Texas Turns the Page on Defense: Will Muschamp Returns as Longhorns DC
In a move that signals both a nod to the past and a bold step into the future, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian is shaking up his defensive staff-and he's bringing back a familiar face to lead the charge. Will Muschamp, once the Longhorns’ defensive coordinator and head coach-in-waiting, is returning to Austin to take over the defense, replacing Pete Kwiatkowski after a five-year run.
Also out is defensive passing game coordinator Duane Akina, who returned to Texas this past season after a long and respected run coaching the Longhorns’ secondary from 2001 to 2013.
Sarkisian didn’t mince words when explaining the decision. While he expressed gratitude for both Kwiatkowski and Akina, it’s clear the head coach believes Muschamp can elevate the defense to a new level.
“Will is a guy I've known for a long time, always admired and is as good of a defensive mind and coach as I've ever coached against,” Sarkisian said. “His defenses are relentless… He led some incredible defenses here on the Forty, and I'm so fired up to be bringing him back.”
A Proven Track Record in Burnt Orange
Muschamp’s return isn’t just about nostalgia-it’s about production. During his previous stint as Texas’ defensive coordinator from 2008 to 2010, the Longhorns were a force. In 2008, they finished the season ranked No. 3 in the nation, and the following year, they earned a trip to the BCS national championship game.
Statistically, those defenses were elite. From 2008 to 2010, Texas led the nation in sacks (119) and ranked top-10 nationally in several key categories: third in yards per rush allowed (2.9), fourth in rushing yards allowed per game (96.7), and seventh in total yards allowed per game (297.4). All of those were best in the Big 12 during that stretch.
And the talent pipeline was flowing. In the 2009-2011 NFL Drafts, 12 of Muschamp’s defenders heard their names called-10 of them in the first four rounds.
Why the Change Now?
The decision to part ways with Kwiatkowski and Akina comes after a season that started strong but finished with some glaring defensive lapses. Through the first seven games of 2025, Texas allowed just 11.3 points per game and 195.9 passing yards. But over the next four games, that flipped dramatically: the Longhorns gave up an average of 35.3 points and 325 passing yards per contest.
It wasn’t just the numbers-it was the way games unfolded. A 45-38 overtime escape at Mississippi State, a near-collapse against Vanderbilt after leading 34-10, a 35-10 loss at Georgia, and a shootout win over Arkansas where the defense surrendered 52 points-all of it painted a picture of a unit that lost its edge down the stretch.
And while the 2024 season saw Texas reach the College Football Playoff semifinals with a defense that ranked third in the nation in points allowed (15.3 ppg), the regression in 2025 was hard to ignore. The Longhorns still finished top-10 against the run (98.1 ypg), but their pass defense slipped to 101st nationally (237.6 ypg).
To Sarkisian, the message is clear: the standard has been set, and it wasn’t met this fall.
Muschamp’s Journey Since Texas
Since leaving Texas in 2010 to become the head coach at Florida, Muschamp has built an extensive résumé. He led the Gators from 2011 to 2014, then took over at South Carolina from 2016 to 2020. Most recently, he joined Kirby Smart’s staff at Georgia, where he played a key role in one of the most dominant defensive runs in recent college football history.
From 2021 to 2023, Muschamp was part of a Georgia staff that went 42-2 and won back-to-back national championships. He started as a senior analyst, moved into an on-field role during the 2021 season, and was promoted to co-defensive coordinator in 2022. After two years in that role, he stepped back into an analyst position in 2024 to spend more time with family-particularly his son, Whit, who signed with Vanderbilt as a quarterback that same year.
Now, he’s ready to dive back in.
“This is an exciting day for the Muschamp family,” he said. “We’re thrilled to be coming back… I have tremendous respect and admiration for Sark, how he leads his program, develops his team and players, builds culture and goes about his business.
I’m excited to be a part of it and can’t wait to get started. Hook ‘em!”
Looking Ahead
There’s no doubt Muschamp brings a wealth of experience, a proven defensive pedigree, and a deep understanding of what it means to coach at Texas. His return isn’t just about X’s and O’s-it’s about identity. Sarkisian is betting on Muschamp to bring back the kind of defensive swagger that defined the Longhorns during their last run at national prominence.
With Texas continuing its push as a national contender, especially in the expanded College Football Playoff era, the margin for error is razor-thin. The offense is humming.
The recruiting is elite. Now, Sarkisian wants a defense that can go toe-to-toe with the best in the country-and he believes Muschamp is the one to deliver it.
The message is simple: Texas isn’t just trying to keep up. They’re trying to dominate. And with Will Muschamp back on the Forty Acres, the horns are aiming high.