The Texas Longhorns are reshaping their defense, and the next move could bring back a name that resonates deeply in Austin: Blake Gideon.
Fresh off the hires of Will Muschamp as defensive coordinator and the dismissal of Pete Kwiatkowski and Duane Akina, Texas is reportedly eyeing Gideon as a top candidate to take over the secondary. And for those who’ve followed the program closely, that potential reunion carries real weight.
Gideon isn’t just another coach with a résumé - he’s a four-year starter at safety for the Longhorns, a former safeties coach under Steve Sarkisian, and someone who’s already left a strong imprint on the current roster. After departing last offseason to take the defensive coordinator job at Georgia Tech, he’s now being considered for a return that would reunite him with Muschamp, a coach he once worked alongside during Muschamp’s first stint in Austin.
This wouldn’t just be a reunion of familiar faces - it would be a reunion of philosophies. Both Muschamp and Gideon are rooted in an aggressive, detail-driven approach to defense.
Muschamp brings the scheme, Gideon brings the continuity and player trust. Together, they could form the foundation of a revamped defensive brain trust that blends old-school toughness with modern adaptability.
Inside the program, Gideon’s reputation is rock solid. Sarkisian has publicly praised the culture Gideon established in the safeties room - a culture built on accountability, honesty, and development.
It’s not just coach-speak either. Players have backed it up.
Michael Taaffe, who rose from walk-on to All-American, has credited Gideon’s no-nonsense, merit-based coaching for helping him climb the depth chart. Former cornerback Jahdae Barron has also spoken about how Gideon - along with Kwiatkowski - pushed him with long hours of film study and a demand for NFL-level preparation.
That kind of player development doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the product of a coach who knows how to connect, challenge, and elevate.
If Texas does bring Gideon back, the move would check several key boxes. It would give Muschamp a trusted lieutenant who knows the current roster inside and out.
It would restore a voice that players respect and respond to. And it would help bridge the Sarkisian era with the program’s defensive lineage - tapping into the past without being stuck in it.
Nothing’s official yet, but the signs point toward Texas doubling down on familiarity, experience, and proven leadership. After one major move on defense, the Longhorns seem poised to make another - and if Gideon is the next hire, this staff could hit the ground running in 2026 with a clear identity and minimal adjustment period.
The message is clear: Texas isn’t just tweaking the defense - it’s reloading with trusted minds who know how to build it the right way.