Texas will be without co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Johnny Nansen for Saturday’s Week 3 matchup against UTSA after his DWI arrest earlier this week led to an expected one-game suspension.
The arrest happened in Austin and was reported by local police this way: "On September 16, 2026, at 8:55 p.m., Austin Police (APD) officers responded to a reported three-vehicle crash in the 700 block of S. Capital of Texas Hwy NB. Officers contacted the driver of one of the vehicles, identified as 52-year-old Johnny Nansen, who displayed signs consistent with possible impairment."
"Officers conducted standardized field sobriety tests and observed multiple clues of impairment. Nansen was subsequently arrested for DWI, a Class B misdemeanor."
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian announced the news the next morning and said the program was "very disappointed and monitoring the situation."
Athletic director Chris Del Conte could still decide to extend the suspension beyond one week, though he has not publicly addressed that possibility.
With Nansen away from the program, senior defensive analyst Garrett Cox has taken over the linebackers and is expected to handle that role against the Roadrunners. Some around the program view the opening as a chance for Cox to make a case for the job long term.
"I wouldn't be surprised if Cox is the full-time LB coach next season. That's Muschamp's dude," one source told OrangeBloods' Cody Carpentier.
Cox also has prior experience working with defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, having been under him when Muschamp served as defensive coordinator for the Georgia Bulldogs.
Still, the arrest and suspension are not believed to be tied to Cox’s status moving forward. Texas insider Anwar Richardson reported, "I did not get the sense that the arrest would lead to a lengthy suspension or impact Nansen’s current employment status. The staff was disappointed to learn of the arrest, but the plan is for Nansen to be on the sidelines when Texas faces Tennessee next Saturday."
That means Nansen is expected to miss only the UTSA game and then rejoin Texas for its Week 4 trip to Knoxville against Tennessee.
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