Texas shakes up its coaching staff, bringing back Will Muschamp to lead the defense after parting ways with coordinators.
Texas is making major changes in its coaching staff, confirming on Thursday that the program is parting ways with defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski and with passing game coordinator Duane Akina.
"Parting ways'' is a polite way of saying UT is firing the two top assistants ... as it has been revealed that Will Muschamp will return as the Longhorns defensive coordinator.
Kwiatkowski was part of Steve Sarkisian’s original staff at Texas, while Akina’s was in his first year back with the program after he was part of Mack Brown‘s staff for 13 seasons.
“We appreciate all that Pete Kwiatkowski has done for the program in his five years coordinating our defense and are grateful for Duane Akina’s efforts in returning to the program this past year,” said Sarkisian in a prepared statement. “They are both tremendous coaches and people that worked extremely hard for Texas Football and the players they coached. We have had a great deal of success, are thankful for the roles they played in that, and wish them the best.''
But, there's a "but'' ...
“But at this time,'' Coach Sark continued, "we just felt it was best for our program to move in a different direction, and having the opportunity to hire Will Muschamp provides us the leadership to take our defense to another level.''
Muschamp worked as the Longhorns defensive coordinator from 2008 until the end of 2010 when he left to take the Florida head coaching job.
Since that time, he'd served as Auburn's defensive coordinator, South Carolina's head coach, and a key part of Kirby Smart's Georgia staff for the last four years.
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“This is an exciting day for the Muschamp family,” Muschamp said. “We loved our time in Austin and truly enjoyed everything about working with Texas Football. We’re thrilled to be coming back to a program with one of the richest and proudest histories and traditions in college football. With what Coach Sark has done in rebuilding this program – knowing there are even better days ahead – I was fired up for the opportunity.''