Bob Stoops raves about Jason Witten's knowledge heading into Saturday
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Bob Stoops raves about Jason Witten's knowledge heading into Saturday
Jaron Spor, Sooners Wire·Sooners Wire
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2 min read
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Oklahoma Soonerstight end coach Jason Witten is getting his first chance at calling plays at the collegiate level. Witten was named interim offensive coordinator after the Sooners parted ways with Ben Arbuckle on Monday.
The legendary former Dallas Cowboys tight end spent five seasons coaching high school football in the Dallas area. He also called plays during his tenure there that saw him take one of the worst programs to two state championships. But calling plays in the SEC is very different from calling plays at the high school level.
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Still, former Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops likes this move by Brent Venables.
"You're talking about not just a new voice, but a strong, powerful voice,"Stoops said."A voice that has experience, has won at the highest level... You don't spend 17, 18 years in the NFL and not garner a lot of knowledge. There's a lot of knowledge that's going to sink into you. I believe he has that... I can see the passion he has for it, and I like that."
Witten's experience at the highest level of football gives Oklahoma a valuable resource as it looks to get its offense back on track. His time in the NFL, combined with his success building a high school program, gives him a unique perspective to bring to the role. Now, he has an opportunity to translate that experience into results on one of college football's biggest stages.
The challenge begins against theFlorida Gators, where the Sooners will need to show signs of progress under their new play caller. Witten doesn't have to reinvent everything overnight, but finding ways to get John Mateer and the offense playing with confidence would be an important first step. If his leadership and energy can provide the spark Oklahoma has been missing, this change could give the Sooners a foundation to build on for the rest of the season.
Tight end coach Jason Witten walks on the field during an Oklahoma (OU) football practice in Norman, Okla., on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.
(NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
Oklahoma tight ends coach Jason Witten during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the South Carolina Gamecocks at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. South Carolina won 42-25.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Oklahoma tight ends coach Jason Witten wears the Golden Hat following the Red River Rivalry college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Texas Longhorn at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, Texas, Saturday, Oct., 10, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners tight ends coach Jason Witten wears the Golden hat and celebrates with Oklahoma Sooners tight end Hayden Hansen (89) after the game against the Texas Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 4, 2026; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners tight end coach Jason Witten reacts during the game against the UTEP Miners at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 4, 2026; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners tight end coach Jason Witten reacts during the game against the UTEP Miners at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 4, 2026; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables (right) speaks with tight ends coach Jason Witten before the game against the UTEP Miners at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oklahoma tight ends coach Jason Witten runs a drill with Jacob Jordan, left, during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
Oklahoma tight ends coach Jason Witten is pictured during the University of Oklahoma Sooners Spring Game at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday April 18, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
Apr 18, 2026; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners tight ends coach Jason Witten watches during the Oklahoma Spring Game at Gaylord Family Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Apr 18, 2026; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners tight ends coach Jason Witten greets wide receiver Eli Merck (89) during the Oklahoma Spring Game at Gaylord Family Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oklahoma tight ends coach Jason Witten, left, talks with coach Brent Venables during a Sooners football spring practice in Norman, Okla., Thursday, April 9, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
Oklahoma tight ends coach Jason Witten works with players during a Sooners football spring practice in Norman, Okla., Thursday, April 9, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
Oklahoma tight ends coach Jason Witten, left, talks with coach Brent Venables during a Sooners football spring practice in Norman, Okla., Thursday, April 9, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
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Photos of Oklahoma interim offensive coordinator Jason Witten
Tight end coach Jason Witten walks on the field during an Oklahoma (OU) football practice in Norman, Okla., on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.
(NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
1/14
Photos of Oklahoma interim offensive coordinator Jason Witten
Tight end coach Jason Witten walks on the field during an Oklahoma (OU) football practice in Norman, Okla., on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.
(NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
2/14
Photos of Oklahoma interim offensive coordinator Jason Witten
Oklahoma tight ends coach Jason Witten during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the South Carolina Gamecocks at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. South Carolina won 42-25.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos of Oklahoma interim offensive coordinator Jason Witten
Oklahoma tight ends coach Jason Witten wears the Golden Hat following the Red River Rivalry college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Texas Longhorn at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, Texas, Saturday, Oct., 10, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
4/14
4 players to watch for the Sooners against the Gators
Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners tight ends coach Jason Witten wears the Golden hat and celebrates with Oklahoma Sooners tight end Hayden Hansen (89) after the game against the Texas Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
5/14
Photos of Oklahoma interim offensive coordinator Jason Witten
Sep 4, 2026; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners tight end coach Jason Witten reacts during the game against the UTEP Miners at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
6/14
5 reasons Oklahoma can beat Florida on Saturday
Sep 4, 2026; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners tight end coach Jason Witten reacts during the game against the UTEP Miners at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos of Oklahoma interim offensive coordinator Jason Witten
Sep 4, 2026; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables (right) speaks with tight ends coach Jason Witten before the game against the UTEP Miners at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
8/14
Photos of Oklahoma interim offensive coordinator Jason Witten
Oklahoma tight ends coach Jason Witten runs a drill with Jacob Jordan, left, during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
9/14
Photos of Oklahoma interim offensive coordinator Jason Witten
Oklahoma tight ends coach Jason Witten is pictured during the University of Oklahoma Sooners Spring Game at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday April 18, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
10/14
Photos of Oklahoma interim offensive coordinator Jason Witten
Apr 18, 2026; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners tight ends coach Jason Witten watches during the Oklahoma Spring Game at Gaylord Family Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
11/14
Photos of Oklahoma interim offensive coordinator Jason Witten
Apr 18, 2026; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners tight ends coach Jason Witten greets wide receiver Eli Merck (89) during the Oklahoma Spring Game at Gaylord Family Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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What is Jason Witten bringing as an offensive play-caller?
Oklahoma tight ends coach Jason Witten, left, talks with coach Brent Venables during a Sooners football spring practice in Norman, Okla., Thursday, April 9, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
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Photos of Oklahoma interim offensive coordinator Jason Witten
Oklahoma tight ends coach Jason Witten works with players during a Sooners football spring practice in Norman, Okla., Thursday, April 9, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
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Photos of Oklahoma interim offensive coordinator Jason Witten
Oklahoma tight ends coach Jason Witten, left, talks with coach Brent Venables during a Sooners football spring practice in Norman, Okla., Thursday, April 9, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
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