Deja vu: Muschamp leaves AU, heads to Texas

Collin Mickle
Staff Writer

Will Muschamp’s decision is in.
And Auburn’s search for his replacement has already begun.
The Auburn defensive coordinator is headed to Austin, Texas, to take the same post with the Texas Longhorns.
Muschamp informed AU head coach Tommy Tuberville of his decision in a one-on-one meeting Friday afternoon. He spent all day Thursday in Austin, meeting with UT head coach Mack Brown.
He replaces departed Texas co-coordinator Larry Mac Duff, who resigned Wednesday, citing “philosophical differences.” Mac Duff shared the coordinator title with Duane Akina, but according to a UT press release, Muschamp will be the sole defensive coordinator in 2008.
“We’re thrilled to have Will joining our staff,” Brown said in the UT press release.
Under Muschamp’s direction in ‘07, the Auburn defense ranked fifth nationally in scoring defense and eighth in total defense. AU is expected to return eight starters in 2008. Texas ranked 47th in scoring defense and 53rd in total defense last season.
Muschamp was a finalist for the Broyles Award — given annually to the nation’s top assistant coach — this season.
Muschamp’s Texas salary was not disclosed. His two-year Auburn contract paid him at least $325,000 last season; he had already been approved for a $100,000 raise had he stayed on the Plains.
Texas coordinators Mac Duff and Akina each reportedly earned $300,000 last season.
Auburn will begin its search for a replacement immediately and is expected to have a new coordinator on staff before National Signing Day, Feb. 6.
Muschamp was a key part of AU’s recruiting efforts. He had a hand in recruiting each of the seven defensive players who have verbally committed to the Tigers.
Muschamp was responsible for recruiting North Georgia for AU. He was the lead recruiter on two of Auburn’s top remaining prospects: Defensive end Keith Wells of Gainesville, Ga., and safety Neiko Lipscomb of Tucker, Ga. Both are rated three-star prospects by Rivals.com
Linebacker Jerrell Harris of Gadsden, a four-star prospect, was also a Muschamp target.
Tuberville did not return calls seeking a comment Friday, but released a statement through Auburn’s media relations department.
“Will did a great job for us during his two years at Auburn,” Tuberville said in the statement. “He has a great work ethic and is a very knowledgeable coach that has been successful at every stop of his career. We wish him the very best in his new endeavors.”
Muschamp also issued a statement through AU’s media relations department.
“First, I want to thank coach Tuberville for giving me the opportunity to coach at a special place like Auburn,” the statement said. “He was a great coach to work for and the I had a chance to work with an outstanding staff. I want to thank the players for the effort they gave over the last two seasons.”
Muschamp is the second defensive coordinator in three years to leave AU for the same position at Texas. Gene Chizik went from Auburn to Austin after the 2004 season.
At the time, Chizik said working for Brown would improve his chances of becoming a head coach.
In the Texas press release, Muschamp said he was impressed by the Longhorns’ history.
“I’m really excited about the opportunity to work for Mack Brown and The University of Texas,” Muschamp said. “Having followed the Longhorns as a player, coach and fan of college football, I always had a lot of respect for the program, but after visiting the campus, I’m even more impressed.
“When you think about Texas, you see all of the championships, the great coaches like Darrell Royal and great players like Earl Campbell and Tommy Nobis. Having an opportunity to work at a place like that with such a proud tradition and history excites a young coach like me.”
Muschamp, who played defensive back at Georgia from 1991-94, was a graduate assistant at Auburn from 1995-96. He spent one year each at West Georgia, Eastern Kentucky and Valdosta State before then-LSU head coach Nick Saban hired him as to coach linebackers at LSU in 2001.
Saban promoted Muschamp to defensive coordinator in 2002; the Bayou Bengals won a national title in 2003. Muschamp followed Saban to the NFL’s Miami Dolphins for in 2005, then left the Dolphins for AU.

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