Michael Hawkins describes the challenge of constant changes at offensive coordinator

The offense was a major concern for the Oklahoma Sooners in 2024. With that, head coach Brent Venables made changes at both offensive coordinator and quarterback. Now, as Michael Hawkins prepares for his first bowl game, he is being faced with learning a new offense.

Despite those changes, as Hawkins explained, learning a new offense is no different to him than any other year.

“I’d say ever since high school I’ve always learned a new offense,” Michael Hawkins said. “Every year. So, I feel like now that I’ve learned the offense at Oklahoma, and I’m learning a new one in the offseason. So, I feel like it’s not too much of a big deal. Just getting it down and moving forward.”

Going into the 2024 season, Oklahoma was led by Seth Littrell at offensive coordinator. He was replacing Jeff Lebby who had taken the head coach job at Mississippi State. However, Littrell wouldn’t survive the season, being replaced by Joe Jon Finley.

Now, Oklahoma is turning to Ben Arbuckle as its next offensive coordinator. He’s coming over from Washington State where he has been known as an up-and-coming mind with ties to the state of Texas. Notably, for Michael Hawkins, Washington State quarterback John Mateer is also transferring into Oklahoma, coming with experience working with the offensive coordinator.

For his part, Michael Hawkins has had only positive things to say about Ben Arbuckle in the short time that he’s known his new offensive coordinator.

“He’s a great guy, real person,” Hawkins said. “He can relate to you since he’s so young and has kind of really shown off his personality since he’s gotten here. So he’s a great guy to be around so far.”

It’s been a brief first impression for Michael Hawkins and Ben Arbuckle. However, there is an opportunity for the two to have plenty of success together. Hawkins came to Oklahoma as a four-star recruit in the Class of 2024, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. He was the 18th-ranked quarterback in that recruiting cycle, so there is some clear upside for the young signal caller.

For his freshman season in 2024, Hawkins played in six games and completed 62.3 percent of his passes for 536 yards and a passing touchdown. He also flashed talent with his legs, rushing for 143 yards and a touchdown on 52 carries including sacks. Now, he’ll look to build on that going into the 2025 season.