The wheels have already starting moving with the hire of new head coach Steve Sarkisian. It was reported on Sunday that running back’s coach Stan Drayton would return in 2021. The same cannot be said for offensive line coach Herb Hand and strength and conditioning coach Yancy McKnight.
Pete Thamel of Yahoo Sports reported early on Monday that McKnight would not return. McKnight had been part of the program since Herman’s arrival in Austin. He was with him at Houston and Iowa State before coming to Texas. With Sark being named head coach, it comes as no surprise that he will bring his own guys in for the most part.
Later on Monday, offensive line coach Herb Hand tweeted out his goodbyes as it was reported by multiple outlets that he would likely be gone as well.
From the Hand family to the men who we have been honored to work with in Austin…Thank y’all.
We love you and are so appreciative for all you gave to our UNIT, the team and The University of Texas.
You ALL have greatness in your future…proud to count you among “my guys”. pic.twitter.com/Rqo8CR4lyN
— Herb Hand (@CoachHand) January 4, 2021
Hand came over from Auburn one season into the Herman era. The development and recruiting by the offensive line coach came into question after three years on the Forty Acres. Now Sark will need to fill out the rest of the staff.
Names that have been floated around are Kyle Flood as the next offensive coordinator for Texas. He is currently the offensive line coach at Alabama, who just won the Joe Moore Award given to the best offensive line group. Flood would immediately improve the group upfront.
The discussion of Flood is a clear indication that Mike Yurcich’s time in Austin is likely up as well. In the coming days, we should have a better idea of who could be in line to join Sark’s staff for Texas.
This situation will continue to be monitored.
