Jeff Choate to remain with Texas through CFP while balancing Nevada responsibilities
Texas co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Jeff Choate was introduced as the head coach of the Nevada Wolf Pack football program in Reno, Nev. on Monday.
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During his introductory press conference, he was asked by NevadaSportsNet how he would balance his responsibilities as head coach with the Longhorns’ pursuit of a national championship beginning with their Sugar Bowl matchup with the Washington Huskies.
“I think there’s two things that go into that. Number one, my primary responsibility is to these young men at this institution at this point. But Coach (Steve) Sarkisian has been through these experiences too as an assistant coach taking a head coaching role.
How many times are you going to get to play for a national championship? It’s not really about me. It’s about providing consistency for the players on the defensive side of the ball so that when we go to install meetings or we go to practice, the rhythm of their day is the same. The balancing act is really going to be once we start bowl practices.
The good news is, I’ll pretty much be here rocking and rolling until the 15th. We’re not practicing until the 15th. There’s going to be some long days, but I think the right thing to do is to provide consistency and stability for the guys in the program there and finish the mission at Texas. In the interim, I will have had a chance to put the pieces in place to move this thing forward. A lot of the guys will be off campus during that time anyway.”
Choate, who has been on Sarkisian’s staff since 2021, arrived at Texas after a four-year stint as head coach of Montana State. He was 28-22 in Bozeman, Mont. and reached the semifinals of the FCS tournament in 2019 as part of an 11-4 campaign.
“I’m so happy for Coach Choate and his opportunity to lead the program at Nevada,” Sarkisian said. “He’s a tremendous coach, such a high-energy guy, and is passionate about the players. He has tons of experience, all the traits you want in a head coach, is a tremendous leader in every way, and will do great things for Wolf Pack football. We’re so grateful for everything he did for Texas and are excited that he’s going to continue to coach with us through the CFP.”
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Choate has been with the Longhorns since 2021, and has coached players like DeMarvion Overshown and Jaylan Ford while helping to bring in strong linebacker recruiting classes in the process.
Said Choate in a statement, “I would like to thank all of the players, past and present, for the incredible impact they have had on me as a human being and a coach. And I would like to thank Chris Del Conte and Steve Sarkisian for their support and encouragement, as I take this next step in my journey.”
Choate replaces Ken Wilson, who was 4-20 in his two seasons as head coach of the Wolf Pack.
Texas battles Washington in the Allstate Sugar Bowl on January 1, 2024 as part of the College Football Playoff semifinals.
