Witten not quite ready for Vols’ job
Jason Witten is in no rush to leave the Dallas Cowboys, despite his name being connected earlier this week to the head coaching vacancy at Tennessee, his alma mater.
“Coaching is something I can see myself doing down the road, having one of those opportunities, but right now I’m all in with this team and my feet are planted firmly here and this opportunity that I have in 2017 and getting it right this week,” Witten said. “And not only that, but I really love this team we have and what we’re trying to build and get it right, right now and for beyond, for the future. So I feel too good to think that I’d consider something like that at this point.”
Tennessee backed out of an agreement with Ohio State defensive coordinator Greg Schiano as its next head coach after backlash from fans. Oklahoma State Coach Mike Gundy, North Carolina State Coach Dave Doeren and Purdue Coach Jeff Brohm also reportedly turned down the chance to coach the team. Witten’s name was mentioned as a possibility by outkickthecoverage.com, which said Witten would be willing to leave immediately to take over at his former school.
Witten, 35, who played for the Volunteers in 2000-2002, has a strong relationship with Tennessee Athletic Director John Currie — according to ESPN’s Todd Archer — and he said they have spoken several times throughout the coaching search but not recently.
“There’s a lot of smart people around him, and they’re working hard to hire and make the right hire to get our program back,” Witten said. “I’m confident that they’ll do that.”