Brent Venables praises Jason Witten after Sooners top Gators

Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables fired

Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables fired former offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle after a home loss to South Carolina Gamecocks.

Oklahoma's CFP and SEC title hopes end

Oklahoma dropped to 4-4 in 2026 after the loss, ending CFP and SEC title hopes.

Poor offense under Venables

Oklahoma's offense has been a weakness under Venables for three years.

Jason Witten promoted to interim coordinator

Brent Venables elevated tight ends coach Jason Witten to interim offensive coordinator ahead of Florida game.

Witten's first game as play-caller

Jason Witten led Oklahoma to a 23-7 victory over Florida Gators in his first game as play-caller.

Venables praises Witten's ambition

Venables said Witten's ambition and excitement for the opportunity were genuine and not fabricated.

“Bragging on his ambition, and his excitement for the opportunity, you can't fabricate that”

Witten's offensive performance

Witten's offense looked more balanced, thought out, and complementary in the game.

Venables calls game 'complete'

Venables described the game as 'really complete' with 'complementary football'.

“Really complete performance”

Oklahoma's stats in game

Oklahoma threw for 207 yards and ran for 144 yards in Witten's first game.

Witten's impact on Sooner Nation

Sooner Nation was impressed by Witten's performance as a future NFL Hall of Famer.

Witten's audition for full-time role

Witten made a strong early statement in his audition for the full-time offensive coordinator role.

Witten's potential for role

Witten may not be the favorite to land the job but will make things interesting if offense continues to play sound football.

Game details

The game took place on November 7, 2026 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida.

Venables' reaction

Venables walked on the field after the game with Florida Gators head coach Jon Sumrall.

Witten's future role

Witten will need to improve over the next three weeks to secure the offensive coordinator role.