Steve Sarkisian made shocking changes to his staff on Thursday, tapping Will Muschamp as Defensive Coordinator and releasing Pete Kwiatkowski and defensive passing game coordinator Duane Akina. What is your initial reaction?S
Gerald Goodridge (@ghgoodridge) – I was shocked at the separation from Pete Kwiatkowski. I’ve said over numerous occasions that the Longhorns’ success over the last few seasons was in large part due to the defense keeping Texas in the games while the offense figured itself out.
There were some big lapses this year, but it was far from the problem. Even against Florida, which I would say was the unit’s worst performance, the Texas offense was just as bad, so it feels like a wash. Many of the late-game issues people point to, like Kentucky per instance, may be better attributed to an offense that spent less than 10 minutes on the field during the final 30 of the game. That being said, this feels very on-brand with what we’ve come to know about Sark and, honestly, the whole athletic program in recent years. If you feel a coach is not hitting the mark and someone you feel is an upgrade is in hand, you make the call. If Muschamp wasn’t already in the boat, I think PK is still in Burnt Orange.
Cameron Parker (@camerondparker) – It seems Sark always had his eye on Will Muschamp, based on his prior success as a defensive coordinator and his relationship with Nick Saban. The disappointment of the defense down the stretch, along with PK’s unwillingness to deviate from his “bend don’t break” style of play, seemed enough to force Sark’s hand at a change. Let’s get it straight, PK’s defenses were great at Texas, but were they elite? Muschamp’s hire could be what elevates Texas into the top tier of SEC teams.
Jacob Neidig (@jneidig_2) – My initial reaction was pure disbelief. Like most, I was bewildered that PK was fired, but the offensive staff has remained. With that being said, I do think Muschamp is an upgrade. He’s one of a kind. I’m excited to see what he brings to the culture and defensive side of the ball.
Quentin Bell (@uncleqbell) – It’s pretty wild, but probably the best time for it if changes are wanted/needed. The Defense really didn’t seem like an issue unless things were going on behind closed doors that we don’t see. With the amount of transfers, something had to have been going on with the staff, and from my point of view I believed it was the play calling on the offensive side, but this is an interesting path to solve the other interior issues, but a familiar face does help. In all it just may have to do with overall cohesiveness and some of the players probably already have a rapport with Muschamp which can make the transition easier.
Wescott Eberts (@SBN_Wescott) – It’s a shocking move for a number of reasons, including PK’s success over the last several years and the fact that Sark chose to address issues that didn’t really exist at defensive coordinator rather than more pressing concerns on offense, though I suppose the timing of that becomes nothing more than outside optics if there are changes on his side of the ball. Given the communication issues on defense, I’m less surprised about Akina, who is 69 now and may not have the ability to teach and connect that he did 10 years ago, even if he does still have a ton of youthful energy. Since it is Muschamp returning, I assume the argument here is that Sark didn’t fire PK to hire a new defensive coordinator, he fired PK to hire Muschamp, a defensive mind who is more highly regarded than Kwiatkowski.
We’re starting to get a clearer picture of who’s leaving and who’s returning for the Texas Longhorns. We knew Anthony Hill, Michael Taaffe, and Trey Moore were gone, but DeAndre Moore and Liona Lefau have entered the portal. Which decision will impact the Horns the most?
Gerald – Lefau hits harder, I think, because Texas now doesn’t have a truly experienced guy at the linebacker spot. TyAnthony Smith and Bo Barnes will probably be the guys, with Tyler Atkinson ready to step in for spring ball, but that’s not a mature group at all. I wanted Texas to go into the portal anyway to grab a linebacker, but this makes it a necessity for this offseason.
Cameron – It all depends on who Texas lands from the transfer portal. Lefau’s transfer leaves a hole, but the Longhorns may feel like they can go out and nab another linebacker that is just as good or better. I expected DeAndre Moore to step up in 2025, but for whatever reason, it didn’t click between him and Arch Manning. However, Emmett Mosley stepped up and there’s a crop of young guys in the waiting. Plus, you’d think Sark will go out and grab another wideout in the portal.
Jacob – Losing both players is a big hit to the locker room and overall toughness in the program. Moore and Lefau were two players who led by example, even if their production wasn’t leading the team. I think losing Lefau is a bigger hit because of the current depth in the linebacker room. The group will need to step up in a major way and add via the portal.
Quentin – Losing the LBs impacts the leadership that they brought to the locker room and the insanity on the field, and with a group that’s young, experience goes a long way in absorbing that game and understanding it at a new level. Some individuals are going to need to step up within DB or DL positions.
Wescott – It will be extremely hard to replace Anthony Hill next season, but that’s a departure that was essentially expected when he signed, so it’s far from a surprise. I think Moore hurts because he’s a leader in that wide receivers room, and he never fully reached his potential at Texas. If the Horns go into the portal to replace him, it’s going to be extremely expensive, so the staff will have to decide how much they can trust the 2025 signees to emerge without the benefit of being able to evaluate them during the spring, a consequence of the spring window ending.
Steve Sarkisian’s first coaching staff move of the off-season was the firing of running backs coach Chad Scott, replacing him with former Florida running backs coach Jabbar Juluke. Initial reaction to the move?
Gerald – I think Chad Scott may have been a bit of a scapegoat for the overall offensive struggles, but the running backs were definitely a minus for the offense. Some of that you can blame on both CJ Baxter and Quintrevion Wisner’s injuries this year, but there were multiple times where it looked like guys didn’t know how to choose the right seams in zone or who to block in pass protection. The addition of Jabbar Juluke makes a ton of sense. With his 17 years of experience coaching in Louisiana, he feels like a successor to Terry Joseph’s recruiting acumen. Add to that the potential to bring Jadan Baugh and/or KD Daniels with him, and I love the hire.
Cameron – It seemed like Tashard Choice’s departure put Sark in a bind, with no clear-cut replacement at the position. It always seemed like Chad Scott was a placeholder until Sark got the guy he wanted. Juluke brings juice both as a coach and a recruiter, and that appears to be very important to Sark.
Jacob – I think there was a case for just about every offensive position group to be replaced at some point this season. The lack of explosive runs was brutal this year. I like the addition of Juluke for the possibility of luring Baugh to Austin and his ties in recruiting. It seems like he also brings some toughness and energy as a coach, which isn’t a bad thing.
Quentin – With underwhelming performances in the running back positio,n it’s not surprising that Texas went another direction in the coaching staff. Juluke looks like a solid fit into the program and can really develop the players to flourish like Jaden Baugh, and could have some influence in the portal since the RB position is open.
Wescott – I agree with Gerald that Scott was scapegoated to some extent for problems that he didn’t create. But I also think that Juluke is a pretty clear upgrade, as Sark sends a clear message that he’s pushing hard in the margin to make a run at a title.
Texas’s opponent in the Citrus Bowl has been in the headlines, but for all the wrong reasons, with Michigan firing head coach Sherone Moore amidst his off-the-field issues. Does this benefit the Horns in any way?
Gerald – I don’t think there’s a massive shift for Michigan, but that level of distraction and chaos in the facility usually doesn’t help matters. Especially with the conversation swirling around needing to completely clean house post-Jim Harbaugh, I can’t help but wonder how focused everyone is during the next few weeks.
Cameron – Michigan could rally around interim head coach Biff Poggi, or they could mentally check out. I’m less worried about Texas since Sark will be forced to play more younger guys who are chomping at the bit to see the field. With or without Moore, I feel good about Texas in this matchup.
Jacob – Not particularly. The Michigan program is undoubtedly in shambles, but the benefit of the bowl game is not the outcome, but the practices leading up to it. The Moore saga doesn’t help or hurt Texas’s ability to get underclassmen reps leading up to the game.
Quentin – Not necessarily, but the distraction can throw off any mojo that Michigan had been cooking up. Since this isn’t a high-stakes bowl game, Michigan should be able to lock in with practice and the current coaching staff. It makes you wonder how it impacts the players and the momentum in bowl week.
Wescott – I suppose it could impact an outcome that matters much less than the individual performances of young Texas players expected to step up in the game, but the meaningful impact would come from any departures of current players or 2026 signees that could end up in Austin, like four-star offensive tackle Malakai Lee.
