Bob Stoops endorses the bold move: Jason Witten brings NFL Experience... and a long-awaited reunion with DeMarco Murray
In the ever-evolving world of college football, where coaching hires can make or break a program's trajectory, the University of Oklahoma has made headlines with its latest addition to the staff.
The Sooners are finalizing a deal to bring in NFL legend Jason Witten as their new tight ends coach, a move that has sparked both excitement and skepticism among fans and analysts alike.
Witten, a future Hall of Famer known for his illustrious 17-year career primarily with the Dallas Cowboys, brings a wealth of playing experience but no prior coaching background at the collegiate or professional level.
However, one voice that carries immense weight in Sooner Nation—former head coach Bob Stoops—has come out strongly in support of the hire during a recent appearance on KREF's "Stoops Review" podcast.
Stoops, who led Oklahoma to a national championship in 2000 and compiled a remarkable 191-48 record over 18 seasons, emphasized the value of real-world experience over traditional coaching resumes.
Drawing from his own history, Stoops highlighted how Witten's extensive NFL tenure immediately qualifies him for the role.
"To me, everybody has experiences, and experiences count. Jason Witten and his experiences are major," Stoops said.
"That immediately qualifies him. Just like when I started here in '99, I hired Jonathan Hayes as my tight end coach. Jonathan had never coached a day in his life, but he played it at a—you know, you play in the NFL, I think Jonathan played for 12 years—you know a little bit about playing tight end."
This comparison to Jonathan Hayes is particularly poignant.
Hayes, a former tight end who played 12 seasons in the NFL with teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers, joined Stoops' staff in 1999 without any coaching experience.
Under Hayes' guidance, Oklahoma's tight ends flourished, contributing to the team's offensive prowess during the early 2000s.
Stoops sees a similar potential in Witten, noting his intelligence and longevity in the league.
"And I'm sure Jason is a bright, smart guy, and played 16-17 years. He knows how to play tight end, and he'll be able to relay that. He's had a lot of great teachers and coaches through the years, so I think that experience is great," Stoops continued.
Adding even more intrigue to the hire is the reunion it creates on the Oklahoma staff. Witten will team up once again with his former Dallas Cowboys teammate DeMarco Murray, who has served as the Sooners' running backs coach since 2020.
The two played together in Dallas from 2011 to 2014, forming a key part of the Cowboys' offense during those years.
This Cowboys-to-Sooners pipeline brings a nostalgic and potentially powerful dynamic to Norman, with Murray's familiarity with Witten likely fostering immediate chemistry and collaboration between the running backs and tight ends rooms.
Witten's resume speaks for itself.
A third-round pick out of Tennessee in 2003, he quickly became one of the most reliable tight ends in NFL history, amassing 1,228 receptions for 13,046 yards and 74 touchdowns. He was an 11-time Pro Bowler, a two-time First-Team All-Pro, and a key figure in the Cowboys' offense under coaches like Bill Parcells, Wade Phillips, and Jason Garrett.
Beyond statistics, Witten is renowned for his work ethic, leadership, and football IQ—qualities that Stoops believes will translate seamlessly to coaching.
Stoops' philosophy boils down to evaluating the quality of one's experiences: "Anyhow, I always just try to evaluate people's experiences and was the experiences they've had been good, positive, or not. To me, that's what really matters."
This endorsement comes at a crucial time for Oklahoma football.
The Sooners, under current head coach Brent Venables, have been navigating the challenges of the SEC transition and aiming to rebuild their offensive identity.
The tight end position has been a focal point, with the team seeking to develop talent that can excel in both blocking and receiving roles. Witten's arrival, combined with his reunion with Murray, could provide a fresh perspective and instant credibility.
Fans who initially questioned the hire due to Witten's lack of coaching experience may find reassurance in Stoops' words, as he draws parallels to successful precedents in the program's history.
This hire could prove to be a masterstroke, blending tradition with innovation and leveraging old NFL bonds for new success in college football.
In conclusion, Bob Stoops' ringing endorsement on KREF underscores a timeless truth in sports: experience, when harnessed correctly, can be the ultimate teacher.
Jason Witten's transition from gridiron great to coaching prodigy—now reuniting with DeMarco Murray—may just be the spark Oklahoma needs to reclaim its dominance.
With Stoops' seal of approval, Sooner fans have every reason to be optimistic about what lies ahead.