The Big 12 South just got a little tougher...
Longhorns snag Muschamp to be their defensive coordinator
Associated Press
Updated: January 4, 2008, 7:29 PM ET
AUSTIN -- Texas has hired Auburn defensive coordinator Will Muschamp to fill the same role with the Longhorns.
Muschamp, a finalist this season for the Broyles Award that goes to the nation's top assistant coach, was hired Friday after spending the past two seasons at Auburn. He also will coach the Texas linebackers.
Larry Mac Duff resigned this week after one season as Texas' co-defensive coordinator with Duane Akina, who is still on the staff. It is unclear if Akina will be assigned to other duties.
Muschamp was defensive coordinator for six seasons at Auburn and LSU. During those seasons, his defenses ranked among the nation's top 10 in total defense four times and scoring defense three times.
\"He has a great personality, a terrific family and is one of the bright young stars in our business,\" Texas coach Mack Brown said. \"We're anxious to get him here, working together with our defensive staff.\"
It worked out well for Brown the last time he hired a defensive coordinator from Auburn. Gene Chizik left Auburn in 2005 to become co-defensive coordinator at Texas, and the Longhorns promptly won the national championship. Chizik left after the 2006 season to become head coach at Iowa State.
Muschamp spent the last two seasons at Auburn as defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach. In 2005, he was the Miami Dolphins' assistant head coach for defense. They were second in sacks that season with 49.
Muschamp thanked the Auburn players for what they had done the past two years.
\"Auburn has a great fan base and great support for its football program. It's been a tough day and a tough decision. However, I feel that this is a decision that's best for my family,\" he said.
Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville said, \"Will did a great job for us during his two years at Auburn. He has a great work ethic and is a very knowledgeable coach that has been successful at every stop of his career. We wish him the very best in his new endeavors.\"
From 2001-04, he was the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at LSU. The Tigers won the 2003 national championship, leading the nation in total defense and scoring defense. they were second in pass efficiency defense and third in rushing defense.
\"I've admired the job coach Brown has done for a long time and followed his program at Texas closely,\" Muschamp said. \"The way he handles everything and the way he and his players represent the Longhorns on and off the field is very impressive.\"
Muschamp was a safety for four seasons at Georgia, graduating in 1994. He spent the next two seasons as a graduate assistant at Auburn, then coached the secondary at West Georgia in 1998 and Eastern Kentucky in 1999. In 2000, he was defensive coordinator at Valdosta State.
