Now that Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian has arrived to the Forty Acres, you can bet that there will be plenty of movement in regards to his coaching staff in the coming days.
We’re aware of a few names that Sarkisian would like to bring on board, but there’s still several vacancies to fill. The most important hire that he will make is the defensive coordinator position.
It was reported by Horns247 that Sarkisian is set to meet with defensive line coach Oscar Giles and defensive coordinator Chris Ash regarding their futures with the program. Ash just completed his first season at Texas under former head coach Tom Herman, while Giles has been part of the staff since he was brought back by Herman in 2017. Prior to that, Giles was on staff in some capacity from 2005-2013.
Along with Ash, there have been rumors surrounding Mississippi State’s Zach Arnett and Alabama’s Pete Golding as potential defensive coordinator candidates to join Sarkisian’s staff.
It’s critical to get the staff finalized in order for Texas to finish out the 2021 recruiting class on a strong note. The Longhorns currently have the No. 17 class in the country according to 247Sports composite.
Longhorns Wire staff members weigh in on who they expect to be named defensive coordinator.
Patrick Conn – Chris Ash
I have been torn quite a bit as to who should and who will be named the defensive coordinator for Texas. In my opinion, it begins and ends with Chris Ash. The job he was able to do this past season and the strides they made towards the end of the year give me confidence that he would likely be one of the holdovers from Herman’s staff. It seems like a natural fit. With plenty of changes on the offensive side of the ball, it would be less of a burden to not have a new install on the defensive side.
Cami Griffin – Zach Arnett
I have to give props to Steve Sarkisian for keeping the defensive coordinator search under wraps recently. Outside of the early reports that Texas was targeting Will Muschamp, it’s been fairly quiet since Muschamp turned the opportunity down. Regardless, this gave me the feeling that Sarkisian wants to bring in his own guy. As time continues to pass, I’m curious if Sarkisian is waiting to make this decision until he has a formal interview with Chris Ash. I feel as if Ash could fit well on this defensive staff in some capacity, but likely as the safeties coach. If I had to choose a candidate today, I’d put money on Zach Arnett.
Griffin McVeigh – Chris Ash
For some reason, this has been the position where no candidate has rose to the top as a clear-cut favorite. Personally, I am all in for retaining Chris Ash. When Tom Herman hired him before the 2020 season, it felt as if a positive change would be coming to the defense. It took some time but once Ash made a few adjustments, Texas became one of the top defenses in the Big 12. Retaining him would give him the opportunity to continue the momentum the Longhorns have on defense.
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