The Texas Longhorns are heading into their third season in the SEC still chasing that elusive conference crown - and head coach Steve Sarkisian is making it clear he’s not content with more of the same. After two years of knocking on the door, including a heartbreaker of an overtime loss to Georgia in the SEC title game, Sarkisian is reshaping his staff in a big way, signaling that 2026 is going to be different.
The most eye-catching move? Texas has hired Garrett Cox as senior defensive analyst - a rising star who just spent the past year on Kirby Smart’s staff at Georgia. That’s right, Sarkisian just pulled talent straight from the program that’s been his biggest hurdle since Texas joined the SEC.
This isn’t just a hire - it’s a statement.
Texas is 0-3 against Georgia since entering the conference in 2024, and that includes the SEC Championship loss that ended their debut season in gut-wrenching fashion. Sarkisian clearly isn’t just looking to reload - he’s trying to rewire the program’s DNA to finally get over the Georgia hump. And bringing in someone who’s been in the Bulldogs’ war room is a strategic play that could pay dividends.
Despite his youth, Cox brings a wealth of experience from some of the biggest programs in college football. Before his stint in Athens, he spent time with TCU, Tennessee, Alabama, and Michigan - a résumé that’s as SEC-tested and playoff-savvy as they come. He’s seen what elite looks like from multiple angles, and now he brings that insight to Austin at a time when the Longhorns are on the cusp of something big.
But Cox isn’t the only new face in the building.
Sarkisian also made a major move by bringing back Will Muschamp as defensive coordinator. That reunion comes on the heels of a surprising December shake-up that saw the departures of former DC Pete Kwiatkowski and defensive passing game coordinator Duane Akina. Muschamp, who knows the 40 Acres well from his previous stint in Austin, brings a fiery edge and deep SEC experience that could be exactly what this defense needs to take the next step.
And the coaching carousel didn’t stop there. Running backs coach Chad Scott, Director of Scouting Errin Joe, and analyst Tyler Allen all exited for new opportunities before the team’s appearance in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl. That kind of turnover might raise eyebrows, but it also opens the door for fresh energy and new ideas - something Sarkisian seems to be leaning into as he reshapes the program’s identity.
The bottom line? The 2026 Longhorns are going to look and feel a lot different than the 2025 squad - and that’s by design.
Sarkisian isn’t just tweaking at the edges. He’s making bold, calculated moves to build a staff that can finally get Texas over the SEC hump and into the national title conversation.
If these hires click the way Sarkisian hopes, the rest of the conference better take notice - because the Longhorns aren’t just coming. They’re coming with reinforcements.