Why did OU opt for a 29-year-old offensive coordinator?

All Venables had to do was look at his own coaching journey. He was just 27 when he was offered a job as defensive coordinator at Kansas State.

“I was pretty good early on and had a pretty good career over three decades. Or maybe you look at the other side of the ball and Zac Alley (OU’s defensive coordinator is 30). He doesn’t have a long history of defensive playcalling in the SEC, like no playcalling resume in the SEC,” Venables said.

Venables spoke about Arbuckle’s addition to the coaching staff during his Wednesday press conference in Norman.

The OU coach said he studied several offenses and looked at college football’s top prospects. He studied style, presentation, sequences, game plans, personnel and analytics on overall efficiency, explosiveness, first downs, third downs, red zone efficiency and points by possession.

“All I kept looking at — and there were many excellent candidates to whom we selected — Ben continued to be at the top of the list,” Venables said.

“A short CV, but I look at quality, not necessarily quantity. »

Arbuckle only called plays for three seasons — one in western Kentucky and the last two in Washington state.

What stood out was his quarterback development.

Former Wazzu quarterback Cam Ward finished fourth nationally in passing offense (311.3 ypg) and sixth in total offense (323.3 ypg) in 2023. He currently leads Miami’s offense .

At Western Kentucky, Arbuckle coached Austin Reed to a national record 4,746 passing yards. Reed is currently with the Chicago Bears. Arbuckle also mentored Bailey Zappe at Houston Baptist. Zappe was with the Cleveland Browns earlier this season.

Washington State’s John Mateer has thrown for 3,139 yards with 29 touchdowns and seven interceptions this season. He has completed 70% of his passes in six of his last eight games.

“You have to be able to identify (quarterbacks), no doubt, but more importantly, once you get them, you have to grow them and develop them and put them in a position to be successful,” Venables said . “So he’s had four really good ones where he’s coached full-time, and they’ve all had success at the elite level. Break national records. A lot of people have good players but they don’t necessarily bring out the best in them. So I view that as an important thing, for sure. But the quality of what he was able to do with his opportunities, he hit it out of the park.

How did Arbuckle get the most out of the shifts he had?

“Whether they’re really athletic, dual-threat guys or just a pure passer, you see him build on their strengths and promote their strengths, develop through their weaknesses and protect them as well,” Venables said. “But helping them make quick, smart decisions, setting them up to succeed, without asking them to do things they’re not good at.” So these are the things that stood out the most.

Arbuckle arrived in Norman Tuesday evening and was scheduled to meet with players and staff Wednesday.

Venables confirmed what Monday’s press release announcing Arbuckle’s hiring said about the rest of OU’s offensive assistant coaches: “We will retain them all.”

Arbuckle will begin his transition to OU coaching this month, but will not participate in bowl preparation. The Sooners will know their destination and opponent on Sunday.