Texas Heads to Orlando for Citrus Bowl Prep, with New Coaches Already Making Their Presence Felt
The Longhorns have wrapped up their Austin practices and are officially on the move. After a short holiday break, Texas will head to Orlando on Dec. 26 to begin final preparations for their Cheez-It Citrus Bowl showdown against Michigan, set for Dec. 31 at 2 p.m. CT on ABC.
The trip marks the start of a packed four-day stretch that includes practices, media sessions, and bowl-related events. But beyond the festivities, there’s real football work to be done - and some new faces are already helping shape what Texas will look like, not just in this game, but going forward.
Juluke Hits the Ground Running
New running backs coach Jabbar Juluke has wasted no time getting involved. He’s already been active during the team’s practices in Austin and will continue to coach the backs in Orlando. Juluke’s presence adds another experienced voice to the offensive staff, and his early involvement gives him a valuable head start with the current roster - especially with the bowl game providing a live-action look at his position group under pressure.
Nansen Calls the Defense, But Muschamp is Watching Closely
While co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Johnny Nansen will be the one calling the defense during the Citrus Bowl, all eyes are also on Will Muschamp.
The newly hired defensive coordinator has already been in Austin meeting with players and getting a feel for the personnel. He won’t be calling plays in the bowl game, but make no mistake - Muschamp is evaluating everything. From how players move in practice to how they respond to coaching, he’s looking for signs of the fast, physical, and aggressive style of play that defines his defensive philosophy.
Expect Muschamp to be a constant presence in Orlando, observing drills, assessing practice habits, and beginning to map out how this defense will evolve under his leadership.
Familiar Structure, New Deployment
Muschamp’s scheme won’t be a total overhaul. Structurally, it’ll resemble what Pete Kwiatkowski ran during his time coordinating the Texas defense.
That means fans can expect similar personnel groupings and base alignments. But where things will change is in how that structure is used.
Muschamp’s defenses are known for their intensity, unpredictability, and ability to create chaos at the line of scrimmage. So while the bones of the system may look familiar, the game-day feel - the pressure packages, the disguises, the energy - could be very different.
What’s Next: Roster Fit and Portal Needs
With Muschamp now getting a firsthand look at the roster, the next step will be identifying which players fit where in his system. That includes both current Longhorns and members of the 2026 recruiting class who are on their way to Austin.
Some players may find themselves in new roles. Others could emerge as breakout candidates in a scheme that rewards speed, aggression, and football IQ. And, of course, there will likely be spots where Texas needs to dip into the transfer portal to find the right pieces.
The Citrus Bowl won’t just be a final game of the 2025 season - it’s also a preview of what’s to come in 2026. With new coaches getting an early jump and a talented roster already in place, Texas is using every moment in Orlando to build momentum for a new era.
And if Muschamp’s track record is any indication, that era is going to be loud, fast, and very physical.