Milligan tabs Ryan Witten as Flag Football head coach
MILLIGAN, Tenn. (June 21, 2022) – Milligan University Director of Athletics Christian Pope has announced Ryan Witten as the Buffs’ women’s flag football head coach.
MILLIGAN, Tenn. (June 21, 2022) – Milligan University Director of Athletics Christian Pope has announced Ryan Witten as the Buffs' women's flag football head coach.
"I am delighted Ryan has agreed to take this step forward and oversee the development of flag football here at Milligan," said Pope. "His knowledge and enthusiasm for the game is unmatched and we are eager to see this program's continued growth under his leadership."
Witten, a native of nearby Elizabethton, has 26 years of experience in the tackle football coaching ranks. He leads the middle school football program at Elizabethton and serves as an assistant coach to his brother Shawn Witten at Elizabethton High School. The Fighting Cyclones appeared in the last three TSSAA 4A state championship games and claimed state titles in 2019 and 2020.
Witten's brother Jason spent 17 seasons in the NFL as a tight end for the Dallas Cowboys and Las Vegas Raiders. Witten served as camp director of the Jason Witten Football Camp, which was the largest nonprofit football camp in the nation for over 15 years. He is the owner of Witten Huddle, a personal coaching service for school student-athletes aged 9-18.
Witten spent the 2022 season as an assistant coach for the Milligan flag football team alongside interim head coach Lauren Gullett, who has since been named the university's vice president for enrollment management this summer.
"I look forward to creating a positive and competitive atmosphere where all athletes can further develop and achieve a high-quality education," said Witten. "Excited about the opportunity to help grow the sport of women's flag football at Milligan and in our communities."
The Milligan University women's flag football team completed its second season in 2022. The Buffs defeated Cottey 7-6 in their first-ever game on campus at Anglin Field. Milligan capped its season at the NAIA Women's Flag Finals at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Ryan is married to his high school sweetheart, Kelly.