Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart spoke with the media ahead of Georgia’s Sugar Bowl game against the Ole Miss Rebels on Jan. 1. Among the topics of conversation was former Georgia analyst Will Muschamp taking the defensive coordinator position with the Texas Longhorns.
“I’m so happy for him,” Smart said on Muschamp. “He loves coaching. He loved coaching when he was here. It was hard for him to step away, and he felt like he needed to, and I had so much respect for him.
“And, shoot, he helped us replace him with the guys we got, and he helped us tremendously in that role. He helped us tremendously this year throughout the year. And he’s been really good to me personally, and he’s been great to Georgia, and he’s been really good to a lot of players that he’s recruited.”
Muschamp did not have a large of a role with Georgia this season, but it is clear that Smart still appreciates his contributions. Muschamp finally had some time off in 2025 and got to spend Thanksgiving with his family for the first time in 30 years.
“When he had an opportunity to jump back in, I know he loves it,” Smart said. “I think he missed it dearly. He talked to his family about it, his wife and his boys, and they all supported him. And he’s going to a great place to work for a great man. There’s not many better opportunities out there to go coach and play than a place like Texas where you’ve got a lot of infrastructure in place to help you. So wish him nothing but the best.”
Muschamp is expected to be one of the highest paid defensive coordinators in college football. He’ll inherit a talented Longhorns‘ roster that will come with sky-high expectations.
Muschamp joined the Georgia coaching staff in 2021 and helped the Bulldogs win a pair of national championships. He was previously the head coach for the South Carolina Gamecocks (2016-2020) and Florida Gators (2011-2014). He actually worked at Texas from 2008-2010 and is excited to return to the Longhorns. He also played college football at UGA in the 1990s.
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This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: Kirby Smart ‘so happy’ for Will Muschamp taking the Texas DC job
