Oregon Ducks might have put final nail in coffin of Oklahoma State’s long tenured coach
College football seemingly just started, but it’s never too early to talk about the coaching carousel.
While Florida lost a home game to in-state Group of Five program South Florida last weekend in an utter fourth quarter collapse, Billy Napier’s hot seat cannot burn with the same intensity that Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy’s is.
The 58-year-old has remained at the helm of the Cowboys since 2005 and carried the program to incredible heights, including back-to-back Big 12 Championships in 2010 and 2011.
Following a 3-9 season last year and a 69-3 loss to No. 2 Oregon in Week Two, there are some within the state that think his replacement isn’t too far away.
Current Oklahoma Sooners offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle seems like an early name to keep an eye on if his offense continues to produce in the SEC.
“Some inside Oklahoma think Sooners offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle could be a target,” Bruce Feldman wrote in The Athletic. “Arbuckle, who turns 30 next week, has put a much-needed jolt into Oklahoma’s offense. In a 24-13 win against No. 15 Michigan last week, dynamic dual-threat QB John Mateer, who followed Arbuckle to Norman from Washington State, accounted for three touchdowns and helped the Sooners convert 9-of-17 third down tries.”
Arbuckle is one of the brightest young offensive minds and has seen his stock skyrocket as a coach in recent years, starting at Houston Baptist in 2018 before getting his break in 2022 at Western Kentucky.
His Hilltoppers offense posted prolific numbers, finishing No. 6 nationally in yards per game, No. 1 in passing yards, and No. 15 in points per game.
Oklahoma’s offense has been a bit more versatile this season with the combination of Arbuckle and Mateer.
Mateer has passed for 662 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for another three scores in the early stages of his stay in Norman.
As for the Oklahoma State, if they do decide to part ways with Gundy, the 21-year head man will be owed a $15 million buyout.