Sports

Oklahoma Fans Are Mad At Football Coach For Joking With Opponent About Failures After Loss

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iStockphoto / USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Oklahoma football coach Ben Arbuckle joked with Will Stein about a failed play after a loss to Kentucky.


The Oklahoma football season has not gone according to plan. The Sooners were expected to compete for a national championship. Instead, they are just 3-3 through six games.

The playoffs appear a pipe dream. They fell to 11th in the SEC standings after a loss to Kentucky. After the game, the offensive coordinator joked with Wildcats head coach Will Stein about his failures.

Offense has been the issue for Oklahoma. The unit ranks 113th nationally in scoring despite bringing back veteran signal caller John Mateer. Those struggles were again seen last Saturday.

Oklahoma lost another football game.

The Sooners scored just 13 points for the second time in three tries vs. SEC foes. Against Kentucky, they ran the ball for just 76 yards. Mateer threw three interceptions. Punter Jacob Ulbrich threw a fourth.

Oklahoma tried to get tricky a number of times in the first half. They needed a spark. Ulbrich’s pick came on a fake field goal. A few possessions earlier, Mateer was sacked on a failed flea flicker to prevent a potential touchdown drive.

Kentucky snuffed the trickery out. Will Stein said he knew what was coming. He erupted on the sidelines after the sack and pointed directly at the Oklahoma bench.

Stein was asked about his reaction after the fact. He denies taunting the Sooners in disrespect. Rather, he was having fun with a buddy.

Will Stein and Ben Arbuckle have history.

Stein called the Oklahoma offensive coordinator one of his closest friends in the business. The two exchanged texts after the game. The trick play was specifically referenced.

Arbuckle sent Stein a laughing emoji after seeing his reaction on the sidelines go viral. He probably didn’t want that text to go public.

Oklahoma fans are furious. The optics aren’t great given the offensive struggles. Check out the immediate online response below.

“I’m glad our OC thinks his (bad) play calls are funny. None of us are laughing.”

” I think people should send Arbuckle laughing emojis after watching his offense attempt to play college football.”

“This isn’t going to go over well with the fan base in Norman… nor should it.”

“FIRE HIM TONIGHT!”

Calls for Arbuckle’s job have been loud since last year. The offense ranked 79th in scoring a season ago. The Sooners made the playoffs in spite of the group.

Oklahoma has taken a step back in 2026. Again, the optics of the text exchange following a loss aren’t great. They’ll try to right the ship next Saturday against Mississippi State.