Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

Cowboys Make Decision On Jason Witten For Coaching Position

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Jan 27, 2025 10:57 PM ET

Speculation of Jason Witten coaching the Dallas Cowboys didn't materialize.

The former Cowboys tight end was floated as a potential candidate to replace Mike McCarthy. Witten was also discussed for another assistant role before Dallas hired offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer as its new head coach.

As Schottenheimer rounds out a staff, it reportedly won't include Witten.

"Despite his name making the rounds during the Cowboys' coaching search, with a belief he'd potentially be added as a position coach in 2025, Jason Witten is not expected to join his former team in any capacity this coming season, per owner and general manager Jerry Jones," Cowboys.com's Patrik Walker wrote. "Though Jones continues to praise the future Hall of Famer as a 'great coach' and mentor."

While Witten has never coached at the NFL or collegiate level, he recently led Liberty Christian High School to its second straight Texas state championship.

In November, Jones said Witten is "without hesitation" capable of becoming an NFL head coach. He likened the 11-time Pro Bowler to Dan Campbell.

ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 24: Jason Witten #82 of the Dallas Cowboys warms up on the field prior to the game against the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium on November 24, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

"Jason is very sophisticated when it comes to understanding football and all the nuances," Jones said. "But more important than anything, he really does understand the physical and the mentality of being physical and that part of it. Without a question, he could become (an NFL coach). He has extraordinary work ethic. ... He can be a top coach."

Last week, Hall of Fame defensive lineman DeMarcus Ware also mentioned Campbell when endorsing his former teammate for the Cowboys job.

"I think Jason Witten can do the same thing for the Dallas Cowboys," Ware told Rich Eisen in reference to Campbell turning around the Detroit Lions. "He has a no-nonsense mentality. Get the guys on the right page from a discipline standpoint. He knows about the offensive game. Get him a good defensive guy."

Witten won't return to his old team this year. The Cowboys instead gave Schottenheimer his first head coaching opportunity after 27 years of coaching.

“We’re gonna win. We're gonna win a championship," Schottenheimer said on Monday. "Otherwise, why are we even doing it?"

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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