 
Will Muschamp, a 14-year coaching veteran who has coordinated successful defenses at both the collegiate and NFL levels, joined the Texas staff in January 2008 as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach and begins his second season at UT. In November of 2008, Muschamp was named head coach designate and agreed to remain at Texas as defensive coordinator and eventually succeed Mack Brown. Muschamp is considered one of the nation's premier defensive coordinators and was a 2007 Broyles Award Finalist (nation's top assistant coach). He joined the Texas staff after spending the previous two years as defensive coordinator at Auburn and six years prior to that as a defensive coordinator in college and the NFL. In Muschamp's first season, the Longhorns' aggressive defense led the nation in sacks (3.62 spg), ranked third in rushing defense (83.5 ypg) and 18th in scoring defense (18.8 ppg), despite playing in the explosive Big 12. Texas led the conference in scoring defense, total defense and rushing defense and was second in pass efficiency defense. The defense's leader was DE Brian Orakpo, who claimed the Nagurski Trophy, the Lombardi Award, the Hendricks Award and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors, while becoming UT's 19th unanimous All-American. The linebackers excelled under Muschamp with junior Roddrick Muckelroy leading the team in tackles with 112 and earning second-team All-Big 12 honors. Junior Sergio Kindle was named first-team All-Big 12 after amassing 10 sacks and 14 TFL as part of 53 tackles, and junior Jared Norton was fourth on the team with 54 tackles. He also helped guide two freshman safetys into starting positions, where Earl Thomas would earn first-team Freshman All-America honors and Blake Gideon would be named second-team Freshman All-America. In his five years as a coordinator at Auburn and LSU, Muschamp's defenses have ranked among the nation's top 10 in total defense five times and scoring defense three times, while ranking in the top 15 in scoring defense the other two. During Muschamp's two seasons at Auburn, where he coached the secondary while coordinating the defense, the Tigers held 21 of their 26 opponents to 20 points or fewer. No. 21 Auburn, which knocked off No. 16 Clemson, 23-20, in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, finished the season ranked sixth nationally in scoring defense (16.9 ppg), total defense (297.9 ypg) and passing defense (173.2 ypg). His unit held Heisman Trophy finalist Darren McFadden of Arkansas to a season-low 43 yards rushing. Auburn also held five of its last seven opponents to 10 points or fewer. In 2006, Muschamp's Auburn defense ranked seventh nationally in scoring defense (13.9 ppg) and allowed just 21 TDs on the year, which ranked eighth nationally. That unit also allowed just 292.3 yards (19th NCAA) of offense per game. Muschamp spent the 2005 season in the NFL, serving as the Miami Dolphins assistant head coach for defense. He led the Dolphins to top 10 rankings in yards per play (4.7/7th), yards per rush (3.7/7th) and yards per pass (6.0/9th) and Miami ranked second in the NFL in sacks (49) that year. The Dolphins posted a 9-7 record and finished the year with a six-game winning streak. Prior to his stop in the NFL, Muschamp coached linebackers at LSU in 2001 and served as defensive coordinator and linebackers for the Tigers from 2002-04. During his tenure, LSU won the 2003 National Championship and two SEC titles (2001, 2003). His defense led the nation in total defense (252.0 ypg) and scoring defense (11.0 ppg) and played a key role in the Tigers claiming the 2003 National Championship. That unit topped the SEC in every major defensive category and also ranked second nationally in pass efficiency defense (89.8 rating) and third in rushing defense (67.0 ypg). In 2004, LSU ranked third nationally in total defense (256.9 ypg), fifth in passing defense (157.2 ypg) and seventh in rushing defense (99.8 ypg). Muschamp's defense also allowed just 17.1 points per game (14th NCAA). In 2002, he led a defense that ranked eighth nationally in total defense (266.8 ypg) and 15th in scoring defense (18.3 ppg). The Tigers led the SEC and ranked fifth nationally in passing efficiency defense (93.9 rating) and ranked second nationally allowing just 152.7 passing yards per game that year. Muschamp began his coaching career as a graduate assistant coach at Auburn (1995-96), where he earned a Master's Degree in 1996. He coached the secondary at West Georgia in 1998 and Eastern Kentucky in 1999 before earning his first defensive coordinator position at Valdosta State in 2000. The 1994 Georgia graduate was a four-year lettermen at safety for the Bulldogs (1991-94) where he was teammates with current UT football staff members George Wynn and Donnie Maib. Current UT coaches Greg Davis and Mac McWhorter also served on the Georgia coaching staff during that period. Muschamp was selected as a defensive co-captain as a senior and was a part of two bowl teams. He also earned a spot on the SEC Academic Honor Roll in 1993. A native of Rome, Ga., Muschamp and his wife, Carol, have two sons, Jackson and Whit. THE WILL MUSCHAMP FILE Coaching Assignments College Bowl Experience |
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