Former Cowboys star Jason Witten's second act: coaching for a state championship

• He's destined for the Cowboys Ring of Honor, and likely the NFL Hall of Fame.

Driving the news: After going undefeated his third season as head coach, Witten led Liberty Christian School, based in Argyle, to a 45-17 playoff victory over Fort Worth's All Saints Episcopal School last week.

• Liberty Christian will face off against Regents School of Austin for the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) Division II high school state championship in Waco on Friday.

Flashback: In his first season as coach, in 2021, Liberty Christian went 2-8. The next year the team won nine games before losing in the quarterfinals of the state playoffs.

The intrigue: This is Witten's second attempt at a post-retirement career. When he retired the first time, in 2018, Witten was a color commentator on "Monday Night Football" broadcasts.

• Yes, but: He came out of retirement in 2019 and rejoined the Cowboys for a season before signing a one-year contract with the Raiders.

By the numbers: Liberty Christian's offense is averaging 46 points per game this fall, which included an 85-13 win over Fort Worth Christian, per USA Today.

• Liberty Christian's defense is allowing less than six points per game.
• C.J., a junior linebacker, leads the team in total tackles (64), tackles for loss (9), and sacks (5).

What they're saying: "In this next chapter, it is important to me to be the best father and husband I can be, while making a positive impact in the community and share the wisdom I've accumulated over the years to positively impact the next generation," Witten told the Denton Record-Chronicle in 2021.