WSU Cougars OC leaves for same job with Oklahoma
Dec 2, 2024, 2:48 PM | Updated: 5:33 pm
The WSU Cougars walk through the tunnel at Lumen Field prior to the 2024 Apple Cup against the UW Huskies. (Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
(Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
On the same day they announced the firing of their defensive coordinator, the WSU Cougars lost their offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach to another program.
WSU Cougars coach Jake Dickert removes his defensive coordinator
Oklahoma announced Monday the hiring of WSU’s Ben Arbuckle as its next offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Arbuckle and the Sooners agreed on a three-year deal, according to ESPN senior college football writer Pete Thamel.
Ben Arbuckle named OU Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach
📝 https://t.co/murVH11ic8@arbuckle_ben | #OUDNA pic.twitter.com/wJp92pw0LN
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) December 3, 2024
The Cougars parted ways with defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Jeff Schmedding earlier in the day.
Arbuckle leaves Pullman after two strong seasons leading the Cougs’ offense. WSU was fourth in the country in passing yards (336.8 per game) and 37th in scoring (31.7) in 2023, and ranks 12th in points (36.8) and 22nd in total yards (440.4) this season.
Much of that success was due to the standout quarterback play of Cam Ward last season and John Mateer this year. Ward, a projected 2025 first-round NFL draft pick who transferred to Miami last offseason, was eighth in the country with 3,735 passing yards a season ago. Mateer has amassed a whopping 44 total touchdowns (29 passing and 15 rushing) and 3,965 yards (3,139 passing and 826 rushing) this season.
There’s been plenty of speculation on Mateer’s future with the expectation he will follow in Ward’s footsteps and enter the transfer portal after a standout season in Pullman. The redshirt sophomore quarterback has reportedly already received a $1 million NIL offer from another school.
The NCAA transfer portal opens Dec. 9 and Mateer has yet to declare his intentions to enter it, but Oklahoma now appears to be a top contender to secure his services if he does.
Before arriving at WSU, Arbuckle, a Canadian, Texas, native, spent two seasons at Western Kentucky, serving as the co-offensive coordinator and quarterback coach in 2022 and an offensive quality control coach in 2021.
The Cougs have lost three straight but finished the 2024 regular season bowl-eligible at 8-4.
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