Oklahoma has made its first move. Now comes the decision that could shape its offense well beyond the final month of this season.
With Ben Arbuckle out and Jason Witten taking over as interim offensive coordinator, Brent Venables has given the former NFL tight end an opportunity to show what he can do with the entire offense. Oklahoma announced the change Monday, making Witten its play-caller for the remainder of the season.
There are reasons to be optimistic about that move. Witten has made an immediate impression on the tight ends, and his connection with the locker room matters.
Still, the Sooners need options.
One possibility would be retaining Witten as tight ends coach with an expanded role, potentially as passing game coordinator, while bringing in an experienced offensive coordinator. That is a possible staff structure, not an announced plan. If Witten changes the trajectory of the offense over these final four regular-season games, he could also make a legitimate case to keep the job.
That brings us to OUInsider OC Hot List 1.0.
These are 14 names worth evaluating, with their backgrounds, offensive production and the reasons each could—or could not—make sense. This is our initial watch list, not a report that Oklahoma will contact all 14 coaches. The order is not a ranking of their chances of getting the job.
Lastly, I want to make it clear that having the ability and the history of having developed a good run game, balanced offense or having some sort of background in the NFL is prerequisite for this list. I say that after speaking with a few sources about what could be and will be on Venables mind when combing through the OC’s that he might go after. Essentially, sources feel that BV will be wanting a run game and someone that can pass the ball with some balance overall. Why now Florida OC Buster Faulkner and Kansas OC Andy Kotelnicki were high on his list the first two go-rounds, along with now UNLV head coach Dan Mullen. All three have creative ways to run and pass the ball, along with being somewhat balanced in how they do so, historically.
1. Jason Witten
Currently: Oklahoma interim offensive coordinator/tight ends coach
Age: 44
Alma mater: Tennessee
Résumé: Oklahoma tight ends coach, 2026; elevated to interim offensive coordinator in November. Previously head coach at Liberty Christian School in Argyle, Texas, from 2021–25, following a 17-season NFL playing career.
Witten won state championships at Liberty Christian in 2023 and 2024. At Oklahoma, his position group has gone from one receiving touchdown in 2025 to five through eight games this season. Rocky Beers has four of those scores and leads SEC tight ends with 55.8 receiving yards per game. Hayden Hansen has the other touchdown.
WHY: Witten was new to coaching tight ends at the Power Four level, too. All he has done is help turn that group into arguably the best room on Oklahoma’s offense.
Beers, Hansen and others have made important plays. From what I have gathered, Witten has also helped expand how the tight ends fit into the scheme and the route concepts available to them.
The players seem to love him. Sources I have spoken with said players from other positions were pushing for Witten to get this opportunity. That is refreshing to hear, and it matters that Venables listened.
Witten already understands the personnel, the locker room and the expectations. If he can simplify things for the quarterback, improve the offense’s preparation and turn more possessions into touchdowns, there is a world in which he is Oklahoma’s offensive coordinator in 2027.
WHY NOT: The experience gap is real.
Coaching one position successfully and building an entire offensive game plan against SEC defenses are different responsibilities. So are calling the opening script and finding answers after a defense adjusts — though I feel like Witten can do that with his NFL pedigree and background what it is.
There will also be fans who immediately think of Seth Littrell when another internal promotion comes up. These are different circumstances, but Witten still has to establish that he is the right coordinator.
There will be more accomplished play-callers available, including coaches with NFL experience. Will they have the players’ backing? Will they fit the way Witten does? Those are fair questions.
So is whether four games provide enough evidence. Witten has an audition. Now he has to show what he can do with it.
2. Chip Kelly
Currently: Northwestern offensive coordinator
Age: 62
Alma mater: New Hampshire
Résumé: Northwestern OC, 2026; Las Vegas Raiders OC, 2025; Ohio State OC/QBs, 2024; UCLA head coach, 2018–23; San Francisco 49ers head coach, 2016; Philadelphia Eagles head coach, 2013–15; Oregon head coach, 2009–12, after serving as its OC in 2007–08. Earlier offensive coordinator at New Hampshire.
Kelly went 46–7 at Oregon, where his teams averaged 44.7 points per game and reached a BCS bowl in all four seasons. UCLA averaged a school-record 503.6 yards in 2022. At Ohio State in 2024, his offense averaged 35.7 points and 429.4 yards during a national championship season.
WHY: Oklahoma needs someone who can walk into the offensive meeting room with answers and enough experience to defend them.
Kelly would bring that.
His reputation began with tempo, but his offenses have always had more substance than simply snapping the ball quickly. The run game, spacing and ability to make a defense account for the entire formation are major parts of the appeal. And let me make a point of emphasis on the RUN GAME. Something Kelly has made his calling card over the years at every stop.
In my view, OU needs an offensive coordinator with enough credibility to challenge the defensive side of Venables when necessary. Jeff Lebby brought that kind of conviction in 2022 and 2023. Healthy disagreement can help a head coach, provided everyone understands the responsibilities.
Kelly also has a connection with some staffers at OU already. He was the OC for the Las Vegas Raiders with OU running back coach DeLand Mccullough on his staff as his RB coach in 2025. So there is a connection and familiarity there as well.
Kelly would not need to learn what it takes to prepare for a championship-level opponent.
WHY NOT: The biggest question is how the partnership would work.
How much autonomy would Kelly want? How would recruiting, personnel decisions and offensive staffing be handled? Venables and Kelly would need clear answers before this went anywhere.
I would also want to know what Kelly wants next. Another head-coaching opportunity cannot simply be assumed; he has already chosen coordinator jobs after being a college head coach.
The appeal of a veteran offensive reset is obvious. Nick Saban benefited from those arrangements at Alabama. But Oklahoma would need the right working relationship, not just the biggest résumé.
3. Mike Norvell
Currently: Former Florida State head coach; dismissed Nov. 1
Age: 45
Alma mater: Central Arkansas
Résumé: Florida State head coach, 2020–26; Memphis head coach, 2016–19; Arizona State OC/QBs, 2012–15; Pittsburgh co-OC/receivers, 2011; Tulsa offensive assistant and passing-game roles before that.
Norvell helped Memphis win the 2019 American championship. That team finished the season averaging 40.4 points and 485.1 yards, although he departed before its bowl game. Florida State went undefeated through the 2023 ACC championship game. FSU dismissed him after a 3–5 start this season.
WHY: There is a lot to like here.
Norvell has built offenses around different quarterbacks and different types of playmakers. His background includes productive rushing attacks, explosive passing games and experience managing an entire program.
He would bring energy and an established offensive identity. I also think his intensity could align well with Venables.
Being relieved of head-coaching responsibilities could allow him to concentrate on the work that helped make him a head coach: developing the offense, building the weekly plan and calling the game.
If Oklahoma wants someone with a substantial résumé who could benefit from a fresh start, Norvell belongs in the conversation.
WHY NOT: Stability is a fair question, but it is not the only one.
Norvell has spent more than a decade as a head coach. Would he embrace being a coordinator again, and for how long?
OU would also need to examine why Florida State declined after 2023. The strongest seasons belong in the evaluation, but so do the difficult ones.
I would not reject him because he might become a head coach again. If Oklahoma’s offense improves enough to get its coordinator hired elsewhere, that is a much better problem than the one the Sooners have now.
4. Rob Ezell
Currently: Wake Forest offensive coordinator
Age: 37; turns 38 on Nov. 3
Alma mater: Alabama
Résumé: Wake Forest OC, 2025–present; South Alabama OC/QBs, 2024, after coaching its tight ends from 2021–23; previous graduate-assistant and analyst work at Alabama, plus graduate-assistant experience at Colorado State.
South Alabama averaged 34.4 points and 441.8 yards in 2024. Wake Forest averaged 28.1 points and approximately 393.8 yards in 2025. Through eight games this season, the Demon Deacons are averaging 39.1 points and approximately 457.4 yards, with 282.6 passing yards and 174.8 rushing yards per game.
WHY: This is one that intrigues me a lot. Ezell has transformed South Alabama’s offense after learning under numerous EXCELLENT OC’s at Alabama from 2015 to 2020. At that time, Ezell was a grad assistant 2015-16 and then an offensive analyst. He learned under the likes of Lane Kiffin, Mike Locksley and Steve Sarkisian before taking over as the South Alabama TE coach in 2021 to 2023 and then OC/QB coach 2024. He was then hired by Wake Forrest as OC/TE coach.
The production has taken another step this season. Wake Forest has scored at least 30 points in seven of its first eight games, including 51 against Virginia and 41 at California. That is meaningful progress for a program now sitting at 7–1.
He is young and has a very solid resume, with I am sure a recommendation from none other than the GOAT Nick Saban to boot, having coached under Saban for six seasons.
Lastly, his QB is Gio Lopez and he has been super successful under Ezell. If by chance the Sooners wanted to have a one year come in and allow Bo Bentley and/or Jamison Roberts (assuming both are still Sooners) more time to fully develop and become ready, a move where Ezell was hired and Lopez followed suit would be an interesting move. If Lopez didn’t pan out in the SEC, you would have more depth so it wouldn’t be an end-all, but if he stayed progressing like he has under Ezell (2,176 yards passing, 18 TDs and ONLY 1 INT), I think OU fans would be ecstatic to have him for a year.
Just another reason to make that potential move if it’s a viable one in BV’s opinion.
WHY NOT: He has a lot more time being a TE coach than anything else and with Jason Witten most assuredly being retained, no matter the new hire, I think that would be tough to pull off. That is, unless Ezell is willing to go back and coach QBs. At that point, this is a good hire no matter how you slice it. Either way, he’s got to be on the short list.
5. Neal Brown
Currently: North Texas head coach
Age: 46
Alma mater: Massachusetts
Résumé: North Texas head coach, 2026; Texas special assistant, 2025; West Virginia head coach, 2019–24; Troy head coach, 2015–18; Kentucky OC, 2013–14; Texas Tech OC/QBs, 2010–12; Troy OC/QBs, 2008–09.
Brown entered his UNT tenure with a 72–51 record across Troy and West Virginia, including three consecutive double-digit-win seasons at Troy. His 2023 West Virginia team went 9–4 and averaged 228.9 rushing yards, the highest average among Power Five programs that season.
WHY: Brown would bring head-coaching experience, SEC coordinator experience and a much broader offensive background than the Air Raid label suggests.
That last part matters.
His roots are in that system, but the 2023 West Virginia rushing production is evidence that he can build an offense around physical line play and the running game. Oklahoma would not necessarily be hiring a coach who wants to throw it 50 times regardless of personnel.
He also understands staff management, roster construction and the pressure that comes with running a Power Four program.
The financial discussion is worth having, although I would not reduce it to one reported salary number. Total compensation, buyout obligations and what he would require to leave a head-coaching job all matter.
WHY NOT: Does Venables want another coach with Air Raid roots after the Arbuckle experience? Is Brown’s history and ability to run the ball good enough to warrant a further look into
I think that is a fair question, but the more useful question is what Brown would actually run with Oklahoma’s personnel.
Would the offense consistently create movement up front? Would it protect the quarterback against SEC pressure? Would Brown have the freedom to build the staff and system he believes are necessary?
There is also the obvious issue: He just became a head coach again. OU would have to give him a compelling reason to leave.
6. Kade Bell
Currently: Pittsburgh offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach
Age: 33
Alma mater: Jacksonville
Résumé: Pittsburgh OC/QBs, 2024–present; Western Carolina OC/QBs, 2021–23; Tusculum associate head coach/OC for its spring 2021 season; USF analyst, 2019; Valdosta State assistant, including OC/QBs in 2018.
Pitt averaged 32.9 points and 408.7 yards in Bell’s first season. His 2023 Western Carolina offense led the FCS with 504.1 yards per game. His 2018 Valdosta State offense averaged 52 points during an undefeated Division II championship season. At Pitt in 2025, the Panthers threw for 3,553 yards and 29 touchdowns.
WHY: Bell has produced at multiple levels, and his work with young quarterbacks should get Oklahoma’s attention.
He helped Eli Holstein emerge in 2024, then developed true freshman Mason Heintschel into a productive starter the following season. That is relevant for a program potentially evaluating a different quarterback situation in 2027.
Bell also understands how to create opportunities for playmakers in space. Oklahoma needs more plays that help its quarterback, rather than requiring the quarterback to solve everything after the snap.
He has spent three seasons working for a defensive head coach in Pat Narduzzi, giving him experience balancing an aggressive offensive approach with the broader needs of a team.
WHY NOT: He is still only three seasons into his FBS coordinator career.
That does not make him unqualified, but Oklahoma just went through a young-coordinator hire that did not work. Venables may lean toward a longer record of success against major-conference defenses.
Consistency also deserves examination. Pitt’s strong start in 2024 was followed by a difficult finish. The evaluation needs to include how Bell handles injuries, defensive adjustments and weeks when the explosive plays are harder to find.
7. Barry Lunney Jr.
Currently: Illinois offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach
Age: 52
Alma mater: Arkansas
Résumé: Illinois OC/QBs, 2022–present; UTSA associate head coach/OC/QBs, 2020–21; Arkansas tight ends coach, 2013–19, and interim head coach in 2019. Earlier stops included Tulsa, San Jose State and Bentonville High School.
UTSA averaged 36.9 points and 439 yards in 2021. Illinois averaged 28.3 points in 2024 and improved to 29.4 in 2025. Under Lunney, Luke Altmyer finished his Illinois career with program records for completion percentage and passing efficiency.
WHY: From a physicality standpoint, Lunney deserves a serious look.
His offense can run the ball, use its tight ends and adjust to different quarterbacks. He has worked within a program where winning at the line of scrimmage is an expectation, not just something said at a press conference.
There is also an Oklahoma connection that cannot be overlooked. Athletic director Roger Denny came from Illinois and served as its football sport administrator. That gives OU access to firsthand familiarity with Lunney’s work. It does not establish interest, but it is relevant.
Would this create the loudest reaction from the fan base? Probably not. But if the offense becomes more consistent and stops wasting scoring opportunities, the reaction to the original announcement will not matter much.
WHY NOT: Lunney has a longstanding relationship with Bret Bielema, including their time together at Arkansas.
Pulling him away for the same basic job title might be difficult, even at Oklahoma.
The other question is ceiling. OU needs physicality, but it also needs explosive plays and enough scoring to win against elite opponents. The Sooners should evaluate whether Lunney can provide both with their personnel and resources.
8. GJ Kinne
Currently: Texas State head coach
Age: 37
Alma mater: Tulsa
Résumé: Texas State head coach, 2023–present; Incarnate Word head coach, 2022; UCF co-OC/QBs, 2021; Hawaii OC/QBs, 2020; Philadelphia Eagles offensive assistant, 2019; Arkansas analyst, 2018; SMU graduate assistant, 2017.
Texas State averaged 36.7 points and 457.6 yards in his first season, improving its scoring by more than 15 points per game. Kinne won bowl games in each of his first three seasons there. At Incarnate Word, his 2022 team went 12–2, and quarterback Lindsey Scott Jr. accounted for 71 touchdowns.
WHY: Kinne has connections in two states that are very important to Oklahoma: Texas and Oklahoma.
He played at Texas before becoming a starter at Tulsa. His coaching background includes college and NFL experience, and he has successfully run programs.
That gives him a different profile from a coordinator whose résumé consists of one productive season.
He has also shown that he can assemble an offense quickly after substantial roster turnover. With the portal potentially playing a major role in Oklahoma’s 2027 plans, that experience would be useful.
Kinne could bring energy, recruiting relationships and an offense capable of putting pressure on a defense in multiple ways.
WHY NOT: He is already a head coach. Would he want to give that up?
Oklahoma would need to offer more than a larger stage. The staff arrangement, compensation, personnel support and offensive authority would all matter.
If he came to OU and immediately succeeded, his name would likely surface for other head-coaching jobs. I would rather have assistants getting hired because the offense is successful, but Venables would need to understand that possibility.
The question is whether OU wants the best immediate answer or places a higher premium on a longer-term arrangement.
9. Andy Kotelnicki
Currently: Kansas associate head coach
Age: 46
Alma mater: Wisconsin–River Falls
Résumé: Kansas associate head coach, 2026; Penn State OC, 2024–25; Kansas OC, 2021–23, adding associate head coach in 2023; Buffalo OC, 2015–20; Wisconsin–Whitewater OC, 2013–14; Mary OC, 2011–12; earlier coaching roles at Wisconsin–River Falls and Western Illinois.
Kansas averaged 35.6 points in 2022 and 34.8 in 2023 under Kotelnicki. His 2023 offense averaged 211.3 rushing yards. Buffalo averaged 43.5 points and 287.4 rushing yards in its seven-game 2020 season. Penn State’s 2024 offense led the country in first downs and plays gaining more than 10 yards.
WHY: This is one of the more appealing combinations of creativity and physicality on the list.
Kotelnicki can give defenses unfamiliar formations and movements without abandoning the run game. Oklahoma needs an offense that can manufacture an advantage and then execute it.
Venables has expressed admiration for what Kotelnicki does offensively, and his run-game approach was part of the appeal during an earlier coordinator search.
His background also includes winning with different quarterbacks and at programs with different resource levels. The success was not limited to one roster.
If OU wants to become more difficult to prepare for while maintaining a physical identity, he makes sense.
WHY NOT: His relationship with Lance Leipold is substantial.
Returning to Kansas after two seasons at Penn State was a deliberate choice. Would he want to leave again immediately?
He would also have to evaluate the stability of Oklahoma’s situation and the authority he would have to build the offense. Familiarity and trust can outweigh a bigger job title or a larger check.
OU can make a strong football argument. Whether that would be enough is another question.
10. Mike Locksley
Currently: Former Maryland head coach; departure announced Oct. 21
Age: 56
Alma mater: Towson
Résumé: Maryland head coach, 2019–26; Alabama OC, 2018, following analyst and co-OC/receivers roles in 2016–17; Maryland OC/QBs, 2012–15, and interim head coach in 2015; New Mexico head coach, 2009–11; Illinois OC, 2005–08; earlier assistant roles at Florida and Maryland.
Locksley won the 2018 Broyles Award while directing an Alabama offense that averaged 45.6 points and 522 yards. Maryland averaged 29.7 points and 387.3 yards in 2023. At Illinois, his offenses led the Big Ten in rushing in 2006 and 2007, then in passing in 2008. University of Maryland Athletics
WHY: Locksley has the experience Oklahoma should be looking for.
He has called plays in the SEC, developed quarterbacks and run programs. His background also shows that he can build different kinds of offenses instead of forcing every roster into the same approach.
The Alabama experience matters. He has worked under an exacting, defensive-minded head coach and succeeded with championship expectations.
That does not mean Venables and Saban are identical, but Locksley would understand the demands of that environment.
He also brings recruiting credibility. If OU is rebuilding parts of its offense through high school recruiting and the portal, the coordinator has to help sell the vision.
WHY NOT: The first question is whether he wants to be a coordinator again. That cannot be assumed.
The second is how much of his staff he would want to bring and how that fits with Oklahoma’s plans.
His best Alabama season is a strong reference point, but OU would also need to examine the more recent Maryland offense and how he would address the Sooners’ specific weaknesses.
I still think he would be a very strong option if the interest and fit are there.
11. Kliff Kingsbury
Currently: Los Angeles Rams assistant head coach
Age: 47
Alma mater: Texas Tech
Résumé: Rams assistant head coach, 2026; Washington Commanders OC, 2024–25; USC senior offensive analyst, 2023; Arizona Cardinals head coach, 2019–22; Texas Tech head coach, 2013–18; Texas A&M OC/QBs, 2012; earlier Houston offensive roles.
Washington averaged 28.5 points and 369.6 yards in 2024 with rookie Jayden Daniels, reaching the NFC championship game. His 2021 Arizona team won 11 games and finished in the NFL’s top 10 in total offense. His quarterback background also includes Patrick Mahomes, Johnny Manziel and Kyler Murray.
WHY: As an offensive mind, Kingsbury is absolutely worth discussing.
He has played under Mike Leach, coached at the highest levels of college football and been both an NFL head coach and coordinator.
The quarterback development is the obvious selling point. Oklahoma may need someone who can identify its next quarterback, build around his strengths and give him a clear path to productive football.
Kingsbury’s offenses also should not be dismissed as pass-only operations. Washington finished third in rushing yards per game in 2024.
Would he listen? That is the first question. But if the answer were yes, Oklahoma should at least have the conversation.
WHY NOT: This is one of the more speculative names on the board.
Does he want to return to college? Does he want the recruiting and roster-management responsibilities that come with it? Would he leave a role alongside Sean McVay?
The relationship with Venables would also need to work. Offensive autonomy, staffing and expectations could not remain vague.
The résumé is attractive. Availability and interest are much less certain.
12. Bobby Petrino
Currently: North Carolina offensive coordinator
Age: 65
Alma mater: Carroll College
Résumé: North Carolina OC, 2026; Arkansas OC, 2024–25, and interim head coach in 2025; Texas A&M OC, 2023; Missouri State head coach, 2020–22; Louisville head coach, 2014–18 and 2003–06; Western Kentucky head coach, 2013; Arkansas head coach, 2008–11; Atlanta Falcons head coach, 2007. Earlier coordinator experience includes Auburn and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Arkansas averaged 459.5 yards in 2024 and 454.8 in 2025. Texas A&M averaged 34.2 points during his 2023 season there. His quarterback-development résumé includes Heisman winner Lamar Jackson, along with Ryan Mallett and Tyler Wilson.
WHY: Petrino has called successful offenses against SEC defenses. That immediately makes him relevant.
He has experience with traditional pocket passers and dynamic running quarterbacks. His offenses can use a physical running game while creating downfield opportunities through play-action and formation changes.
That combination should appeal to Venables. Nay, that combination DOES appeal to Venables, per sources.
He would also bring a clear offensive voice and decades of experience diagnosing defensive adjustments. There would be very little mystery about whether he understands the demands of the job as well having coaches in the SEC as a head coach and OC on multiple occasions. Petrino was successful in every SEC stop to boot, with NFL experience (even if it was short in some cases) to top it off.
WHY NOT: The working relationship and cultural fit would need a serious evaluation.
Two experienced coaches can respect each other and still have different ideas about staffing, authority and how a program should operate.
Also, at this stage of his career, I would ask what Petrino wants from his next job rather than assume he is trying to become a head coach again.
13. Buster Faulkner
Currently: Florida offensive coordinator
Age: 45
Alma mater: Valdosta State
Résumé: Florida OC, 2026; Georgia Tech OC, 2023–25; Georgia offensive quality control, 2020–22; Southern Miss OC/QBs, 2019; Arkansas State OC, 2016–18; Middle Tennessee OC/QBs, 2011–15; Murray State OC/QBs, 2010; earlier roles at Central Arkansas, Valdosta State and Georgia.
Across his three Georgia Tech seasons, the Yellow Jackets averaged 437.7 yards, 197.8 rushing yards and 31 points. They allowed only 34 sacks across that span. He also worked on Georgia’s national championship staffs in 2021 and 2022.
WHY: This is a name OUInsider readers should recognize from the previous discussion around Oklahoma’s offensive staff.
Per sources, Faulkner was one of Venables’ first choices during the process I previously discussed.
The football fit remains obvious. Faulkner runs the ball, builds around his personnel and has produced physical offenses without sacrificing creativity at several stops.
Oklahoma gets a firsthand look this week when it visits Florida on Saturday, Nov. 7.
WHY NOT: He just arrived at Florida.
Would he want to leave that situation after one season? Would Oklahoma be willing to accommodate the staffing structure he wants? Honestly, that may be an obstacle with any OC that wants to bring in his own staff altogether. As I have noted, I am not sure I can see a Jason Witten or DeLand McCullough being asked to coach somewhere else after only one season at OU and their background being what it is to begin with.
But no matter what, those questions matter more than whether his offense fits what Venables wants. In my view, the fit is already there. In droves, if I am being honest.
He belongs on this list, and he is someone I will keep an eye on as decisions start to take shape.
14. Joe Moorhead
Currently: Akron head coach
Age: 53
Alma mater: Fordham
Résumé: Akron head coach, 2022–present; Oregon OC/QBs, 2020–21; Mississippi State head coach, 2018–19; Penn State OC/QBs, 2016–17; Fordham head coach, 2012–15; earlier coordinator experience at Connecticut, Akron and Georgetown.
Penn State averaged 41.1 points and 460.3 yards in 2017 under Moorhead. He helped the Nittany Lions win the 2016 Big Ten championship. At Oregon, his 2021 offense averaged 214 rushing yards before its bowl game.
WHY: This is an additional name worth examining because of the combination of quarterback development, run-game design and Power Four experience.
Moorhead has built offenses that create conflicts for defenders without requiring an endless list of complicated reads from the quarterback.
His work with Trace McSorley and Saquon Barkley at Penn State is a good example of building an offense around what its best players do well.
He also understands the SEC from his time at Mississippi State. Oklahoma would not be introducing him to the weekly demands of the league.
For an offense searching for an identity, his experience could have value.
WHY NOT: Oklahoma cannot evaluate him solely on Penn State.
His recent work at Akron has to be part of the discussion, even with the differences in resources. So does why his Mississippi State tenure ended after two seasons.
The Sooners would need to determine whether he is the right coordinator for this roster and this moment—not simply an experienced coach with an impressive earlier stop.
What I’m watching as all of this develops
The biggest question is how much Witten changes the offense over the next four games.
Can Oklahoma establish a more consistent running game? Can it give the quarterback cleaner answers? Can it finish drives without needing everything to go perfectly?
Those are things worth tracking beyond the final score.
If Witten does enough to earn the job, Venables should consider him. But the evaluation cannot stop at whether the players like him or whether the offense has one good Saturday. We have seen too many rollercoaster weekends on offense to be blinded by those things at this point.
If Oklahoma goes outside its current iteration of its staff, it needs to give the next coordinator a real chance to succeed. That includes overall staffing, NIL and personnel support — with the offense having roughly ONLY 30-40% the amount of NIL the defense has at this point — and a clear understanding of who is responsible for the offense.
I would not eliminate a strong candidate because he might become a head coach in two years. Oklahoma needs to get back to the point where other programs want its offensive coaches. Most of the time that means success is happening on the field.
For now, Witten gets the first opportunity to make that happen. His on-the-job audition begins on Saturday.
