Former Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten is the new offensive coordinator and play caller for the University of Oklahoma for the rest of the season. Witten was hired as the Sooners’ tight ends coach before the season.
Oklahoma fired Ben Arbuckle after a 4-4 start to the season. Oklahoma made the College Football Playoff last season. This year, they need to beat two of Florida, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, and Missouri to reach a bowl game. All four of those teams have been ranked at different points throughout the season.
“Coach Witten will serve as offensive coordinator and play-caller for the remainder of the season,” Oklahoma coach Brent Venables said in a statement. “Beginning today, he will lead our offensive staff in preparing a clear and focused plan that gives our players the best opportunity to execute with confidence.”
Arbuckle’s offense ranked 111th among 138 FBS teams in total offense in his second season at the school. Last season started off strong, before starting quarterback John Mateer was injured. OU was still able to salvage the season and make the Playoff.
Since opening the season with a 51-0 win over UTEP, their highest-scoring game was a 27-24 win over then-No. 1 Texas in the Red River rivalry on a game-ending field goal. They have scored 14 points or less four times, including one of their wins.
“I believe we still have meaningful opportunities ahead and a responsibility to maximize them,” Venables said. “Our expectations remain high, and our commitment to meeting them is unwavering.”
The 31-year-old Arbuckle came to Oklahoma from Washington State, where he had been the offensive coordinator and play caller for two seasons. The Cougars in 2024, with Mateer at quarterback, ranked sixth nationally with 36.6 points a game, and were 17th with 442.8 yards per game.
Arbuckle took over an Oklahoma team that in 2024 had an exceptional defense, but ranked 15th out of 16 SEC teams in school offense and yards in its first SEC season.
“I want to thank Ben and all he contributed to us over the last two years,” Venables said. “He is a fantastic coach, leader, and teammate, and a great man. It didn’t work out like we all wanted it to, but I deeply appreciate the investment, love, and passion he poured into our program. We wish his family nothing but the best.”
The Sooners play at No. 25 Florida on Saturday.
Witten has previously coached high school football at Liberty Christian in Argyle, where he won Texas Associated of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) state championships in 2023 and ’24.
Witten, 44, played 17 seasons in the NFL and worked in the booth for ESPN’s Monday Night Football. Witten was one of the most productive tight ends in NFL history. He was drafted in the third round in 2003 out of the University of Tennessee.
Witten was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 2019. He’s still hoping to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame next year (he’s missed out on the golden jacket twice so far).
Witten has the most Pro Bowl selections of any player eligible for the Hall who has not yet been inducted. Witten has previously expressed just being grateful to be among the nominees
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