Steve Sarkisian details how Texas defense became one of nation’s best heading into College Football Playoffs
When Texas coach Steve Sarkisian arrived in Austin, he inherited a group ranked 64th nationally in total defense. The Longhorns were decent at stopping the run (38th nationally) but had a Swiss cheese secondary (108th nationally).
Four years later, Texas has the No. 1 defense in the SEC, a league known for defensive intensity. The Horns rank 13th nationally in stopping the run and first against the pass.
It’s been a remarkable turnaround for a program that had some of the worst defensive units in school history during the 2010s. Fans who suffered through 2015 and 2016 should receive free season tickets.
On Thursday, Sarkisian outlined why he thinks the Texas defense has blossomed the last four seasons under defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski and his tight-knit staff. That unit carried the Horns in November and will have to put up another strong performance in the College Football Playoffs.
Texas’ first-round foe, No. 12 seed Clemson, features a dynamic quarterback in Cade Klubnik who is an Austin native itching to make a big statement at Royal-Memorial Stadium.
“I think staff continuity has been a huge component to that,” Sarkisian said. “And I know, granted, we lost a couple coaches off of last year’s staff, and we have a couple new faces. But I think the continuity with PK, (Terry) Joseph and Blake Gideon has been huge from a players’ perspective. The messaging has remained consistent.
“I do like the additions of Johnny Nansen and Kenny Baker. I think they’ve been very helpful.”
Sarkisian then pivoted to the overall development of players who were already on the roster.
