Will Muschamp Heads to Texas: What Georgia Gains-and Loses-in the Move
Georgia football is officially saying goodbye to one of its most experienced minds. Will Muschamp, who’s been a key figure in Athens since 2021, is heading west to take over as the new Defensive Coordinator for the Texas Longhorns. While Muschamp had shifted into an off-field analyst role the past two seasons, his departure still marks the end of a significant chapter for Kirby Smart’s staff.
Let’s be clear: replacing Muschamp won’t be easy. This is a guy with head coaching experience at two SEC programs and a deep understanding of defensive football.
Even in a non-coaching role, his presence in the building carried weight. His fingerprints were all over Georgia’s defensive identity-something that doesn’t just vanish overnight.
But here’s where things get interesting for Georgia. Muschamp’s exit frees up $600,000 in salary.
That’s a substantial chunk of change for a program already operating at an elite level. It gives Kirby Smart some financial flexibility to make a strategic hire, and potentially bring in another veteran voice to the defensive staff.
There’s already chatter about who could fill that analyst role, and one name floating around makes a lot of sense-Mark Stoops. The longtime Kentucky head coach was recently let go after a 10-year run in Lexington.
While Stoops may not be in line for another head coaching job right away, joining Georgia’s staff could be a smart reset. And for Smart, it could be another savvy move to bring in a former head coach with SEC experience to help shape the defense behind the scenes.
Even if Stoops doesn’t land in Athens, Georgia is in a strong position to attract a high-profile name. That $600k budget, combined with the program’s national profile and recent success, makes it one of the most appealing analyst gigs in college football.
Bottom line: Muschamp’s move to Texas is a win for the Longhorns, no doubt. But Georgia isn’t walking away empty-handed.
They lose a respected voice, but gain financial flexibility and an open door to bring in another seasoned football mind. And if Kirby Smart’s track record tells us anything, it’s that he knows how to reload-not rebuild.