Blake Gideon is officially back on the Forty Acres, and for Texas fans, it’s a reunion that brings both familiarity and upside. After a one-year stint as Georgia Tech’s defensive coordinator, Gideon returns to Austin to take on the role of defensive pass game coordinator and secondary coach - a position previously held by Duane Akina and Terry Joseph. The move had been in the works for a couple of weeks, but now it’s official, and it’s a significant piece of the puzzle as Texas reshapes its defensive staff under new coordinator Will Muschamp.
“It’s awesome getting Blake back,” head coach Steve Sarkisian said in a statement. “He did great things for us during his four years here and gained more valuable experience as a coordinator last year. He’s a tremendous coach, teacher, and developer of men, and a great staff member.”
That connection between Gideon and Muschamp runs deep. Gideon played safety for Muschamp during his early years at Texas, and their bond has only strengthened over the years.
Muschamp later brought Gideon on board at Florida as a defensive quality control assistant, and again at Auburn as a graduate assistant. Now, the duo is reunited once more in Austin, and the familiarity should make for a smooth transition on the defensive side of the ball.
Gideon, a native of Leander, Texas, carved out a notable playing career as a four-year starter at safety for the Longhorns. After a brief stint in the NFL, he transitioned into coaching and quickly climbed the ranks. His coaching stops include Western Carolina, Georgia State, Houston, and Ole Miss before he returned to Texas in 2021 to serve as safeties coach - a role he held through the 2024 season.
During his first go-round in Austin, Gideon made his mark not just on the field but on the recruiting trail. He played a key role in landing three five-star defensive backs - safety Jonah Williams, cornerback Kade Phillips, and safety Xavier Filsaime - and was also instrumental in the recruitment of four-star safety Derek Williams Jr. That kind of recruiting success, combined with his on-campus development of talent, made him a rising name in coaching circles.
That track record is part of what makes this hire so compelling. Gideon already knows the culture, the expectations, and many of the players on the current roster.
That continuity is crucial, especially with Texas entering a new era defensively under Muschamp. He’s not just a familiar face - he’s someone who’s already invested in the program’s future.
His lone season at Georgia Tech gave him a taste of full-time coordinator responsibilities. The Yellow Jackets finished 58th in defensive SP+ and landed mid-pack in most ACC defensive categories - 10th in scoring defense (25 points per game), 9th in passing yards allowed, and 15th in rushing defense. While the numbers weren’t eye-popping, the experience adds another layer to Gideon’s coaching résumé, and it’s clear Texas sees value in what he learned in that role.
Now, as he steps back into a program he knows inside and out, Gideon will be tasked with elevating a secondary that has the raw talent but will need to adjust to new leadership. With Muschamp overseeing the defense and Gideon handling the back end, Texas is betting on chemistry, continuity, and a shared vision to take the next step.
Longhorn Nation has seen what Gideon can do before. Now, with more experience under his belt and a stronger voice in the room, the expectations are even higher. And if the past is any indication, Gideon is ready to meet the moment.