Texas Longhorns Announce Defensive Coordinator Change Amidst Texas Defense Shakeup
The Texas Longhorns are making a significant change, with the announced Texas defense shakeup sending ripples through the college football world. Head coach Steve Sarkisian has fired defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski and parted ways with defensive passing game coordinator Duane Akina. This news, breaking on Thursday, December 18, 2025, sees the program bringing back a familiar face. Will Muschamp is the new defensive coordinator, a pivotal move in this Texas defense shakeup.
Sarkisian Explains the Texas Defense Shakeup Decision
Coach Sarkisian released a statement acknowledging the challenging nature of this Texas defense shakeup. He thanked Kwiatkowski and Akina for their service, stating they worked extremely hard for Texas Football. However, Sarkisian felt a change was necessary to invigorate the Texas Longhorns defense. “We just felt it was best for our program to move in a different direction,” he stated, emphasizing the need for a shift following the recent Texas defense shakeup. He believes Muschamp will elevate the defense. “Having the opportunity to hire Will Muschamp provides us the leadership to take our defense to another level,” Sarkisian said, highlighting the importance of this Texas defense shakeup. The current news signals a shift in strategy for the Longhorns.
Will Muschamp’s Return: A Key Part of the Texas Defense Shakeup
Will Muschamp is no stranger to Austin, and his return is a central element of this Texas defense shakeup. He previously served as Texas’ defensive coordinator from 2008 to 2010. His defenses during that era were highly successful. The 2009 Longhorns defense ranked No. 1 nationally in sacks. That team also reached the BCS National Championship Game. Muschamp was even named the “head coach in waiting” at Texas. He left Texas in 2011 for the head coaching job at Florida. He also coached South Carolina and most recently worked as a defensive assistant at Georgia. Sarkisian admires Muschamp’s defensive mind, calling him “relentless” and “extremely well-respected”.
Assessing Pete Kwiatkowski’s Tenure in the Texas Defense Shakeup
Pete Kwiatkowski joined Texas in January 2021, and his tenure is now part of the larger narrative of the Texas defense shakeup. He served as defensive coordinator for five seasons. His defense ranked 23rd nationally in scoring defense this past regular season. In the 2024 season, Texas’ defense was third in FBS scoring defense and first in total defense. However, the team missed the College Football Playoff, a contributing factor to this Texas defense shakeup. Some analysis suggested a lack of consistent aggressiveness from the Texas Longhorns defense. Kwiatkowski’s defenses at Washington and Boise State were also strong, making his departure a significant point in this Texas defense shakeup.
Duane Akina’s Second Stint and the Broader Changes
Duane Akina returned to Texas for this past season, serving as defensive passing game coordinator. His departure is another component of the ongoing Texas defense shakeup. Akina previously coached defensive backs at Texas for 13 seasons, helping develop several top defensive backs during that time. His departure marks another change on the defensive staff, contributing to the overall Texas defense shakeup.
Looking Ahead After the Texas Defense Shakeup
This defensive overhaul is a major story in Texas football, marking a significant Texas defense shakeup. Will Muschamp’s return brings a proven defensive leader and a familiar face to the Longhorns. His aggressive style is expected to energize the team following this Texas defense shakeup. The Longhorns must also replace key players who are departing. The upcoming season will be critical for the Texas Longhorns defense. This change, this Texas defense shakeup, sets a new tone for the program. The buzz around this news is significant, highlighting the constant evolution in college football and the impact of this Texas defense shakeup. This is a developing situation in Texas.
