Ben Arbuckle’s ascension to the role of offensive coordinator at the University of Oklahoma is a testament to his rapid rise in the coaching ranks and his innovative approach to offensive football. Born on September 15, 1995, in Wichita Falls, Texas, Arbuckle’s journey from a high school quarterback to a prominent coaching position in one of college football’s storied programs underscores his dedication and expertise.
Early Life and Playing Career
Arbuckle attended Canadian High School in Canadian, Texas, where he distinguished himself as a talented quarterback. During his junior and senior years, he amassed over 7,500 passing yards and 95 touchdown passes, showcasing his aptitude for the game. His high school success led him to West Texas A&M University, where he continued his playing career. After a two-year hiatus from football, Arbuckle joined the Buffaloes, starting seven games as a junior and passing for 1,241 yards and 15 touchdowns. Despite competing for the starting position in his senior year, he was not named the starter, which subtly hinted at his future transition into coaching.
Transition to Coaching
Arbuckle began his coaching career as an offensive quality control assistant at Houston Baptist University (HBU) from 2018 to 2019. At HBU, he collaborated with offensive coordinator Zach Kittley, contributing to the development of quarterback Bailey Zappe and the Huskies’ offense. In 2020, Arbuckle took on the role of offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Seminole High School in Texas, further honing his coaching skills and offensive strategies.
Climbing the Collegiate Coaching Ladder
In 2021, Arbuckle reunited with Zach Kittley at Western Kentucky University (WKU), serving as an offensive quality control coach. His impact was immediate, assisting in mentoring quarterback Bailey Zappe during a record-breaking season. Following Kittley’s departure to Texas Tech, Arbuckle was promoted to co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at WKU. Under his guidance, the Hilltoppers’ offense flourished, finishing sixth nationally in yards per game, first in total passing yards, and 15th in points per game during the 2022 season.
Arbuckle’s success at WKU led to his appointment as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Washington State University in January 2023. At 27, he became the youngest primary coordinator in the Power 5 conferences at that time. During his tenure, Washington State’s offense ranked 10th nationally in passing yards per game (302.7) and passing touchdowns (57), 12th in touchdown-to-interception ratio (3.56), and 20th in scoring offense (34.2 points per game). His innovative play-calling and ability to maximize player potential garnered national attention.
Appointment at the University of Oklahoma
On December 2, 2024, the University of Oklahoma announced the hiring of Ben Arbuckle as their new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach under head coach Brent Venables. This strategic move aimed to revitalize the Sooners’ offense, which had struggled in its inaugural SEC season, ranking 15th out of 16 teams in both scoring offense and total offense. Arbuckle replaced Seth Littrell, who was relieved of his duties in late October 2024.
Coach Venables expressed his enthusiasm for Arbuckle’s arrival, stating, “Ben is an extremely passionate and innovative coach who does a great job of finding ways to maximize his personnel. He has developed dynamic quarterbacks in his young coaching career and sees the QB game through a unique perspective and lens, as he played the position himself.”
Arbuckle’s offensive philosophy emphasizes adaptability, tailoring schemes to the strengths of his personnel. He remarked, “I’ve always played to the strength of my personnel. The personnel drives the scheme. There have been years where the best thing for the team to be successful was throwing the ball a lot, and there have been years where the best thing for the team was to establish the line of scrimmage and get rolling.”
Immediate Impact and Future Prospects
Upon his arrival in Norman, Arbuckle immediately immersed himself in preparations for the Armed Forces Bowl against Navy. Although he did not call plays during the game, his involvement in practices and meetings facilitated the development of relationships with players and staff, setting the foundation for future success. Redshirt junior center Troy Everett noted, “I love Coach Arbuckle… I can already tell it’s going to be a fun season next year with him.”
Arbuckle’s track record of developing quarterbacks and producing high-powered offenses has generated optimism among the Oklahoma faithful. His previous work with quarterbacks like Bailey Zappe at WKU and John Mateer at Washington State underscores his ability to elevate offensive play. As the Sooners look to rebound from a challenging season, Arbuckle’s innovative approach and youthful energy are expected to play a pivotal role in the program’s resurgence.
