Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Texas Hires Will Muschamp as Defensive Coordinator After Firing Pete Kwiatkowski

Steve Sarkisian casts the hire as a leadership shift that frees him to focus more on the offense.

Overview

  • Texas also parted with defensive passing-game coordinator Duane Akina after one season back on staff.
  • Muschamp will not coach the Dec. 31 Citrus Bowl against Michigan, as linebackers coach Johnny Nansen will call the defense while Muschamp observes and begins working with the secondary.
  • Sarkisian cited a late-season defensive slide — 11.0 points allowed per game over the first six games versus 28.5 over the final six — and described Muschamp as the program’s “head coach of the defense.”
  • Kwiatkowski’s group still finished No. 23 in scoring defense and No. 36 in total defense, but Texas went 9-3 and missed the College Football Playoff.
  • Reporting indicates Texas owes Kwiatkowski more than $2 million in buyout money unless he offsets it by securing new employment under his contract.