Texas’ defense is struggling, and now it must become Steve Sarkisian’s problem to fix. Coaches are problem solvers, but defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski has proven incapable of solving the problem. Sarkisian needs to take the reins.
The problem is pretty simple for the Longhorns. Opposing offenses are picking apart the soft coverages that Texas runs. UTSA exposed the Longhorns in Week 3, and the next week Texas Tech capitalized. The problem dates back to early last season and it isn’t going away soon.
Ultimately, you want to be able to trust your coaches. Nevertheless, Kwiatkowski has forfeited that right.
The head coach can’t do everything, but Sarkisian cannot allow Kwiatkowski to insist on being wrong his own way.
Texas pass rushers were noticeably making the effort to get upfield and get to the quarterback. Defensive backs were hustling to make plays. Unfortunately the defensive calls did not give them a chance.
Whether or not Steve Sarkisian needs to oversee the whole gameplan or intervene over the headset on nonsensical calls, the defense has become his responsibility. He needs to fix it immediately.
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