Jason Witten is officially stepping into the college coaching arena - and Oklahoma is making a clear investment in his transition from NFL legend to collegiate position coach.
On Friday, the University of Oklahoma’s Board of Regents approved a two-year contract for Witten, who was hired earlier this month to join Brent Venables’ staff as the Sooners’ new tight ends coach. The deal runs through January 31, 2028, and will pay Witten $675,000 annually for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. There’s also a notable incentive: a $90,000 bonus if Oklahoma captures a College Football Playoff national championship during his tenure.
That’s a significant commitment for a first-time college coach, but Witten’s résumé speaks for itself. A 17-year NFL career, primarily with the Dallas Cowboys, has him on a fast track to Canton.
Since retiring in 2020, he’s spent the past five years building a winning culture as head coach at Liberty Christian School in Argyle, Texas. Now, he’s bringing that leadership - and a deep understanding of the tight end position - to Norman.
This hire isn’t just about star power. It’s about fit.
Witten’s reputation as one of the most disciplined, detail-oriented players of his era aligns with the culture Venables is cultivating at OU. And with the Sooners making the jump to the SEC, adding a voice like Witten’s to the locker room could be a valuable asset - both on the field and in recruiting battles.
Witten’s contract was just one of several coaching moves approved during the Board of Regents meeting, held at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art in Norman.
The university also locked in extensions for several key assistants, signaling continuity and stability across the staff. That list includes offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh, defensive tackles coach Todd Bates, defensive ends coach Miguel Chavis, cornerbacks coach Jay Valai, safeties coach Brandon Hall, wide receivers coach Emmett Jones, and inside linebackers coach Nate Dreiling.
Each of those assistants has played a role in shaping the Sooners' identity under Venables, and their extensions suggest the program is doubling down on the progress it’s made. But it’s Witten’s addition that turns the most heads - a future Hall of Famer stepping into the college game with fresh energy and a point to prove.
It’s not every day a player of Witten’s caliber transitions into a Power Five coaching staff. Oklahoma’s betting that his experience, leadership, and football IQ will translate - and help elevate a tight end room that’s looking to make noise in the SEC.