Bob Stoops Backs Jason Witten as Oklahoma’s OC After Ben Arbuckle's Dismissal

When things go off the rails at Oklahoma, there’s one voice in Sooner Nation that carries more weight than almost anyone else: Bob Stoops.

The legendary former head coach—and Oklahoma's all-time winningest lead man—joined KREF Radio this week to share his thoughts on Brent Venables’ decision to part ways with second-year offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle and promote tight ends coach Jason Witten to interim play-caller.

Stoops, who knows a thing or two about navigating high-stakes coaching changes during his 18-year run in Norman, offered a perspective that was equal parts pragmatic real talk and a ringing endorsement of the path forward.

"It Wasn't All Ben Arbuckle"

Stoops didn't mince words when addressing the root of Oklahoma’s offensive collapse this fall. While Arbuckle ultimately took the fall after the Sooners managed just 20 touchdowns through eight games and ranked near the bottom of the SEC in almost every efficiency metric, Stoops made it clear that pinning the entire disaster on one man is overly simplistic.

"It wasn't all Ben Arbuckle, it's everybody," Stoops said on KREF.

From offensive line struggles and injuries to inconsistent quarterback play and red-zone misfires, the failure was collective. However, Stoops acknowledged the cold, hard reality of big-time college football when an offense stalls out to the tune of 22.0 points per game.

"I get it when somebody has to take the fall," Stoops added. "We live in that world and that happens."

For Venables, making a move wasn't just about placing blame; it was about trying to salvage the back half of the 2026 season and finding a spark before taking the field in Gainesville this Saturday.

The Power of a New Voice in the Room

When an offense gets stuck in a rut, sometimes the scheme matters less than the atmosphere in the meeting rooms. Stoops highlighted why a midseason shakeup can occasionally produce immediate results, even with the same playbook.

"I think just a different voice in the room sometimes can help," Stoops noted.

That fresh perspective now belongs to Jason Witten. The 17-year NFL veteran and 11-time Pro Bowler stepped into the interim OC role on Monday, tasked with rallying a unit that has struggled with identity, physical push upfront, and ball security.

Stoops couldn't have been more emphatic about his belief in Witten's ability to command respect from the players and staff immediately.

"I've been around Jason; I've seen him," Stoops said. "He's a wonderful guy, and I think he'll be a great leader in front of everybody."

Stoops doubled down on the decision to hand Witten the play-calling duties for the final stretch of the year: "I think it was the right move. I believe in the guy... If anyone has the chance to command the room, it would be him."

Why Stoops' Endorsement Speaks Volumes

To truly understand the weight of Stoops' comments, you have to look at who wasn't named interim coordinator.

Also sitting on the Oklahoma offensive staff is assistant head coach Kevin Wilson. Wilson, of course, was Stoops' offensive coordinator during some of the most explosive scoring years in OU history—including the 2008 season where the Sooners set a modern-era scoring record with 716 points on their way to the BCS National Championship game.

Wilson possesses decades of play-calling experience at the highest level, along with head coaching experience at Indiana and Tulsa. Yet, Venables bypassed the veteran coordinator and handed the reins to Witten, who came to Norman after coaching high school football at Liberty Christian in Texas.

For Stoops to publicly go on KREF and give his unequivocal stamp of approval to Witten—over his former right-hand man in Wilson—tells you everything you need to know about how the program views Witten's standing in the building. It’s not just a temp job; it's a legitimate trial run for Witten to prove he can lead this offense long-term.

Stoops’ endorsement won't buy touchdowns on Saturday night, but it reinforces what Venables is trying to build: an offense defined by leadership, accountability, and physical toughness. Now, it's up to Witten and the players to turn that belief into production on the field.

The Road Ahead

With John Mateer fighting for his starting job and the Sooners walking into a hostile environment at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium against No. 25 Florida, Witten’s leadership will be tested immediately.