Brent Venables updates how Ben Arbuckle has adjusted to Oklahoma

Brent Venables desperately needed to rework the Oklahoma offense, firing Seth Litrell during the season. He then went out and got his guy, hiring Ben Arbuckle of Washington State as the program’s new offensive coordinator. One of the brightest young minds in football will be in Norman in 2025 to lead a rebuild.

Oklahoma is preparing for its bowl game against Navy and while Arbuckle will not coach, he is getting adjusted to the new job. Venables updated the media on how Arbuckle is doing early in his tenure, having nothing but positive reviews thus far.

“He’s blended in really well,” Venables said. “He’s a relationship guy, he’s got a lot of humility. Got a lot of respect for the people in the building. It was a very natural transition for him up to this point. He’s spent a lot of time trying to get to know players and staff. So, it’s been great.”

Hiring Arbuckle was Oklahoma’s first step in getting the offense back on track. Step two was finding a quarterback and the offensive coordinator’s previous relationships paid off in a big way. John Mateer is following Arbuckle from Pullman and signed with the Sooners.

Other teams did make a run at Mateer, specifically Miami. But Arbuckle nailed down someone who Oklahoma believes can completely change things.

Players already on campus have had the opportunity to become familiar with Arbuckle too. He even got to take his title of quarterbacks coach to a new level, throwing some passes himself. Not a bad way to introduce yourself to QBs and even wide receivers.

“He was out there throwing,” Venables said. “We were spreading them out, working some of our pass stuff that we were doing. He was out there. If there’s five guys going out, there’s five balls flying. He got his arm warmed up, threw a few post routes, few unders. That was great to see.”

Sooner fans will have to wait one more game before Arbuckle is on the sideline calling plays. Next up to close out this season in Navy on Friday afternoon. Arbuckle will officially take over after the bowl game and call his first official contest on Aug. 30 against Illinois State.

So far, so good for Arbuckle. A positive update from Venables in what could turn out to be a massive hire for the program.