What is Jason Witten bringing as an offensive play-caller?
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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.
Witten's playcalling experience is limited to the high school ranks. However, he was a part of some of the best offenses as a player in the NFL while with the Dallas Cowboys. Over 17 seasons, Witten built a Hall of Fame career, finishing fourth all-time in receptions in league history. He was the model of consistency and durability during his playing career, playing fewer than 15 games just once in his career; that was his rookie season.
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As head coach at Legacy Christian, his offense averaged 44.5 points per game over the final five years of his tenure before he joined the Oklahoma staff last winter.
"He's over exceeded our expectations,"Venables said on Tuesday. "Just from a leadership, a cohesion, the improvement that he's helped us make at the tight end position. He's got incredible wealth of knowledge. His communication skills are elite. He's built trust and real relationships with our entire staff and our players... He makes people better."
If his time as an assistant and playcaller looks anything like his time as a player, the Oklahoma Sooners are getting a tough, knowledgeable offensive mind to lead the way. And Oklahoma needs all of that knowledge, experience, and toughness to get the Sooners back on track.
Who knows how his tenure is going to go as the interim offensive coordinator, but the Sooners need the mentality he brings. He's built a lot like head coach Brent Venables and brings that "run through a wall" and aggressive mentality to the offensive side of the ball.
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)
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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)
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Sooners Wire Staff Predictions for Oklahoma vs. Florida
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)
7/14
On3 analyst reveals who 'should' win against Oklahoma-Florida
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)
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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)
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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)
12/14
Sooners Wire Staff Predictions for Oklahoma vs. Florida
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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