The Oklahoma Sooners bottomed out on offense in 2024. Regardless of a protection that was in a position to grasp powerful, particularly in opposition to a tough SEC schedule, OU’s offense did them no favors, posting the worst numbers throughout the board since 1998.
Accidents and inconsistent play from these within the lineup did not set anybody up for achievement, and Brent Venables was compelled to make a change simply eight video games into the season. That misfire by head coach Brent Venables was one of many first issues he needed to appropriate as soon as the 2024 common season ended.
Venables tabbed Washington State’s Ben Arbuckle as his new offensive coordinator, however OU stored the rest of the offensive teaching workers round.
A type of coaches is longtime offensive line coach Invoice Bedenbaugh, who’s the longest-tenured member of the workers. Bedenbaugh has seen rather a lot throughout his time in Norman, and he was requested about Arbuckle’s model of offense and character on Monday after fall camp follow. He gave an fascinating response, but it surely’s one that ought to give Sooner followers hope, regardless of some uncomfortable emotions.
“Love him, man,” Bedenbaugh mentioned after the Sooners wrapped up their follow. “The dude’s — he’s actually, actually good. I’ve informed individuals this earlier than they usually might not need to hear it — a younger Lincoln.”
Arbuckle and Riley have loads of similarities, specifically each working variations of the Air Raid offense and hailing from West Texas. What the Sooners appear to be on the sphere this season will look extra like what we noticed when Riley was calling the photographs, versus say, Josh Heupel or Jeff Lebby.
Whereas Oklahoma followers nonetheless can’t stand Riley and the best way he left, he emerged as a wonderful offensive thoughts with the Sooners, proving his prowess as a quarterback guru and high-level offensive play-caller. These are good indicators for the person presently answerable for the offense in Norman, Oklahoma.
Bedenbaugh praised Arbuckle additional, highlighting his knowledge past his years and his expertise calling performs and working his offense.
“He is good,” Bedenbaugh mentioned. “He understands every part. For a younger man, acquired nice command. He is aware of precisely what he desires everyone to do. It has been actually, actually good. After which simply bouncing concepts, possibly some issues that he hasn’t executed previously protection-wise, run-game clever. And if he likes it, we do it. If he would not, he would not. That is high quality. It is our offense, however finally he is the one in cost … Nevertheless it’s been superior, man. Nice dude, nice coach, educated. Has nice command of the entire offense. It is good. Like I’ve mentioned earlier than, I’ve informed you guys, I have been round a whole lot of good ones. He is pretty much as good as I believe there’s.”
Bedenbaugh has been round loads of wonderful offensive minds in his profession. That listing consists of Hal Mumme, Mike Leach, Sonny Dykes, Dana Holgorsen, Heupel, Riley and Lebby. He clearly sees related traits in what Arbuckle brings to the desk. That bodes nicely for the Sooners in 2025, as they appear to seek out their method again to the highest this season.
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