Texas Hires Muschamp as Defensive Coordinator

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian announced on Thursday that the Longhorns have fired defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski and defensive passing game coordinator Duane Akina, hiring former Florida and South Carolina head coach Will Muschamp to take over as defensive coordinator.

The move comes 13 days before Texas faces Michigan in the Citrus Bowl on New Year's Eve at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. Kwiatkowski, who had led the defense for five seasons, was a finalist for the Broyles Award, recognizing the nation's top assistant coach, after the 2024 season. Akina had returned to the program for the past year. Sarkisian praised both coaches in a statement, saying, "We appreciate all that Pete Kwiatkowski has done for the program in his five years coordinating our defense and are grateful for Duane Akina's efforts in returning to the program this past year. They are both tremendous coaches and people that worked extremely hard for Texas Football and the players they coached. We have had a great deal of success, are thankful for the roles they played in that, and wish them the best."

Muschamp, 53, returns to Texas for a second stint as defensive coordinator, having...