How the head coaching carousel affected the Texas Longhorns

There has seemingly been as many coaching changes in college football over the past two months as players entering the transfer portal. Such is the world in which the sport is competed.

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While that may be just a little bit of an exaggeration, the two are definitely related because a player might not want to take the field for the coach that comes into a school or may even want to follow a position coach that they’ve grown to love to that coach’s next job.

But now that the head coaching carousel has stopped spinning with DeShaun Foster taking the UCLA head coaching gig, how did it affect Texas as it begins its runup to its first season as a member of the Southeastern Conference?

Well, we know the Longhorns will be without an assistant that coached Texas into a berth in the College Football Playoff and its most successful campaign since 2009 thanks to the carousel spinning. 

Jeff Choate, the Longhorns’ co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach from 2021-23, left the 40 Acres to take the head coaching job at Nevada.

But what other effects were there? Here are three changes and two coaches that didn’t move that will have an impact on Texas in the coming season and in the years ahead:

Movers

Nick Saban, Alabama > Retired

The loss of one of the most successful coaches in college football history had a trickle-down effect, as the Crimson Tide scrambled to fill his shoes (which is impossible) before players abandoned the program that Saban has built and nurtured. The position was taken by Kalen DeBoer, who guided Washington into the CFP championship game in 2023. Texas does not play Alabama in the regular season in 2024, but the G.O.A.T. heading to spend time at the lake (or work for ESPN) has a massive effect on the other 15 teams in the league.

Jim Harbaugh, Michigan > Los Angeles Chargers

Harbaugh was never not going to the NFL after coaching the Wolverines to the national championship this season, as his work rebuilding Michigan into a powerhouse was done. But he leaves just as the NCAA looks to penalize the school for rules violations committed in his tenure, and those could have an effect on success of Michigan and Sherrone Moore (who was elevated from offensive coordinator) in the near future. The Longhorns play at Michigan in week 2 of the 2024 season in what is already being billed as one of the year’s biggest non-conference contests.

Mike Elko, Duke > Texas A&M

Elko was a huge success with the Blue Devils, making Duke football pertinent again the past two seasons, and returns to College Station after being defensive coordinator for the fired Jimbo Fisher from 2018-2021. The Aggies would give anything to be important in college football again and even relevant in the SEC, which will be even more difficult with Texas and Oklahoma joining the league in July. Elko has a great reputation for developing players and teams but may need a few years to get that done. The Longhorns and Aggies will play on Nov. 30 in College Station for the first time since A&M departed for the SEC in July 2012.

One more of note: Oklahoma offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby to Mississippi State. The Longhorns play the Bulldogs on September 28.

Texas’ schedule: Louisiana-Monroe, who visits Austin on September 21, hired Bryant Vincent as head coach during the offseason.

Stayers

Steve Sarkisian, Texas

Sark was reportedly one of the first coaches offered the Alabama job when Saban retired but he chose to stay at Texas and continue the process he started in 2021. “I came here to win championships. That’s the goal,” Sarkisian said in a video released by the university “We’re here to chase greatness, to win championships. This is the University of Texas, and people are going to want to be part of it.” The Longhorns, with Heisman Trophy contender Quinn Ewers returning, are expected to be ranked in the preseason Top 5.

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Sam Pittman, Arkansas

Pittman was retained by the Razorbacks despite suffering through a 4-8 campaign and finishing 1-7 in conference play (tied for last in the West division) in 2023. Arkansas endured a six-game losing streak in midseason but five of the losses – including setbacks against Alabama, LSU and Ole Miss – were by a touchdown or less. Pittman is 23-24 (11-22 SEC) in four seasons leading the Razorbacks, with one of those wins a dominating home victory over Texas in 2021. The Longhorns travel back to the land of the Hogs with a game in Fayetteville on Nov. 18.

One more of note: Florida head coach Billy Napier remained in Gainesville after an 11-14 start to his tenure. The Longhorns play the Gators on November 9.

Texas’ schedule: Jeff Traylor, who was linked to the Texas A&M and Houston openings, remained at UTSA.