OU Football Assistants Get Raises, New Contracts Approved

The OU Board of Regents approved new deals for several football staff members, including big raises for defensive coaches.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 12:39pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The University of Oklahoma Board of Regents approved new contracts and raises for several football assistant coaches and staff members on Friday. This includes a two-year, $675,000 deal for new tight ends coach Jason Witten, as well as significant pay increases for defensive line coach Todd Bates ($1.15 million) and defensive ends coach Miguel Chavis ($1 million). Other assistants like offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle and running backs coach DeMarco Murray did not receive new extensions or raises.

Why it matters

The new contracts and raises for OU's football coaching staff reflect the university's commitment to retaining top talent and investing in the program's continued success. With high-profile hires like Jason Witten and big raises for key defensive coaches, OU is signaling its intent to field a competitive team in the coming years.

The details

The new deals approved by the OU Board of Regents on Friday include a two-year, $675,000 contract for new tight ends coach Jason Witten, as well as two-year extensions and raises for defensive line coach Todd Bates ($1.15 million) and defensive ends coach Miguel Chavis ($1 million). Other assistants like offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle ($1.5 million over three years) and running backs coach DeMarco Murray ($850,000) did not receive new deals. The board also approved new contracts for OU's athletics director Roger Denny ($1.25 million) and several other front office and support staff positions.

  • The OU Board of Regents approved the new contracts on Friday, January 30, 2026.

The players

Jason Witten

The new tight ends coach at the University of Oklahoma, signed to a two-year, $675,000 contract.

Todd Bates

The defensive line coach at the University of Oklahoma, received a two-year extension and $200,000 raise to $1.15 million per year.

Miguel Chavis

The defensive ends coach at the University of Oklahoma, received a two-year extension and $260,000 raise to $1 million per year.

Ben Arbuckle

The offensive coordinator at the University of Oklahoma, making $1.5 million over three years.

DeMarco Murray

The running backs coach at the University of Oklahoma, making $850,000 per year with a contract extension through 2027.

Roger Denny

The new athletics director at the University of Oklahoma, making $1.25 million per year.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The new contracts and raises approved by the OU Board of Regents will go into effect immediately, with the coaching staff set to begin preparations for the 2026 season.

The takeaway

OU's investment in its football coaching staff, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, signals the university's commitment to building a championship-caliber program in the coming years. The new deals for assistants like Witten, Bates, and Chavis demonstrate OU's willingness to pay top dollar for top talent as it looks to compete at the highest level of college football.