Yesterday, UT promoted defensive coordinator Will Muschamp to head coach-designate, meaning that Muschamp will take over as head coach of the ‘Horns when Mack Brown retires.
At least in theory.
I just want to go on record to suggest that there’s no way it’s a 100% certainty that Muschamp is the next head coach of the ‘Horns. This move is all about keeping Muschamp in Austin, and is about the University letting him leave on their terms. AD Deloss Dodds mentioned the two reasons for making this move: (1) to keep Muschamp in Austin, and (2) for having a smooth transition when Mack does decide to retire. By making Muschamp the highest-paid assistant in the country, and by declaring him heir to one of the best jobs in college football (and, I assume, by including language in the contract to limit his ability to pursue other jobs because of his new position), UT has certainly got their man. And, for Muschamp, this seems like a pretty sweet deal: he’s got a major pay raise to keep doing the same job, and has the promise of taking over when presumably both he and Mack are ready for it to happen. The deal looks like a win-win.
But regarding the issue of the deal providing a “smooth transition” for Mack’s retirement, I’m gonna call BS. Everything’s rosy in Austin now- after winning a title in 2005, and with the possibility of winning another one this year (don’t discount the fact that if Texas is denied a title shot it will be the fault of the voters rather than Mack), coach Brown is riding high. And Muschamp (“He’s so intense! He bloodies himself on the sideline! Boom!”) is certainly an awesome DC, and has done an impressive job with the Texas defense in a single year. He’s been the defensive MVP this year for UT (with all apologies to Orakpo).
But say something happens over the coming couple of years that hints Muschamp isn’t fit for being a HC. Or maybe, that there’s a better candidate out there for the position. The point is that we don’t know, because that’s down the road. Unless Mack is ready to retire after this season (and all indications are that he is not), we don’t know what college football (or UT football) is going to look like when he is. And you better believe that UT is going to hire the best candidate for the job when it becomes available, whether that is Muschamp or not. If it turns out that hiring someone other than Muschamp provides the “smooth transition” that Dodds is talking about, then I’m sure the University will do that.
Now I’m not saying that Muschamp wouldn’t be a great HC, and I’m not saying that I don’t like the guy. I think he’s awesome, and has been great for UT. I just think this move is way more about locking him up in the short-term rather than promoting him to HC in the long-term. After losing two defensive coordinators (Greg Robinson and Gene Chizik) to head coaching positions in recent years, UT has to do what’s necessary to keep their latest defensive mastermind. If what it takes to do that is promising him the kingdom, then I guess that’s just the cost of doing business.
Posted by gb 
