FRISCO — When the Dallas Cowboys' head coaching job opened, a number of candidates spun around the rumor mill with candidates varying from each level of football. Shockingly, that included the high school ranks.
The biggest name in that mix was University of Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, but the most surprising was undoubtedly Jason Witten. The legendary Cowboys tight end has held the head coaching post of Liberty Christian School in Argyle, Texas.
There, he has coached his sons and won a pair of state championships the last two seasons.
As the rumors swirled, an expected occurrence when this job becomes available, Cowboys fans moaned and groaned about the idea of a high school coach taking over an NFL team. But what the fanbase believed to be ridiculous was never in motion in the first place.
At the award ceremony for this year's Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year award, Witten finally spoke out as the rumors have finally settled.
"I did not talk to Jerry about it," Witten confirmed.
When the vibes shifted toward newly appointed head coach Brian Schottenheimer getting the job, modified theories pointed to Witten being offered a job on his staff. Those of course did not come to fruition.
However, he believes that jump will come in his future.
"Of course that's a long term goal of mine one day to get back there when the right opportunity come," Witten said. "When the right time and the right opportunity comes, I'm excited to embark on that next chapter."
Schottenheimer has mostly assembled his staff now with some familiar names picked from across the league and dipping into the college game. Witten voiced his support for his former franchise identifying the right target.
"I think they went through a thorough process for them and got to a place where they felt like Brian was the guy."
The Cowboys certainly hope that to be the case with Schottenheimer taking over at a crucial point for the franchise. Dak Prescott will return from injury, riding the final years of his prime with CeeDee Lamb still keying Dallas' arsenal of offensive weapons.
Schottenheimer will be calling plays for the first time since arriving at The Star, so a turnaround on that side of the ball will rest squarely on his shoulders.
As for Witten, he remains at the high school level, continuing to develop as a coach and working closely with his family.
