Texas hires Will Muschamp as defensive coordinator, bringing an SEC pedigree and past Longhorns success.
The Texas Longhorns shook the college football world with a surprise defensive coaching overhaul, parting ways with coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski and defensive pass game coordinator Duane Akina.
In a blockbuster counter move, the Longhorns hired Will Muschamp, reuniting the former Mack Brown assistant with the Forty Acres and signaling an aggressive reset on the defensive side of the ball under Steve Sarkisian.
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Muschamp arrives in Austin with a body of work steeped in elite SEC experience.
After graduating from Georgia in 1994, he launched his coaching career as a graduate assistant with the Bulldogs before rising quickly through the ranks. His key breakthrough came at LSU, where he served as linebackers coach in 2001 and later became defensive coordinator under Nick Saban from 2002 to 2004.
The SEC roots only deepened from there, with stints as defensive coordinator at Auburn, head coach at Florida, and later leading South Carolina.
But Texas fans will remember him best for his first tenure in burnt orange.
From 2008 to 2010, Muschamp oversaw a defense that terrorized the Big 12 and ranked among the best nationally - No. 1 in sacks, top-three in yards per carry allowed, and top-10 in total defense.
More importantly, he developed NFL-ready talent, sending 12 Longhorn defenders to the draft during that run, including 10 within the first four rounds.
For Sarkisian, the hire signals more than nostalgia.
Muschamp offers a proven blueprint for physical, aggressive, disciplined defense, traits that align with the SEC identity Texas will continue to embrace. His familiarity with the league, experience against top-tier offenses, and recent work under Kirby Smart at Georgia reinforce that value.
Muschamp also brings brief NFL experience under Saban with the Miami Dolphins, but it's clear his strength lies in the college ranks, where scheme flexibility, recruiting acumen, and culture building matter most.
The move represents a bold bet by Texas.
Pairing Sark's offensive firepower with a defensive leader who has already shown he can build elite units in Austin. For Longhorn fans, the message is simple ... this hire isn't just a reunion.
It's a statement of intent for a program aiming to elevate from playoff contender to national championship threat.