texas defensive coordinator

Will Muschamp is the current Texas Longhorns defensive coordinator, having been hired in December 2025 to replace Pete Kwiatkowski on Steve Sarkisian’s staff.

Who the DC Is Now

• The Texas defensive coordinator for the Longhorns is Will Muschamp, returning to a role he previously held in Austin from 2008–2010.

• He was brought back after Texas parted ways with defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski and defensive passing game coordinator Duane Akina following a 9–3 season that fell short of College Football Playoff expectations.

Background on Will Muschamp

• Muschamp is a veteran defensive coach and former head coach at Florida and South Carolina, known nationally for aggressive, high-level defenses.

• During his earlier stint at Texas, his defenses were among the nation’s best, including top-10 finishes in total defense and rushing defense and helping Texas reach the 2009 BCS National Championship Game.

Why Texas Brought Him Back

• Steve Sarkisian has described Muschamp as one of the best defensive minds he has coached against and believes his leadership can “take our defense to another level.”

• The move is framed as a reset after Texas’ defense underperformed relative to preseason No. 1 expectations heading into another high-pressure season with Arch Manning set to return at quarterback.

Quick Forum/Trending Angle

• Among fans and forum discussions, the hire is widely viewed as a “return to roots” move, banking on Muschamp’s past success in Austin and his reputation for fiery, demanding defensive play.

• With Texas now fully settled into the SEC, the defensive coordinator choice is seen as central to competing with the league’s top offenses and avoiding a repeat of a 9–3 type campaign.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.