NORMAN — It’s official.
Oklahoma football announced Thursday it has hired former Dallas Cowboys great Jason Witten as tight ends coach. Witten is a former All-Pro tight end who played 17 seasons in the NFL and guided two state championship teams in his five-year tenure as a high school head football coach in Texas.
Witten replaces former position coach Joe Jon Finley, who was fired on Jan. 1.
“Jason has been a giant in the game of football for a long time with what he’s accomplished and represented on the field,” coach Brent Venables said in a release. “He’s one of the best to ever do it. I’m excited about the positive impact he’ll have on our football program and all of our players.”
Over his 17-year NFL career, Witten compiled 1,228 receptions for 13,046 yards and 74 touchdowns. A two-time first-team All-Pro and 11-time Pro Bowler, he ranks fourth all-time in NFL receptions.
Since retiring from the NFL following the 2020 season, Witten has served as head coach at Liberty Christian School in Argyle, Texas, where he led the Warriors to consecutive state titles in 2023 and ’24.
Witten said in a release recognizing Venables as one of the best leaders in football piqued his interest in the job.
“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 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. I try to uphold those standards on and off the field.”
Colton Sulley covers the Oklahoma Sooners for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Colton? He can be reached at csulley@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @colton_sulley. Support Colton’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: What Jason Witten said about joining OU football as tight ends coach
