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Steve Sarkisian emphasizes continuity at coordinator roles, praises new staff additions

Joe Cookby:Joe Cook•02/08/24•

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Steve Sarkisian (Jay Janner/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK)

The offices occupied by Texas head coaches and coordinators during the 2010s could have been revolving doors considering the amount of turnover at those positions. But since Steve Sarkisian arrived in 2021, he and his offensive, defensive, and special teams coordinators plus his strength coach have been able to settle into their digs.

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Sarkisian, Texas’ offensive play-caller who just agreed to a multi-year extension, is entering year four of his tenure with the same offensive coordinator in Kyle Flood, the same defensive coordinator in Pete Kwiatkowski, and the same special teams coordinator in Jeff Banks. Plus, Sarkisian’s original strength coach in Torre Becton is back for his fourth year as well. That continuity was something Sarkisian emphasized during his press conference on Wednesday, “calling it critical for stability.”

“I think that’s big for our players,” Sarkisian added.

But as Sarkisian’s program has experienced more success, like the 2023 Big 12 Championship and the ensuing College Football Playoff appearance, other schools have taken notice. Sarkisian said that “just about every coach” on the Longhorns’ assistant coaching staff was offered another job during the offseason.

Two coaches ended up taking new opportunities. Co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Jeff Choate became the head coach of the Nevada Wolfpack, bringing several members of Texas’ support staff with him. Defensive line coach Bo Davis returned to his alma mater of LSU to coach the same position in Baton Rouge.

Sarkisian hired Arizona defensive coordinator Johnny Nansen to replace Choate and tabbled Miami Dolphins assistant defensive line coach Kenny Baker as Davis’ replacement

“To bring in Johnny Nansen from Arizona, who was their defensive coordinator in a heck of a turnaround that they had last season, a guy that has worked with me in the past in Washington and USC, is a huge addition for us,” Sarkisian said. “Then to go and identify Kenny Baker from the Miami Dolphins to come to coach the defensive line, a guy that every person I call to ask about can’t rave enough about the quality of coach that he is, the way that he can relate to the players, and be demanding yet still relate to them so they can continue to grow.”

Sarkisian praised Nansen for his recruiting background on the West Coast. Plus, Nansen’s addition has already borne fruit in the form of transfer defensive tackle Tiaoalii Savea. With Baker, who came with a recommendation from Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier, Sarkisian adds a coach with roots in the Southeast, specifically Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama.

“Couldn’t be more excited to have Kenny on board for what he’s going to bring to us not only on the field but also in the recruiting ranks,” Sarkisian said.

Thanks to that continuity across most of his staff, his own extension, and the addition of new assistants with connections around the country, Sarkisian sees a chance to not only develop a roster that knows how things operate at Texas but also to tap into football talent in a number of different regions.

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“We’re going to make our hay in recruiting the state of Texas, and that goes without saying,” Sarkisian said. “But the idea that we’ve got a brand now that nationally is viewed as one of the top teams in the country where you can get a player or two from those states that are quality players I think it’s worth our while to dive a little deeper into that.”

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