If the Texas Longhorns win the College Football Playoff National Championship next January, as CBS Sports' Brandon Marcello predicts, former Auburn Tigers defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, who had two tenures as DC on the Plains and now replaces Pete Kwiatkowski in the same role in Austin, and transfer receiver Cam Coleman figure to be major reasons why.
Per Marcello, "No program made more money moves to win a championship than Texas in the offseason. From surprise firings and hirings (Will Muschamp in as defensive coordinator), to stealing the best receivers (Auburn's Cam Coleman) and running backs (NC State's Hollywood Smothers), the Longhorns have built a roster that's even better than the one that started last season at No. 1 in the polls. The difference this season is that Texas will end the year atop the polls and hoist the national championship trophy in January. Arch Manning started slow last season, settled down and was fantastic in the second half of the year, throwing 15 touchdowns against only two interceptions. He'll be even better this fall. The defense returns a lot of elite pieces, and Muschamp just does not disappoint in calling plays. Steve Sarkisian silences the critics and the 'Horns win their first national title since Vince Young dethroned the USC dynasty in 2005."
Muschamp brings a Mint Front-heavy 3-4 base to a Longhorns defense that excels at the tackle position. Coleman brings a Ryan Wingo complement who could potentially be WR1 if enough chemistry is formed with Arch Manning.
Different eras of Auburn near-greats who never made good on their potential in East Central Alabama and instead chose to chase bigger bags elsewhere in the SEC.
Will Muschamp could be Texas' coach-in-waiting
Coleman is likely NFL-bound if he can finally make good on the 5-star potential every recruiting service saw in him. Muschamp, on the other hand, could be a long-term plan for Texas at the head coaching spot.
Steve Sarkisian could pursue the head coaching job at his alma mater, the BYU Cougars, if the politics in Austin weigh too heavily on him and Kalani Sitake ends up taking a bigger offer during the next hiring cycle. Muschamp could handle the defensive side of the ball and find a play-caller, while the Longhorns reload on that side of the ball after likely losing Coleman, Manning, Wingo, running backs Hollywood Smothers and Raleek Brown, and nearly their entire interior offensive line to the pros.
We'll see soon enough what the future has in store for just south of the Heart of Texas in 2027 and beyond. Muschamp could be back in the head coaching seat there if enough things break right.
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