Longhorns fire DC Kwiatkowski, hire Muschamp in Texas Football shocker

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In a stunning move, Texas Football coach Steve Sarkisian has initiated a major staff change that brings the former "Coach In Waiting" back to Austin. The Longhorns are parting ways with defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski and passing game coordinator Duane Akina. The program also announced the hiring of former UT DC Will Muschamp.

Kwiatkowski was part of Steve Sarkisian’s original staff at Texas when he was hired in 2021. Kwiatkowski, who arrived at Texas from Washington when Sark was putting his staff together, helmed stout Longhorn defenses in 2023 and 2024. But in 2025, UT was No. 101 in passing yards per game allowed after ranking seventh in the stat in 2024. Texas was No. 49 in team passing efficiency defense in 2025 after finishing the 2024 season No. 2 in the statistic.

Akina just finished his first year back on the Forty Acres. He was part of Mack Brown‘s staff for 13 seasons. Akina spent 2001-2013 with the Longhorns. The veteran coach was Arizona’s defensive coordinator in 2024.

"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 in a press release. "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."

Sark brings Muschamp back to Austin for his second stint with the Longhorns as defensive coordinator. The first time saw such success, Muschamp was unofficially dubbed the "coach in waiting."

"But at this time, we just felt it was best for our program to move in a different direction, and having the opportunity to hire Will Muschamp provides us the leadership to take our defense to another level," Sark said in the press release. "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."

Muschamp was the Longhorns defensive coordinator under Mack Brown from 2008-2010. His defenses at Texas were some of the best in the country and helped the Longhorns reach the national championship game in 2009. The plan was for Brown to retire and Muschamp take over soon after the national title game. But when Brown indicated he would continue coaching at Texas, Muschamp left to become the head coach for the Florida Gators.

Since leaving Austin, Muschamp has served as head coach in Gainesville, defensive coordinator at Auburn, head coach at South Carolina and various roles for Kirby Smart at Georgia.

His stint in Athens started as a defensive analyst in 2021. Smart said Muschamp would "help coach the coaches." But instead, Muschamp took over as special teams coordinator prior to the start of the season after Scott Cochran, the incumbent special teams coordinator, stepped away for health-related reasons.

After Dan Lanning left Athens to become the head coach of the Oregon Ducks, Muschamp was promoted to co-defensive coordinator of the Bulldogs, alongside Glenn Schumann in 2022. Georgia would go on to win the national championship that season.

After the 2023 season, Georgia announced Muschamp would transition to an off-field analyst role so he could spend more time with his family.

"This is an exciting day for the Muschamp family," Muschamp said in a statement. "We loved our time in Austin and truly enjoyed everything about working with Texas Football. We're thrilled to be coming back to a program with one of the richest and proudest histories and traditions in college football. With what Coach Sark has done in rebuilding this program – knowing there are even better days ahead – I was fired up for the opportunity. I have tremendous respect and admiration for Sark, how he leads his program, develops his team and players, builds culture and goes about his business. I'm excited to be a part of it and can't wait to get started, Hook 'em!"

Will Muschamp Coaching Experience

  • 2025-present: Texas (Defensive Coordinator)
  • 2024: Georgia (Defensive Analyst)
  • 2022-23: Georgia (Co-Defensive Coordinator)
  • 2021: Georgia (Defensive Analyst/Special Teams Coord.)
  • 2016-20: South Carolina (Head Coach)
  • 2015: Auburn (Defensive Coordinator)
  • 2011-14: Florida (Head Coach)
  • 2008-10: Texas (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers)
  • 2006-07: Auburn (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers)
  • 2005: Miami Dolphins (Assistant Head Coach)
  • 2002-04: LSU (Defensive Coordinator)
  • 2001: LSU (Linebackers)
  • 2000: Valdosta State (Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs)
  • 1999: Eastern Kentucky (Defensive Backs)
  • 1998: West Georgia College (Defensive Backs)
  • 1995-96: Georgia (Graduate Assistant)

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This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Texas Football Bombshell: Longhorns fire DC Kwiatkowski, hire Muschamp

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