Oklahoma OC Ben Arbuckle Calls Plays from Sideline for 2025 Season

Ben Arbuckle, the new offensive coordinator for the Oklahoma Sooners football team, plans to call plays from the sidelines during the 2025 season, continuing his approach from previous coaching roles at Washington State and Western Kentucky. Arbuckle prefers being on the field to facilitate immediate communication and interaction with players, especially quarterback transfer John Mateer, to make real-time adjustments and maintain player morale. This marks a shift from the recent practice of Oklahoma’s offensive coordinators Jeff Lebby and Seth Littrell, who called plays from the press box. The Sooners' offense is undergoing a culture shift under Arbuckle, aiming to improve significantly after ranking near the bottom nationally last season. Head coach Brent Venables supports Arbuckle’s sideline approach, noting his own history of calling plays from the field. With new talent additions and a revamped offensive line, the Sooners hope to revitalize their offense and avoid another poor performance.