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Sarkisian gives Muschamp a second run with Longhorns

University of Texas photo / Texas junior edge rusher Colin Simmons expressed his excitement Thursday to be working under new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, who is in his second stint with the Longhorns.
University of Texas photo / Texas junior edge rusher Colin Simmons expressed his excitement Thursday to be working under new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, who is in his second stint with the Longhorns. University of Texas photo / Texas junior edge rusher Colin Simmons expressed his excitement Thursday to be working under new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, who is in his second stint with the Longhorns.

By Times Free Press Staff 6 min read

To take that next step forward, Steve Sarkisian decided to reach back.

After the Longhorns completed a mildly disappointing 9-3 regular season and before their Citrus Bowl win over Michigan, Sarkisian fired defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski and tabbed Will Muschamp as his replacement. Muschamp was Mack Brown’s defensive coordinator from 2008-10, with Texas reaching the BCS championship game of the 2009 season before losing to Alabama.

“He’s been a great addition,” Sarkisian said Thursday as the Southeastern Conference’s media days drew to a close in Tampa. “It was everything I thought this hire could be. Will and I philosophically are very similar. We believe in a style of defense that is in your face, that is tough, and that is hard-nosed.

“We believe in coaching hard, yet we believe in having a relationship and rapport with the players on the team. Will does that. It’s been great having him.”

In Muschamp’s first go-around as Texas defensive coordinator, the Longhorns allowed an average of 297.4 yards per game, 96.7 rushing yards per game and 2.9 yards per carry.