 "Photo: Eliot Meyer; The Daily Texan")
The wait for Longhorn football fans is over.
University of Texas Athletic Director DeLoss Dodds announced Tuesday that defensive coordinator Will Muschamp will be the next head coach for the Longhorns following the retirement of current head coach Mack Brown.
“We’ve got the right person,” Dodds said. “We do not want to lose Will Muschamp. We want this kind of family.”
The terms of the contract state that once Brown retires – the 57-year-old currently has eight years remaining on his contract – Muschamp will get a five-year contract as head coach of the Longhorns. Starting Jan. 1, 2009, Muschamp will sign a new contract as defensive coordinator making $900,000 a year – becoming the highest paid defensive coordinator in the country. Muschamp is currently making $425,000 a year.
Muschamp, who was in high demand around the country for several head coaching positions, didn’t hesitate when it came time to making the decision.
“There was no thought process,” Muschamp said. “I don’t think coach Brown got it out of his mouth before I said ‘yes.’ It’s like third-and-eight, you make a call and you go.”
In just his first season as defensive coordinator, Muschamp has led the Longhorns to the best scoring defense and rushing defense in the Big 12. Muschamp’s unit also has the most sacks in the conference.
The decision to keep Muschamp was started by Brown himself. Brown didn’t want the Longhorns to lose yet another defensive coordinator – a problem he thought was responsible for recruits pulling out and smaller inconsistencies year in and year out. He didn’t like that his players had to get used to a new system every spring.
“We kept a guy I didn’t think we’d be able to keep,” Brown said.
When Brown steps down from his position, he will continue to be employed for a salary of $500,000 a year. But Brown’s not anywhere close to leaving yet.
“I don’t want someone to think this is the twilight for me because it’s not,” Brown said. “We’re competing for national championships, and I’d sure like to get another one before I get out of the way. I’m not going to be Joe Paterno and Bobby Bowden. I’m going to be here a long time and as long as it’s working.”
Muschamp’s decision had a lot to do with how much his wife, Carol, and two sons have grown comfortable in Austin.
“If I left Austin, my wife is going to stay here,” Muschamp said. “This is just a special place. Quality of life is important to me and my family, and we love being here.”
As for whether he’s ready to take the job right now, Muschamp knows there’s a lot more to learn about the position than just football.
“From the X’s and O’s and managing the team standpoint, I feel comfortable,” Muschamp said. “Coach Brown seems to say the right thing at the right time in the right way. And I need to learn how to do that.”
Muschamp’s willing to spend the next eight years, maybe more, learning how to do that.
“I hope it’s my last job,” Muschamp said. “I think this is the best job in the country, and that’s why I’m staying.”
