Brent Venables
Head coach
Fifth season. Previously defensive coordinator at Clemson and Oklahoma, and a national champion coordinator before taking this job.
SEC · Norman, Oklahoma
Oklahoma Football Coaching Staff 2026
Head coach and coordinators
2026 record2-2
Coaching staff
OU coaches
Brent Venables enters a fifth season with both coordinators retained after Oklahoma's first playoff appearance under him.
Leadership
Offense
Ben Arbuckle
Offensive coordinator
Second season, having arrived from Washington State with quarterback John Mateer.
Defense
Todd Bates
Defensive coordinator
Fifth season, having come with Venables from Clemson in 2022.
Staff details reflect the 2026 season as announced by the program and the SEC. Rosters move through the transfer portal year-round, so check the official program site for the definitive list.
Staff coverage
Oklahoma listed coaching roles
This profile lists 3 staff members for Oklahoma. Responsibilities are grouped as follows: Defense: 1; Leadership: 1; Offense: 1.
Titles describe the published staff listing. They do not establish who calls plays or whether every support role is included.
FAQ
Oklahoma football coaching staff FAQs
Who is the head coach of Oklahoma?
Brent Venables is listed as head coach in the team profile reviewed on 2026-09-01.
Does this page list the entire football staff?
It contains 3 published staff entries. Recruiting, operations and other support roles may not be included; the page does not claim a complete staff directory.
Did Oklahoma keep its coordinators for 2026?
Yes. Ben Arbuckle stays on offence for a second season and Todd Bates on defence for a fifth, despite Oklahoma reaching the College Football Playoff.
Why did Oklahoma hire Ben Arbuckle as offensive coordinator?
He arrived from Washington State in 2025 and brought quarterback John Mateer with him, a package deal that immediately reshaped Oklahoma's offence. Retaining both for a second season together was a priority after the 2025 breakthrough.
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