FRISCO, Texas _ Tight end Jason Witten chuckled when asked about a report that he had expressed interest in the head coaching job at the University of Tennessee and would walk away from the Dallas Cowboys right now to take over at his alma mater.
Witten made it clear he will be on the field when the Cowboys take on the Washington Redskins on Thursday night and possibly for a few years to come, despite his age.
"For me, certainly, coaching is something I can see myself down the road having one of those opportunities," Witten said Monday afternoon. "But right now, I'm all in with this team.
"My feet are planted firmly here with this opportunity I have here in 2017, getting it right this week. Not only that, but I really love this team I have and what we're trying to build and get it right, right now and beyond for the future.
"I feel too good to think I would consider something like that at this point.' "
Witten does have a relationship with Tennessee athletic director John Currie, but says he hasn't talked with anyone at Tennessee lately.
He believes the Currie has the right people around him to make a good decision and believes his name being brought is just part of the talk going on around program lately in wake off the Greg Schiano being offered the job and then having it rescinded following a backlash from fans.
Witten wants to coach one day, but he doesn't see himself heading in that direction this year or next year.
"I've got the best job in the world," Witten said. "I know the older you get and the longer you're around, people just assume. I feel too good right now with what we're trying to do not with just this year, but the years to come. I will be here Thursday night, God willing.
"Honestly, as you guys all know, I love playing. The people around you can say, 'oh, maybe one day he would be a good coach and consider something like that.' Certainly, I could see that happening down the road, but no time soon. I'm enjoying and loving what I'm doing right now."
