Texas defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski named a Broyles Award finalist
After coordinating one of the nation’s leading defenses and boosting the Texas Longhorns to the first ever 12-team version of the College Football Playoff, Texas defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski was named a finalist for the Broyles Award on Wednesday. The Broyles Award is given annually to the top assistant coach in college football.
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Texas has one Broyles Award winner in its history in Greg Davis, who won the honor in 2005 while coordinating the Longhorns’ most recent national championship offense. Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian won the honor himself while Alabama’s offensive coordinator in 2020.
The Longhorn defense, a strongpoint for the 2023 team that won the Big 12 Championship and made the final scheduled iteration of the four-team College Football Playoff, was the unquestioned strength of the team in 2024. With standout players at all three levels, Texas ranks No. 3 in total defense, No. 1 in passing yards allowed, No. 15 in rush defense, and No. 2 in scoring defense. Texas is the best in the nation on a per-play basis, giving up only 4.00 yards per snap.
The heart and soul of the defense is first-team All-SEC selection and Thorpe Award finalist Jahdae Barron, whose play at boundary corner and situationally as a linebacker has been the most highlight-worthy during the 2024 season. Other contributions in the secondary from Michael Taaffe, Malik Muhammad, Jaylon Guilbeau, Andrew Mukuba, and Jelani McDonald have turned what was once a weakness and point of criticism into an unquestioned strength.
Linebacker play from Anthony Hill, David Gbenda, and Liona Lefau have backed up a defensive line that minimized the departures of T’Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy. Led by Alfred Collins, Vernon Broughton, and Barryn Sorrell, Texas’ defensive front has stifled opponents almost all season. Young stars like Colin Simmons have made their presence felt and showed Texas has a defense worth respecting for years to come.
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Texas’ defense ranks No. 2 in defensive SP+ behind No. 1 Ohio State. The Longhorns are No. 1 in defensive FEI. Those two rankings indicate that Texas is doing more than just limiting yards. Rather, the Longhorns are making moving the ball downfield a near impossible task.
Kwiatkowski, in his fourth year calling the Longhorn defense, has improved his side of the ball year over year. Texas was No. 100 in total defense in 2021, his first season coordinating the Texas Longhorns. He improved UT to No. 54 in 2022, then again to No. 35 in 2023 before taking one of the top places in the nation. Kwiatkowski has been helped by defensive assistants Terry Joseph, Blake Gideon, Johnny Nansen, and Kenny Baker in 2024.
Other finalists are Arizona State offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo, Indiana defensive coordinator Bryant Haines, Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden, and Tennessee defensive coordinator Tim Banks.
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The Broyles Award is presented by Oaklawn, Hot Springs, Ark. and will take place at Oaklawn on February 13th, 2025. Proceeds from the 2024 Broyles Award support the mission of the Broyles Foundation: to provide a game plan through education, support, and resources to Alzheimer’s caregivers. The Broyles Foundation can be followed on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
