A Near‑Miss in the Coaching Carousel
Jason Witten, a Tennessee native and former Dallas Cowboys star, was courted in 2022 for the head‑coaching position at Lipscomb Academy, a program that had just seen Trent Dilfer depart for the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Witten, who had built a strong reputation at Liberty Christian School in Argyle, Texas, said the Lipscomb role was "intriguing" and that he was "really close" to accepting it, but ultimately chose to remain with the Texas team where he was comfortable and successful.
The Lipscomb Revolving Door
When Dilfer left, the vacancy attracted former Tennessee Titans lineman and Pro Football Hall of Famer Kevin Mawae, who took over the program but was forced out after a two‑year postseason ban handed down for a recruiting violation.
Jamie Graham succeeded Mawae and steered the Mustangs for two seasons before being dismissed after the 2026 campaign, paving the way for Dilfer’s unexpected return to the head‑coaching seat on Jan. 8, 2026.
The carousel of coaches reflects a broader trend in Tennessee high school football, where ambitious programs chase pedigree and visibility, often cycling through notable figures from the state’s sports legacy.