WSU offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle is headed to the SEC. The second-year Cougar OC is off to Norman after being hired by Oklahoma, per Pete Nakos of On3 Sports.
Arbuckle came to WSU after one season as the OC and quarterback coach at Western Kentucky, where he coached QB Austin Reed, who briefly appeared on the Chicago Bears preseason roster.
Since coming to WSU, he brought an air-raid style offense along to help QB Cam Ward earn an NIL deal at Miami, where he is now a Heisman candidate.
This season, he mentored QB John Mateer, who broke out in his first year as a starter, throwing for over 3,100 yards and 29 touchdowns, while rushing for 826 yards and 15 touchdowns.
After three years of QB mentoring, now he leaps to the SEC to join the Sooners, who joined the conference just a season ago. In 2024 the Sooners struggled offensively, scoring just 24 points per game, throwing for just 167 yards per game.
The 2024 Sooner offense in its first year in the SEC struggled tremendously and now looks for a revamp with Arbuckle, hoping to get back to its Big 12 form. OU went 10-3 in 2023.
WSU parted ways with defensive coordinator Jeff Schmedding Monday morning and now loses the OC as well. Head coach Jake Dickert will now have to recreate his coaching staff for the second time in three seasons.
It is worth monitoring if any players follow Arbuckle, or decide to part ways with the program following the move. WSU National Signing Day is Wednesday.
