Steve Sarkisian made stunning modifications to his employees on Thursday, tapping Will Muschamp as Defensive Coordinator and releasing Pete Kwiatkowski and defensive passing recreation coordinator Duane Akina. What’s your preliminary response?S
Gerald Goodridge (@ghgoodridge) – I used to be shocked on the separation from Pete Kwiatkowski. I’ve stated over quite a few events that the Longhorns’ success over the previous couple of seasons was largely because of the protection holding Texas within the video games whereas the offense figured itself out. There have been some large lapses this yr, but it surely was removed from the issue. Even towards Florida, which I’d say was the unit’s worst efficiency, the Texas offense was simply as dangerous, so it appears like a wash. Lots of the late-game points individuals level to, like Kentucky per occasion, could also be higher attributed to an offense that spent lower than 10 minutes on the sphere in the course of the closing 30 of the sport. That being stated, this feels very on-brand with what we’ve come to learn about Sark and, truthfully, the entire athletic program lately. In the event you really feel a coach shouldn’t be hitting the mark and somebody you are feeling is an improve is in hand, you make the decision. If Muschamp wasn’t already within the boat, I feel PK remains to be in Burnt Orange.
Commercial
Cameron Parker (@camerondparker) – It appears Sark all the time had his eye on Will Muschamp, based mostly on his prior success as a defensive coordinator and his relationship with Nick Saban. The frustration of the protection down the stretch, together with PK’s unwillingness to deviate from his “bend don’t break” model of play, appeared sufficient to drive Sark’s hand at a change. Let’s get it straight, PK’s defenses had been nice at Texas, however had been they elite? Muschamp’s rent could possibly be what elevates Texas into the highest tier of SEC groups.
Jacob Neidig (@jneidig_2) – My preliminary response was pure disbelief. Like most, I used to be bewildered that PK was fired, however the offensive employees has remained. With that being stated, I do suppose Muschamp is an improve. He’s considered one of a form. I’m excited to see what he brings to the tradition and defensive facet of the ball.
Quentin Bell (@uncleqbell) – It’s fairly wild, however in all probability one of the best time for it if modifications are wished/wanted. The Protection actually didn’t seem to be a difficulty until issues had been occurring behind closed doorways that we don’t see. With the quantity of transfers, one thing needed to have been occurring with the employees, and from my viewpoint I believed it was the play calling on the offensive facet, however that is an fascinating path to resolve the opposite inside points, however a well-recognized face does assist. In all it simply could need to do with general cohesiveness and among the gamers in all probability have already got a rapport with Muschamp which might make the transition simpler.
Wescott Eberts (@SBN_Wescott) – It’s a stunning transfer for quite a lot of causes, together with PK’s success over the past a number of years and the truth that Sark selected to handle points that didn’t actually exist at defensive coordinator reasonably than extra urgent issues on offense, although I suppose the timing of that turns into nothing greater than outdoors optics if there are modifications on his facet of the ball. Given the communication points on protection, I’m much less shocked about Akina, who’s 69 now and should not have the power to show and join that he did 10 years in the past, even when he does nonetheless have a ton of youthful vitality. Since it’s Muschamp returning, I assume the argument right here is that Sark didn’t hearth PK to rent a brand new defensive coordinator, he fired PK to rent Muschamp, a defensive thoughts who’s extra extremely regarded than Kwiatkowski.
Commercial
We’re beginning to get a clearer image of who’s leaving and who’s returning for the Texas Longhorns. We knew Anthony Hill, Michael Taaffe, and Trey Moore had been gone, however DeAndre Moore and Liona Lefau have entered the portal. Which determination will impression the Horns essentially the most?
Gerald – Lefau hits more durable, I feel, as a result of Texas now doesn’t have a really skilled man on the linebacker spot. TyAnthony Smith and Bo Barnes will in all probability be the fellows, with Tyler Atkinson able to step in for spring ball, however that’s not a mature group in any respect. I wished Texas to enter the portal anyway to seize a linebacker, however this makes it a necessity for this offseason.
Cameron – All of it is dependent upon who Texas lands from the switch portal. Lefau’s switch leaves a gap, however the Longhorns could really feel like they’ll exit and nab one other linebacker that’s simply pretty much as good or higher. I anticipated DeAndre Moore to step up in 2025, however for no matter cause, it didn’t click on between him and Arch Manning. Nonetheless, Emmett Mosley stepped up and there’s a crop of younger guys within the ready. Plus, you’d suppose Sark will exit and seize one other wideout within the portal.
Jacob – Dropping each gamers is a giant hit to the locker room and general toughness in this system. Moore and Lefau had been two gamers who led by instance, even when their manufacturing wasn’t main the group. I feel dropping Lefau is an even bigger hit due to the present depth within the linebacker room. The group might want to step up in a significant approach and add through the portal.
Commercial
Quentin – Dropping the LBs impacts the management that they dropped at the locker room and the madness on the sphere, and with a bunch that’s younger, expertise goes a great distance in absorbing that recreation and understanding it at a brand new degree. Some people are going to want to step up inside DB or DL positions.
Wescott – It is going to be extraordinarily onerous to interchange Anthony Hill subsequent season, however that’s a departure that was primarily anticipated when he signed, so it’s removed from a shock. I feel Moore hurts as a result of he’s a frontrunner in that vast receivers room, and he by no means absolutely reached his potential at Texas. If the Horns go into the portal to interchange him, it’s going to be extraordinarily costly, so the employees must determine how a lot they’ll belief the 2025 signees to emerge with out the good thing about having the ability to consider them in the course of the spring, a consequence of the spring window ending.
Steve Sarkisian’s first teaching employees transfer of the low season was the firing of operating backs coach Chad Scott, changing him with former Florida operating backs coach Jabbar Juluke. Preliminary response to the transfer?
Gerald – I feel Chad Scott could have been a little bit of a scapegoat for the general offensive struggles, however the operating backs had been undoubtedly a minus for the offense. A few of which you could blame on each CJ Baxter and Quintrevion Wisner’s accidents this yr, however there have been a number of instances the place it seemed like guys didn’t know the way to decide on the fitting seams in zone or who to dam in go safety. The addition of Jabbar Juluke makes a ton of sense. Along with his 17 years of expertise teaching in Louisiana, he appears like a successor to Terry Joseph’s recruiting acumen. Add to that the potential to deliver Jadan Baugh and/or KD Daniels with him, and I really like the rent.
Commercial
Cameron – It appeared like Tashard Selection’s departure put Sark in a bind, with no clear-cut substitute on the place. It all the time appeared like Chad Scott was a placeholder till Sark acquired the man he wished. Juluke brings juice each as a coach and a recruiter, and that seems to be essential to Sark.
Jacob – I feel there was a case for nearly each offensive place group to get replaced sooner or later this season. The shortage of explosive runs was brutal this yr. I just like the addition of Juluke for the potential for luring Baugh to Austin and his ties in recruiting. It looks as if he additionally brings some toughness and vitality as a coach, which isn’t a nasty factor.
Quentin – With underwhelming performances within the operating again positio,n it’s not shocking that Texas went one other route within the teaching employees. Juluke appears like a stable match into this system and may actually develop the gamers to flourish like Jaden Baugh, and will have some affect within the portal for the reason that RB place is open.
Wescott – I agree with Gerald that Scott was scapegoated to some extent for issues that he didn’t create. However I additionally suppose that Juluke is a reasonably clear improve, as Sark sends a transparent message that he’s pushing onerous within the margin to make a run at a title.
Commercial
Texas’s opponent within the Citrus Bowl has been within the headlines, however for all of the unsuitable causes, with Michigan firing head coach Sherone Moore amidst his off-the-field points. Does this profit the Horns in any approach?
Gerald – I don’t suppose there’s an enormous shift for Michigan, however that degree of distraction and chaos within the facility often doesn’t assist issues. Particularly with the dialog swirling round needing to fully clear home post-Jim Harbaugh, I can’t assist however marvel how targeted everyone seems to be in the course of the subsequent few weeks.
Cameron – Michigan may rally round interim head coach Biff Poggi, or they might mentally try. I’m much less fearful about Texas since Sark might be compelled to play extra youthful guys who’re chomping on the bit to see the sphere. With or with out Moore, I be ok with Texas on this matchup.
Jacob – Not significantly. The Michigan program is undoubtedly in shambles, however the good thing about the bowl recreation shouldn’t be the end result, however the practices main as much as it. The Moore saga doesn’t assist or harm Texas’s potential to get underclassmen reps main as much as the sport.
Commercial
Quentin – Not essentially, however the distraction can throw off any mojo that Michigan had been cooking up. Since this isn’t a high-stakes bowl recreation, Michigan ought to have the ability to lock in with apply and the present teaching employees. It makes you marvel the way it impacts the gamers and the momentum in bowl week.
Wescott – I suppose it may impression an end result that issues a lot lower than the person performances of younger Texas gamers anticipated to step up within the recreation, however the significant impression would come from any departures of present gamers or 2026 signees that would find yourself in Austin, like four-star offensive deal with Malakai Lee.
