ESPN Analyst Highlights Key Texas Football Coaching Hire

Greg McElroy says Will Muschamp's return as defensive coordinator could be a 'quiet difference' for the Longhorns.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 5:07pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

ESPN college football analyst Greg McElroy believes the most important offseason addition for the Texas Longhorns is the return of Will Muschamp as defensive coordinator. McElroy says Muschamp, who previously served in that role under Mack Brown, is now free to focus solely on the defense and could make a major impact if the Longhorns make a run at the national championship this year.

Why it matters

Muschamp's previous stint as Texas' defensive coordinator from 2008-2010 produced some of the best defenses in the country, helping the Longhorns reach the national championship game in 2009. His return to that role, without the added responsibilities of being a head coach, could provide a significant boost to the Texas defense and their overall championship aspirations.

The details

After being fired as head coach at South Carolina, Muschamp joined Kirby Smart's staff at Georgia in various roles. Now, he's returned to Texas as defensive coordinator, replacing Pete Kwiatkowski. McElroy says Muschamp is 'coaching his tail off' and installing a complex defensive system that has the Texas program excited about the potential impact he can have.

  • Muschamp was the defensive coordinator at Texas from 2008-2010.
  • In December 2025, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian hired Muschamp as the new defensive coordinator.

The players

Will Muschamp

The new defensive coordinator for the Texas Longhorns, who previously served in that role from 2008-2010 under Mack Brown.

Greg McElroy

An ESPN college football analyst and former quarterback for the University of Alabama.

Steve Sarkisian

The current head coach of the Texas Longhorns football team.

Mack Brown

The former head coach of the Texas Longhorns football team, who was planning to retire and have Muschamp take over as head coach before changing his mind.

Pete Kwiatkowski

The former defensive coordinator for the Texas Longhorns, who was fired by Steve Sarkisian and replaced by Will Muschamp.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I don't feel like that's getting enough buzz, nationally.”

— Greg McElroy, ESPN College Football Analyst

“He is now returning to a role he is very familiar with and been very successful in, that is the defensive coordinator. You put Will Muschamp in a role where he doesn't have to worry about the whole program, he can just lock into the day to day defense, XOs, personnel evaluation, this man turns into something completely different.”

— Greg McElroy, ESPN College Football Analyst

“From inside the Texas building right now the reports about how that defense is operating have been extraordinary. He's installing a defensive system over the last few of months that's pretty complex. The quote from inside the program is that he's coaching his tail off and the belief is that Muschamp could be one of the quiet differences.”

— Greg McElroy, ESPN College Football Analyst

“If Texas goes on and wins a national title this year, Will Muschamp is going to play a huge role in that. And I want to emphasize the word 'quiet' there because this is the kind of thing that doesn't make a ton of headlines in March. But we'll fast forward to December, if Texas makes the playoff and they're in great shape, it's going to be partly because Will Muschamp is calling the defense.”

— Greg McElroy, ESPN College Football Analyst

What’s next

If Texas has a successful season and makes the College Football Playoff, the impact of Will Muschamp's return as defensive coordinator will likely be a major storyline in the lead-up to the national championship game.

The takeaway

The addition of Will Muschamp as Texas' defensive coordinator, a role he previously thrived in, could be a 'quiet difference' that helps propel the Longhorns to a national championship this season according to ESPN analyst Greg McElroy. Muschamp's focus on the defense without the added responsibilities of being a head coach could unlock the full potential of the Texas defense.