Texas coach Steve Sarkisian made waves on Thursday with the appointment of Will Muschamp as the new defensive coordinator, a move that comes with the dismissal of former DC Pete Kwiatkowski, who was once in the running for the Broyles Award just the previous year.

Muschamp is celebrated as one of the premier defensive coordinators of this century, notably guiding teams to the national championship in 2009 while under the guidance of then-coach Mack Brown. Despite some rocky coaching stints at Florida and South Carolina, he has consistently upheld solid defenses.

This hire aims to restore stability in a Texas program that had the unfortunate distinction of falling from its preseason No. 1 ranking, a position it held longer than any previous team since 2012.

While Kwiatkowski’s defenses were strong, with Texas rated higher than its offense consistently in recent years, cracks appeared this season, especially in the secondary. In pivotal losses, Texas allowed staggering offensive yardage, indicating that while addressing a robust defense is essential, the Longhorns’ primary hurdles may lie on the offensive side.

Muschamp’s expertise with defensive backs is expected to be a remedy for past vulnerabilities, and his SEC recruiting experience could significantly enhance the team’s talent pool. However, it remains uncertain how effectively he can reintegrate play-calling into his role, as his last such experience was in 2020.

Ultimately, the article emphasizes that while Muschamp’s return might echo past glories, the Longhorns will not reclaim their status as title contenders until their offense is brought up to par.