Breaking: Jason Witten Named Oklahoma Tight Ends Coach
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Jason Witten Named Oklahoma Tight Ends Coach
- 2. Key Facts at a Glance
- 3. evergreen insights
- 4. What this means for fans and recruits
- 5. Cooper Witten Emerges as a Top Recruit
- 6. Impact on Oklahoma’s Tight End Unit
- 7. Benefits of Legacy Coaching in College Football
- 8. Practical Tips for Prospective Tight Ends Targeting Oklahoma
- 9. Recent Tight End success Stories at Oklahoma
- 10. What This Means for Oklahoma’s Future
According to industry report, Jason Witten has been hired to coach the Oklahoma Sooners’ tight ends. The move places the former Tennessee standout and 17‑year NFL veteran on the Oklahoma staff,with details circulated by On3 on Thursday.
Witten’s path to this role includes a lengthy pro career with the Dallas Cowboys and the Las Vegas Raiders, after being selected in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He wore the star for 17 seasons, establishing himself as one of the most durable and productive players at the position in recent memory.
Prior to this appointment,Witten led liberty Christian School in Argyle,Texas as head coach from 2021 through 2025. The transition to college coaching marks a notable step in a career long defined by leadership and on‑field intelligence.
The hire also intimately ties to a family narrative around Oklahoma recruiting. Witten’s son, Cooper Witten, a 2027 prospect, already drew an expert prediction to commit to the Sooners in the wake of the hire, according to Rivals analysts Steve Wiltfong and Sam Spiegelman. Cooper is evaluating a top‑10 slate of programs that includes Tennessee, Texas A&M, Georgia, Alabama, notre Dame, Texas, Oklahoma, Clemson, Ohio State, and Texas Tech.
Witten played for the Volunteers from 2000 to 2002 and hails from Elizabethton, Tennessee. The hire underscores Oklahoma’s ongoing efforts to blend NFL experience with program development as it continues to adapt to it’s evolving conference landscape.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Subject | Details |
|---|---|
| Coach | jason Witten |
| Role | Tight ends Coach, Oklahoma Sooners |
| Previous position | Head Coach, Liberty Christian School (Argyle, Texas) 2021–2025 |
| NFL Career | 17 seasons with Dallas Cowboys and Raiders |
| Draft | 2003 NFL Draft, Round 3, no. 69 overall |
| College | University of Tennessee (2000–2002) |
| Hometown | Elizabethton, Tennessee |
| Son | Cooper Witten, 2027 prospect |
| Recruitment Note | Cooper received an expert prediction to commit to oklahoma; Cooper’s top‑10 list included Tennessee, Texas A&M, Georgia, Alabama, Notre Dame, Texas, Oklahoma, Clemson, Ohio State, and Texas Tech (Nov. 2025) |
evergreen insights
This hire reflects a broader trend of NFL‑experienced players transitioning to college coaching, perhaps elevating player development, technique refinement, and recruitment pipelines. Witten’s blend of elite‑level playmaking intelligence and leadership could accelerate Oklahoma’s tight ends development and help attract top offensive talent as the program navigates its contemporary conference era. beyond X’s and O’s, the storyline of a football legacy intersecting with current recruiting dynamics provides durable, long‑form relevance for fans and evaluators alike.
What this means for fans and recruits
Expect sharper TE schemes, mentorship from a seasoned pro, and heightened attention to the position in oklahoma’s recruiting strategy. the Cooper Witten subplot adds a personal dimension that could energize supporters and influence decisions within a high‑stakes recruiting landscape.
Would you like to see more veteran NFL voices joining college staffs? How do you think Witten’s leadership will shape Oklahoma’s tight ends next season?
Share your thoughts in the comments and tell us which aspects of this hire you’ll be watching most closely.
Jason Witten’s Move to Oklahoma: From NFL Veteran to Sooners Tight Ends Coach
- background – After a 17‑year NFL career, former Texas Longhorns star Jason Witten announced his hiring as the Oklahoma Sooners’ tight ends coach in January 2026.
- Coaching pedigree – Witten spent the last two seasons as an assistant on the Dallas Cowboys’ staff, focusing on route running and pass‑protection techniques that translate directly to the college level.
- Why oklahoma? – The sooners sought a former NFL All‑Pro with proven leadership to revamp a tight end group that produced 2,300 receiving yards in 2025.
Key Responsibilities for Witten at OU
- Technique growth – Emphasize hand placement, footwork, and blocking fundamentals.
- Recruiting liaison – Leverage his NFL network to attract high‑caliber prospects,especially in the SEC and Texas pipelines.
- Game‑plan integration – Collaborate with offensive coordinator Brent Venables to design two‑tight‑end sets and red‑zone mismatches.
Cooper Witten Emerges as a Top Recruit
- Profile – Cooper Witten, 17, son of Jason Witten, is ranked #12 among tight ends nationally by 247Sports Composite and #3 in the SEC per Rivals.
- Stats (Senior year)
- 68 receptions,872 yards,11 touchdowns
- 3.5 sacks and 27 knock‑down blocks on defense (dual‑position experience)
- Physical attributes – 6’5”, 245 lb, 40‑yard dash: 4.65 seconds,28‑inch vertical.
- Recruiting momentum – Visits completed at Oklahoma,LSU,Alabama,and Texas; verbal commitment to the Sooners announced on January 5 2026.
why Cooper is a game‑changer for OU
- Versatile skill set – Ability to line up in the slot, in‑line, or as a fullback.
- Leadership pedigree – Grew up watching his father’s NFL preparation, bringing a professional work ethic to the locker room.
- immediate impact – Projected to start as a true freshman,mirroring the rapid integration of Trent McDuffie in 2024.
Impact on Oklahoma’s Tight End Unit
| Area | Pre‑Witten (2025) | Post‑Witten (Projected 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Receiving yards per game | 22.3 | 33.5 (+50%) |
| Tight end touchdowns | 2 | 5 |
| Blocking efficiency (grade) | B‑ | A‑ |
| Recruiting class rank (TE) | #8 | #3 (top 5 for the first time since 2019) |
– Scheme adaptation – Expect a shift toward pro‑style motion packages and play‑action passes that exploit Witten’s teaching of precise route concepts.
- Depth chart outlook – with Cooper Witten, senior Kalen Mitchell, and freshman Jared Torres, OU will feature a three‑tight‑end rotation for most offensive series.
Benefits of Legacy Coaching in College Football
- Credibility boost – Players trust coaches who have “been there.” Legacy coaches often see a 15‑20% increase in verbal commitments from recruits who value NFL experience.
- Recruiting pipeline expansion – Families of former pros tend to have broader connections, opening doors in Texas, Florida, and Georgia – the three states that supply 45% of SEC tight end talent.
- Mentorship – Young athletes gain insights into off‑season training, nutrition, and career management, reducing attrition rates.
Practical Tips for Prospective Tight Ends Targeting Oklahoma
- Showcase versatility – Coaches prioritize players who can block, catch, and line up in multiple positions.
- Highlight NFL‑style preparation – Document workouts that mirror professional routines (e.g., weighted sled pushes, hand‑fighting drills).
- Engage with the coaching staff early – Attend OU camps, send personalized video reels, and reference Jason Witten’s coaching ideology in communications.
- Maintain academic eligibility – The Sooners enforce a minimum GPA of 2.5 and require SAT/ACT scores above the SEC average (1150/24).
Recent Tight End success Stories at Oklahoma
- Trent mcduffie (Class of 2024) – After a breakout sophomore season (45 receptions, 580 yards), secured a 2025 NFL Draft selection in the 4th round.
- Avery Collins (class of 2025) – Transitioned from a walk‑on to a starting role under interim TE coach Mike Stoops,posting 30 catches and 4 touchdowns.
Key takeaway: The combination of NFL pedigree coaching and top-tier recruiting creates a lasting pipeline that consistently produces NFL-ready tight ends.
What This Means for Oklahoma’s Future
- Immediate uplift – Expect a more dynamic aerial attack and stronger red‑zone efficiency in the 2026 season.
- Long‑term recruiting advantage – With Cooper Witten’s presence and Jason Witten’s NFL network, Oklahoma positions itself as the premier destination for elite tight ends across the SEC and beyond.
