Key Points
- Texas fired defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski after a disappointing 10-3 season.
- Will Muschamp was hired, boosting recruiting efforts, especially with prospect Montre Jackson.
- Muschamp’s NFL-style defense and reputation are energizing Texas’s 2026 defensive recruiting.
The Texas Longhorns are coming off a disappointing season in 2025. For the first time in program history, the Longhorns entered the year ranked No. 1 in the country in the preseason AP poll.
However, the team finished with a record of 10-3 and missed the College Football Playoff for the first time in three seasons. As a result, Texas made a significant decision to fire defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski, who had been with the team since Steve Sarkisian became head coach in 2021.
The Longhorns appointed a familiar name to Texas fans, Will Muschamp, as Kwiatkowski’s replacement. Muschamp served as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Texas from 2008-10 under then-head coach Mack Brown. After leaving Texas, he became the head coach of the Florida Gators and South Carolina Gamecocks and most recently worked as a defensive analyst for the Georgia Bulldogs.
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Muschamp has already made a significant impact on recruiting efforts. According to Sam Spiegelman from Rivals, the Longhorns are expressing strong interest in several prospects, including four-star defensive back Montre Jackson.
Jackson, who is 6-foot-1 and weighs 170 pounds, is from Texas and is ranked among the top 200 prospects in the nation, as well as being a top 20 player at his position. Texas has moved ahead of the Oklahoma Sooners, SMU Mustangs and Duke Blue Devils in Jackson’s list of contenders.
“They really made me feel like a priority guy and it definitely means a lot to me,” Jackson said to Spiegelman. “They’re definitely trending to No. 1.”
Muschamp’s hiring signals a philosophical reset on the defensive side of the ball for Sarkisian, and early recruiting movement suggests the message is resonating. Texas placing itself in position with an in-state, top-200 defensive back underscores how quickly Muschamp’s reputation and familiarity with the program are translating into tangible momentum.
Landing Jackson would be an immediate statement for the new defensive staff, particularly after Texas struggled for consistency in key moments last season. Muschamp’s NFL-style defensive background and track record with defensive backs is a major selling point, especially for prospects seeking development and early playing opportunities.
With official visits approaching and summer recruiting heating up, Texas is expected to remain aggressive on the defensive trail. Muschamp’s next few weeks could shape the Longhorns’ 2026 defensive class and potentially set the tone for a bounce-back season in Austin.
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About the author
Jaron Spor
Trending News Writer, Athlon Sports