Fri Sep 19 23:30:00 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
This article highlights the rapid rise of Oklahoma Sooners offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle, from an unpaid volunteer at Houston Baptist to a potential head coaching candidate in the SEC. It details his collaborative past with Zach Kittley (now head coach at Florida Atlantic) and quarterback Bailey Zappe (Cleveland Browns), emphasizing their shared dreams. Arbuckle’s success in transforming offenses at Western Kentucky, Washington State, and now Oklahoma, coupled with his high-energy coaching style, has made him a sought-after name in college football, drawing comparisons to Lincoln Riley. He’s credited with the Sooners’ offensive turnaround and the development of quarterback John Mateer. While his future remains uncertain, the article suggests that a head coaching opportunity may be imminent for the rising star.
**News Article:**
**From Uber Eats Driver to Head Coaching Candidate: Ben Arbuckle’s Meteoric Rise**
**NORMAN, OK -** In the cutthroat world of college football, few stories are as captivating as the ascent of Ben Arbuckle. Just a few years ago, he was a volunteer coach at Houston Baptist University, balancing football with Uber Eats deliveries. Today, at just 30 years old, he’s the offensive coordinator for the Oklahoma Sooners and a potential head coaching candidate, garnering comparisons to coaching legends.
Arbuckle’s journey began in a cramped meeting room alongside Zach Kittley (now the head coach at Florida Atlantic) and quarterback Bailey Zappe (Cleveland Browns), where the trio shared dreams of future success. Now, those dreams are materializing, especially for Arbuckle, who has rapidly become one of the most respected offensive minds in the nation.
Since arriving in Norman, Arbuckle has revitalized the Sooners’ offense, transforming a unit that ranked 124th in yards per play last season into a high-powered attack currently ranked 28th in yards per game. His influence on quarterback John Mateer has been particularly notable, with some even touting Mateer as a Heisman Trophy contender.
“He loves to coach. He coaches every snap. I value that,” said Sooners coach Brent Venables. “That’s why they call us ‘Coach,’ because we’re not just there to observe, man, we need to be an active participant.”
Arbuckle’s impact extends beyond the stat sheet. Known for his high-energy coaching style, he injects a vibrant atmosphere into practices and sidelines, earning the respect and admiration of his players.
His success has caught the attention of programs nationwide. Recent reports have linked him to potential head coaching vacancies, including UCLA.
“Ben’s a stud, man. I hope he’s in a position, at some point, to become a head coach, because I think he’ll be a really good one,” said Sooners general manager Jim Nagy.
Whether Arbuckle remains at Oklahoma or pursues a head coaching opportunity, one thing is clear: his future is bright, and his story is a testament to hard work, vision, and the power of pursuing a dream.
First Piper 