SoonersWednesday, November 4
Jason Witten takes over as Oklahoma's play-caller for the final four games
The Good Day Norman team
Jason Witten, the tight ends coach OU hired in January, now runs the offense. Venables chose him after evaluating his entire staff, and Witten will call plays against Florida, Ole Miss, Texas A&M and Missouri.
“I thought he was the most capable and ready and able to lead our guys in this role.”
Witten arrives with a long NFL career and a winning high school record
- 17
- seasons in the NFL
- 44-7
- record over five seasons as Liberty Christian's head coach
- 2
- state championships at Liberty Christian
Sources: Stormin in Norman, Newsday
He got the nod over Kevin Wilson, the assistant head coach for offense, who has coordinator experience at OU from 2002-10. Witten's high school record is the other half of his résumé. With four games left, OU needs two wins to clinch a bowl game.
- Replaces: Ben Arbuckle, fired Monday
- Bowl math: two wins keep a 27-year bowl streak alive
- Venables on Witten's communication skills: “elite”
Witten went from new tight ends coach to play-caller in 10 months
- JanuaryOklahoma hires Witten as tight ends coach.
- Nov. 2Arbuckle is fired and Witten takes over play-calling.
- Nov. 3Venables says Witten has “over-exceeded our expectations.”
Sources: OU Daily, Stormin in Norman, USA TODAY
Sources: OU Daily, Stormin in Norman, USA TODAY, Newsday