Don’t be surprised if, a few years from now, there’s a bigger announcement on the way for former Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten.
Witten was announced as the tight ends coach for the University of Oklahoma on Thursday, January 15, making the leap after 4 years as the head coach at Liberty Christian School in Argyle, Texas.
The news of Witten’s move to the college ranks one week ago but wasn’t made official by the school until January 15. Witten went 46-15 in 4 seasons at Liberty Christian, winning consecutive state championships in 2023 and 2024.
“Oklahoma, fresh off a College Football Playoff season, is looking to upgrade its tight end room after playing converted linebacker Jaren Kanak in that position this season,” Football Scoop’s Zach Barnett and John Brice wrote on January 8. “Kanak is now out of eligibility, and backups Carson Kent and Kaden Helms have entered the transfer portal. Joe Jon Finley, a former Sooner tight end and coach at the position since 2021, was relieved of duties on Jan. 1.”
Oklahoma blew a 17-0 lead against Alabama on the way to a 34-24 loss in the opening round of the College Football Playoff.
Witten One of Greatest Cowboys of All Time
Witten was a third round pick by the Cowboys in the 2003 NFL draft and played 17 seasons in the NFL — 16 for the Cowboys and a final season for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020. He’s the Cowboys career leader in receptions, receiving yards, games played and was a 4-time NFL All-Pro and 11-time Pro Bowler.
He’s also a Pro Football Hall of Fame finalist in 2026.
“I know what the expectations and standards of Oklahoma Football are and I’m excited to lean into and embrace those,” Witten said. “But along the way, it’s also a great privilege to positively impact young men – to help them become the best players they can be and the best men they can be. That’s one of the things I respect the most about Coach (Brent) Venables — that those things aren’t mutually exclusive. You can take on the responsibility to lead men but also be highly competitive in your craft.”
Key to College Job May Be Witten’s 5-Star Son
It’s not a stretch to say Witten’s job at Oklahoma may have been tied in large part to the fact that one of his sons, Cooper Witten, is considered one of the top high school football recruits in the nation.
Cooper Witten, 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, is the No. 1 linebacker and No. 12 overall recruit in the Class of 2027, according to 247Sports, and while he has offers from almost every major college football program, all signs point to him eventually playing for the Sooners.
“Athletic, physical, likely role-versatile second-level defensive piece who plays with a relentless motor,’” 247Sports recruiting analyst Gabe Brooks wrote about Cooper Witten. “Natural football IQ, awareness, instincts, etc. are obvious on tape and on the elite camp circuit … Owns a uniquely strong football pedigree. Also boasts the multi-phase participation and multi-sport athletic background so frequently seen in eventual NFL Draft candidates across the position spectrum, but especially in the defensive back seven.”
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Former Cowboys All-Pro Announces Massive Career Move appeared first on Heavy Sports.