Jackson Arnold describes changes between Jeff Lebby, Seth Littrell as coordinator

Oklahoma QB Jackson Arnold is entering his second season and is already on his second offensive coordinator. That has led to more learning for him, even if it’s not a complete and total adjustment, going into his sophomore year.

Arnold spoke about his adjustment from Jeff Lebby to Seth Littrell in the Sooner offense during a media availability after practice on Monday. He didn’t see it as a massive shift rather than just having to pick up the different preferences that his new coordinator has over his former.

“Yeah, I wouldn’t say there was a big learning curve with Coach Littrell. But, obviously, he’s a different person than Lebby, a different personality,” said Arnold to SoonerScoop’s George Stoia. “Maybe calls some things different than Lebby. Focuses more on certain things than Lebby would”

“I wouldn’t say it’s a learning curve but, you know, just kind of getting to know Coach Littrell,” Arnold said.

Lebby had been the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the past two seasons before taking the head coaching job at Mississippi State this offseason. In that time, he called a pair of Top-40 units that posted an average of 37.3 points per game. That included the No. 4 offense in 2023 at 41.7 ppg..

With him leaving for Starkville, Littrell got the promotion to the same two roles. He did so after joining the staff in Norman last season as an offensive analyst. Joe Jon Finley is also working with him as a co-offensive coordinator along with the tight ends.

The hiring process actually happened early enough that Littrell and Arnold already have had a game together during the Alamo Bowl. It was the only start of the season for Arnold with QB Dillon Gabriel having transferred to Oregon by that time. In that 38-24 loss to Arizona, Oklahoma’s offense put up 562 total yards at seven yards per play. Arnold had his ebbs and flows within it in that starting debut, though, as he went 26-45 (57.8%) for 361 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions as part of a four-turnover outing.

Having a game together already will go a long way for the adjustment together between Arnold and Littrell. It’s now about taking that and continuing it over the next month going into their year together leading Oklahoma’s unit.

“Seeing what he likes and how he likes to call a game has been big for me in this fall camp,” said Arnold.

Brent Venables describes what is standing out about Arnold

The Oklahoma Sooners are moving on from Dillon Gabriel at quarterback with them replacing him with Jackson Arnold.

Now, with fall camp underway in Norman, Brent Venables described what has been standing out to him about their new young quarterback.

“I think we’re executing at a really high level right now,” Venables said. “Decision making is even better than it was. The guys around him are playing better. I think the offensive line is in a much better position than where we were in the spring. We had some guys again injured or weren’t here yet. I didn’t mention Geirean Hatchett. He’s done fantastic as well as an inside guy.”

“Overall, leadership is a comfortable position,” Venables said. “He has led these guys all summer and spring and so it’s a little more natural now.”

Arnold came to Oklahoma as a Five-Star+ recruit in 2023 according to the On3 Industry Ranking. He was the fourth-ranked quarterback and the eighth-ranked player overall in that recruiting cycle.