Head coach Steve Sarkisian brought back Will Muschamp to serve as the Texas Longhorns’ defensive coordinator, marking Muschamp’s official return to the Forty Acres for the 2026 season. He is expected to reintroduce his trademark high-energy defensive approach to a program entering its third season in the SEC.
Texas Defensive Coordinator Will Muschamp Sparks Buzz With Bold Academic Dig
Muschamp officially returns to Texas nearly 15 years after his previous stint with the Longhorns, when he served under Mack Brown before leaving to lead Florida. After being hired as Sarkisian’s new defensive coordinator on Dec. 18, 2025, Muschamp observed Longhorns practice sessions ahead of the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl in late 2025.
Muschamp expressed strong enthusiasm about his second stint with Texas while also making a subtle dig at other programs regarding academic standards.
“From a length standpoint, from an athletic standpoint, some of the testing numbers, obviously, they need to have good tape,” Muschamp said. “They gotta have a good transcript. Our players actually go to school here at Texas. We actually go to class. Not like some other places. So at the end of the day, all of those things are encompassing and very important to any student athlete here.”
Muschamp previously served on Texas’ coaching staff from 2008 to 2010, an era remembered for defensive dominance. One of the elite players from that time was Sam Acho, who earned the prestigious William V. Campbell Trophy in 2010 while playing under Muschamp’s defensive leadership. During that era, Texas was a regular contender, though Muschamp now looks to rebound from a 2025 campaign that saw the defense struggle at times.
Muschamp’s 2009 Texas unit reached the BCS National Championship Game and consistently ranked among the best in the country. He returns with the goal of restoring that identity, following a 2025 season in which the unit finished with an 85.4 grade in the PFSN College Football Defense Impact rankings, placing No. 17 nationally.
For Sarkisian, Muschamp’s experience as a former head coach was a major asset in bringing him back to Austin.
“Having the opportunity to hire Will Muschamp provides us the leadership to take our defense to another level,” Sarkisian said, via CBS Sports. “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.”
Muschamp is also excited to reunite with Sarkisian, noting they share a “very like-minded” vision for building a program. The return comes with a significant financial commitment from the university.
Muschamp signed a three-year, $8.4 million contract that runs through February 2029. His salary starts at $2.7 million in 2026 and includes $100,000 annual raises, reaching $2.8 million in 2027 and $2.9 million in 2028.
