Fans shocked as Tennessee football legend forgets the Vols to coach an SEC foe

Tennessee has seen its fair share of coaching changes this offseason. Tim Banks was let go, and Willy Martinez departed, leaving some defensive openings to fill. On the offensive side, though, the staff remained intact, even earning extensions for offensive coordinator Joey Halzle and wide receivers coach Kelsey Pope.

Tennessee transfer heading to Texas A&M is a gut punch for Vols fans everywhere

One name that has been tossed around coaching circles in Tennessee over the past few years is legendary tight end Jason Witten. The former Vol had a 17-year Hall of Fame NFL career that featured 1,228 receptions for 13,046 yards and two First Team All-Pro selections.

Whether fans like it or not, I have some bad news. Football Scoop has reported that Jason Witten will now be the tight ends coach at Oklahoma.

Jason Witten is now the TE coach for the Sooners

This one stings. Losing a school legend to Oklahoma is a total heartbreaker. Alec Abeln has been a solid tight ends coach for Tennessee, but I'm sure most Vols fans would trade him for Wittens' services at the position in a heartbeat.

Right now, Witten has been the head coach at Liberty Christian High School in Argyle, Texas. He has no prior college coaching experience, but he obviously has enough football acumen and knowledge about the position to fit the role just fine.

Beyond that, there is another layer. Wittens's son, Cooper, is a 5-star lineabcker in the 2027 class. It's always crucial to land legacy recruits, always, and now it gets that much harder. Oklahoma will likely be tough to beat in this recruitment. Playing for his dad most likely outweighs playing for his dad's former school.

Tennessee still has a lot to sell, though. Jim Knowles is a great defensive mind and develops defensive talent at an elite rate.

At the end of the day, watching a former star and legend like Jason Witten move on to an SEC team is a tough pill for Tennessee fans to swallow.