller.
On Saturday, Oklahoma beat No. 25 Florida 23-7 in Witten's first game as offensive play-caller. John Mateer threw two short touchdown passes and rushed for key gains, while the defense held Florida to 203 yards and intercepted Tramell Jones Jr. twice. The win improved Oklahoma to 5-4 and 3-3 in the Southeastern Conference and was the Sooners' first in Gainesville. Skip Bayless suggested making Witten the play-caller permanent, and Venables praised the rebound while hoping it was not a fluke against Ole Miss.
Latest updates
5 updates · newest first- 8 NovNew development
Venables praises Oklahoma rebound after Witten's play-calling debut
Oklahoma coach Brent Venables praised the Sooners for responding after a 42-25 loss to South Carolina by beating Florida 23-7 in Jason Witten's first game as offensive play-caller. The defense held Florida to 203 total yards and intercepted Tramell Jones Jr. twice, while John Mateer had 207 passing yards and two touchdowns. Venables said he values the response more than anything and hopes the performance is not a fluke against Ole Miss.
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- 8 NovOfficial statement
Bayless suggests making Jason Witten Oklahoma's play-caller permanent
Oklahoma's interim offensive coordinator Jason Witten earned praise from Skip Bayless after the Sooners beat Florida 23-7 in Witten's first play-calling job at the college level. Bayless suggested Oklahoma make the position permanent after a 20-play touchdown drive. The win was Oklahoma's first in Gainesville.
- 8 NovNew development
Oklahoma throttles No. 25 Florida 23-7 behind Mateer's legs and arm
Oklahoma defeated No. 25 Florida 23-7 on Saturday, with John Mateer throwing two short touchdown passes and rushing for key gains under new play-caller Jason Witten. The Sooners' defense held the Gators to 203 yards and forced a critical interception in the end zone, capping a 20-play, 89-yard drive that put Florida in a position of having to rally in the final five minutes. The win improved Oklahoma to 5-4 and 3-3 in the Southeastern Conference.
- 3 NovNew development
Oklahoma fires offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle, names Jason Witten
Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables removed Ben Arbuckle as offensive coordinator after the Sooners scored only three points through three quarters of a loss to South Carolina. Tight ends coach Jason Witten, an 11-time Pro Bowler with the Dallas Cowboys, will serve as interim offensive coordinator and play-caller. Oklahoma is 4-4 overall and ranks 11th in the SEC, with the offense averaging 336.9 yards per game and 22 points per game.
- 2 NovNew development
Oklahoma fires offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle after scoring slide
Brent Venables fired second-year offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle after Oklahoma's 42-25 loss to South Carolina, with the Sooners' offense ranking 108th nationally in scoring at 22 points per game. Arbuckle, hired from Washington State on a three-year deal averaging $1.5 million per year, is owed $1.875 million through January 2028. The 4-4 Sooners are at risk of missing their first bowl game since 1998.
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