Texas coach Steve Sarkisian has made a significant move by bringing Will Muschamp on board as the new defensive coordinator. This decision follows the departure of Pete Kwiatkowski, who had notable accolades, including being a finalist for the Broyles Award just a year ago.
Muschamp is widely recognized as one of the most accomplished defensive coordinators of the modern era, notably guiding a team to the national championship game in 2009 with former Texas coach Mack Brown. Although his tenure as a head coach at Florida and South Carolina had its ups and downs, his defensive units consistently displayed strong performances.
The challenge before Muschamp is sizeable; he must help stabilize a Texas program that saw a steep decline after starting the season ranked No. 1, becoming the first such team since 2012 to fall out of the top 10. While solidifying the defense is crucial, it is merely one element of a larger set of issues.
Kwiatkowski’s defenses showed impressive consistency over the past three seasons, contributing to Texas’ rise in national prominence. Over the past four years, the Longhorns’ defensive ratings outperformed their offensive setups. Last season, Texas boasted one of the top defenses nationally, ranking No. 3 in FEI.
However, cracks emerged in 2025, particularly within the secondary. A notable 29-21 loss to Florida showcased vulnerabilities, with Texas yielding over 450 yards of offense to a team that ended the season at 4-8. Similar weaknesses were evident in a 35-10 defeat against Georgia, culminating in four passing touchdowns allowed to quarterback Gunner Stockton during the second half.
Securing the Defense
Muschamp’s expertise with defensive backs could provide solutions to these issues. His recruiting prowess—especially within the SEC—has the potential to enhance the overall talent on defense significantly.
That said, it’s been a while since Muschamp last orchestrated a defensive play scheme. His recent stints at Georgia from 2021 to 2025 lacked any playcalling responsibilities, serving instead as co-defensive coordinator. His last hands-on playcalling experience was at South Carolina in 2020, where his defensive units fluctuated significantly in performance.
Over the last five years, Muschamp has collaborated closely with Georgia head coach Kirby Smart, a respected figure in defensive strategies. This experience could potentially refine his defensive approach, even if he hasn’t been involved directly on the field.
Identifying the Core Issue
The underlying issue, however, remains clear: Texas’ defensive struggles aren’t the primary concern for the program.
Despite ranking high in defensive metrics over the last four seasons, Sarkisian’s offensive unit has not achieved similar success, failing to break into the top 15 nationally. The best FEI ranking was No. 17 in 2022, during Bijan Robinson’s final year at Texas. In 2025, the Longhorns stood at No. 10 among 16 SEC teams for both scoring and total offense.
In each of Texas’ three losses, offensive sluggishness was evident. The Longhorns were scoreless through three quarters against Ohio State, barely managed seven points against Florida, and could only put together 10 points in a crucial matchup with Georgia—one that ultimately cost them a shot at the College Football Playoff.
In the aftermath of the season, Sarkisian dismissed first-year running backs coach Chad Scott, but the rest of his offensive staff remains unchanged. Sarkisian’s role as playcaller continues as fans express desire for a dedicated offensive coordinator. Notably, throughout his time at Texas, the offense has consistently received less scrutiny compared to the defense.
Among the five offensive assistants hired during Sarkisian’s first year, three are still with the program. The only significant departure has been running backs coach Stan Drayton, who moved on to head the Temple team. The lone offensive assistant let go was wide receivers coach Andre Coleman. Interestingly, nine of Texas’ 11 All-Americans during the Sarkisian era have come from the defense or special teams.
Last season, Texas attempted a nostalgic approach with the hiring of renowned secondary coach Duane Akina as defensive passing game coordinator. Akina previously worked with Muschamp during his time as defensive coordinator at Texas. Unfortunately, this strategy didn’t pan out, ending with Texas’ last-place ranking in SEC passing defense.
There’s hope that Muschamp’s situation will differ. Being 15 years younger than Akina, he remains firmly in his coaching prime. However, without addressing the strategic shortcomings on the offensive side, no defensive enhancement will sufficiently elevate Texas to national championship standards.
