Whitson Dreams of Becoming a Coach


	Senior Carter Whitson

NORMAN, Okla. -- Every Sooner claims to be born with a passion for football, but few claim to be born with a passion for coaching football.

Senior wide receiver Carter Whitson can't remember a time in his life where coaching high school or collegiate-level football wasn't his aspiration. The driving force behind this ambition -- his father and coach Brent Whitson.

"My dad started coaching when I was in the fourth grade. My older brother and I would ride our bikes from elementary school to be ball boys at his practice," said Whitson. "Having the ability to watch him coach at a young age got the ball rolling, and I've never wanted to do anything else since."

At the high school level, Whitson had the opportunity to be coached by his father and grandfather.

"It was like a family reunion every day at practice," said Whitson. "Looking back, there's nothing more special than having your dad as a position coach."

Whitson remembers being treated differently by his father and grandfather on the field in that they expected more out of him. He believes it made him a better athlete.

"It was like a family

reunion every day at

practice. Looking back

there's nothing more

special than having

your dad as a coach."

"Everybody always wonders if my dad and I would go home and talk about football. It was never one of those things," said Whitson. "Dinner table conversation never concerned football."

Coach Whitson said he wouldn't trade the experience of coaching his sons for anything.

"He was always a fun kid to coach because he would challenge everything you taught him," said the elder Whitson. "He didn't just accept things. He always had to know 'why.'"

At the collegiate level, the former Shawnee High School and Broken Arrow High School quarterback walked on to the Sooner football program in the fall of 2005, undecided on what he was going to play.

"Originally, I wanted to play defense until I saw Adrian Peterson on offense," said Whitson. "I didn't want to tackle him, so I thought I'd switch it up a little."

"Originally I wanted to

play defense until I saw

Adrian Peterson on the

other side. I didn't want

to tackle him, so I

thought I'd switch it up

a little."

The fifth-year wide receiver is in his second season as the holder for place kicks, the first-ever player to hold in back-to-back seasons during Bob Stoops' tenure.

Whitson is a science education major and he has a goal of receiving a graduate assistant coaching position for OU where he will also receive his master's degree. However, coaching high school like his father is an option as well.

"Becoming a coach like my dad would be filling some pretty big shoes," said Whitson. "He takes over programs that haven't had any success and turns the whole place around."

The current Richardson High School coach said that his son is great with kids, the best quality a coach can have.

Whitson also has a strong admiration for assistant offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Jay Norvell, who has opened his eyes on how to be a successful leader. There is an enthusiasm about him that he said he'll take away from his experience at OU.

The receiver has always jumped head first into the leadership role, which he believes is the most important aspect of being an influential coach.

"I've gotten to hold, I've gotten to play some games and I caught a touchdown during a spring game. Those are just little things that make it fun along the way. In the long run, I'll remember the friendships, staff, and the opportunity to coach," added Whitson.

"The worst day on a

football field is still 10

times better than the

best day in the office."

Naturally, his father would like to see him at the high school level but understands his son's desire to be a collegiate coach in the Big 12 Conference.

"My dad always says 'the worst day on a football field is still 10 times better than the best day in the office,'" said Whitson.

His passion for coaching football may be fed by his father, but Whitson hopes to leave a legacy of his own at whatever level he chooses to pursue.

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Feature by Natalie Himes | OU Athletics Media Relations

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