Texas Longhorns head football coach Steve Sarkisian announced changes to the team's defensive staff. Defensive Coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski and Defensive Backs Coach Duane Akina will not return for the 2026-27 season.
Taking over for Kwiatkowski, who had served the Longhorns for five seasons, is former Defensive Coordinator Will Muschamp, who is returning to the team.
Texas is hiring former SEC head coach as new defensive coordinator
Texas has announced DC Pete Kwiatkowski and DB coach Duane Akina have been relieved of their duties.
— HornSports (@HornSports) December 18, 2025
Will Muschamp has already been hired to replace Kwiatkowsi. #HookEm
Muschamp formerly called the shots on defense for the Horns back in 2008-2010, playing a pivotal role in the 2009 BCS National Championship appearance.
"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," said Sarkisian on Thursday. "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.
Sarkisian spoke excitedly of Muschamp, stating, "Having the opportunity to hire Will Muschamp provides us the leadership to take our defense to another level. Will is a guy I've known for a long time, always admired, and is as good of a defensive mind and coach as I've ever coached against. His defenses are relentless- he absolutely gets the best out of his staff and players and is such an extremely well-respected coach. I know Longhorn Nation knows him well, he led some incredible defenses here on the Forty, and I'm so fired up to be bringing him back to Texas. He'll be an awesome addition to our staff."
Following Muschamp's time at Texas, he would serve as the Head Coach of Florida for three years and of South Carolina for four. He'd then serve on Georgia's defensive staff until 2025, where he served as an off-field analyst. This is his first time as the main Defensive Coordinator at Auburn since 2015.
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