Washington State targeting Western Kentucky's Ben Arbuckle for offensive coordinator job

Washington State is targeting Western Kentucky’s Ben Arbuckle for its offensive coordinator job, sources tell On3. The expectation is that he’ll be hired.

In his first year as Western Kentucky’s offensive play-caller, Arbuckle led the way for a Hilltoppers offense that’s ranked sixth nationally in total offense and that posted 677 yards in a 44-23 win over South Alabama in the New Orleans Bowl.

The 27-year old Arbuckle, one of the top rising star offensive coaches in the nation, was promoted to co-offensive coordinator and offensive play-caller for Western Kentucky after last season when Zach Kittley left the Hilltoppers for the offensive coordinator job at Texas Tech.

Arbuckle was a quality control assistant under Kittley at Western Kentucky last season. He had previously worked with Kittley as a quality control assistant at Houston Baptist in 2018 and ’19. He was a high school assistant coach in 2020, serving as a co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Seminole High School in Texas.

At Washington State, Arbuckle would be the replacement for Eric Morris, who recently landed the North Texas head coaching job.

The Cougars finished the season 7-6, including 4-5 in Pac 12 play. They tied for eighth in the Pac 12 in scoring offense.