At only 29-years old, Ben Arbuckle has fast tracked his way on the college football season being named the University of Oklahoma offensive coordinator in December.
Arbuckle has had a meteoric rise in the college football world from his playing days at Canadian and West Texas A&M. Arbuckle went from coaching high school football at Seminole just five years ago to landing his first offensive coordinator job at Western Kentucky in 2022.
Last season, in his second year at Washington State, Arbuckle showed why he is one of the great minds in college football leading the Cougars offense that ranked 12th nationally in the regular season putting up 36.8 points per game.
[tds_partial_locker tds_locker_id=”26894″]In his combined two years at Washington State, Arbuckle’s offense ranked 10th nationally in passing yards per game (302.7) and in passing touchdowns (57), 12th in touchdown/interception ratio (3.56), 13th in passing efficiency rating (154.5), 20th in scoring offense (34.2 ppg) and 22nd in touchdowns from scrimmage (101).
Arbuckle met with the media during an Oklahoma press conference Wednesday to kick off fall camp. Press Pass Sports was able to sit down with Arbuckle to talk about the season and his rise through the college football ranks.
How has your time been at Oklahoma since you’ve been and hired and hit the ground running?
“It’s been exciting. My family and I have immediately jumped into the tradition of Oklahoma and the city of Norman. We can’t ask for anything better. My wife (Lauren) is happy, my son (Hudson) is happy, and I have loved everyone I’m working with and have come into contact with at Oklahoma.”
What are your goals for this offense during fall camp?
“I think the first goal is we have to have to build an identity we want throughout the season. That’s playing a physical, fast nature of football. That’s going out there and creating a lot of explosive plays and having fun why we’re doing it. That’s my main goal during fall camp.”
How big was it for you to get quarterback John Mateer to Oklahoma?
“It was huge for a lot of different reasons. He’s like another coach out there for us. He helps get that extra work in with the guys and hold them accountable. John is someone I’ve had a relationship with going on three years and we think a lot alike and it’s big we’re on the same page.”
What’s it like to be on this big of a stage and to be representing Canadian High School?
“It means a lot. Canadian is responsible for how I am today and what my coaches there instilled in me growing up. They taught me to have high expectations and to work hard. I love being able to represent Canadian and the Texas Panhandle. That is my home.”
Do you still look back and think how crazy it has been for you these past few years?
“For sure. There is an appreciation when I look back at it. There is an appreciation for all the great coaches and men I’ve gotten to work for. Those guys took a chance on me, and they saw something in me that they never questioned. I’m thankful for that and for the players I’ve gotten to coach. It’s fun to look back at it all.”
How do you handle the pressure of being the offensive coordinator at the University of Oklahoma?
“If I act any different than I did when I was at Seminole High School then I’m doing everyone a disservice. I want to be true to who I am, and I’m true to the core values that I have. Whenever I hit the pillow, I sleep well because I believe in what I do and who I coach next to. That’s what makes everyday fun to coach football.”
