Will Muschamp Officially Named 'Head Coach in Waiting' at Texas Once Mack Brown Retires

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Will Muschamp is known for many things: coaching tenacious defensive units; being, um, enthusiastic on the sidelines; and also being extremely, extremely patient in waiting to take a head coaching position at any university.

And now he will also be known as the Head Coach in Waiting at the University of Texas.

The University of Texas has struck an agreement with Defensive Coordinator Will Muschamp that will keep him in Austin and eventually lead him to the head coaching position for the Longhorns, Athletics Director DeLoss Dodds said on Tuesday. Details of the contract are still being finalized but it will start with Muschamp's salary being raised to $900,000 on January 1, 2009.

"This is a plan that has been enthusiastically agreed to by Mack Brown, President Powers and the Board of Regents," Dodds said. "With the landscape in college football and all of the changes around the country, I've been looking at this for the last couple of years. When it's not working, you have to go outside and make changes. Things are going well here, it's working, so it's best to be prepared to build from inside and that's what we're doing.

These HCiW gigs are kind of all the rage these days, but in this case, I tend to think it makes a lot of sense. Muschamp is universally regarded as a stud-in-waiting when it comes to head coaching abilities, he's had success everywhere he's been and he's said before that he's not yet ready for a head coaching position.

For Texas, they get to transition (whenever that is) from one phase to another without skipping a beat on the coaching search or recruiting front.

In other words, this seems to really work out well for both parties. Of course, there's always the possibility that Mack stretches out his career longer than Muschamp is willing to wait, but generally speaking, this appears to be a pretty smart long term move.

Thanks to Mr. Brahkowski for the heads up

Latest College Football Photos

Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp speaks during a news conference held by the NCAA college football team Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2008, in Austin, Texas. It was announced that Muschamp has been designated head-coach-in-waiting to take over the Longhorns program when Mack Brown retires. (AP Photo/Harry Cabluck)

Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, left, departs after a news conference held by the NCAA college football team Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2008, in Austin, Texas. It was announced by athletic director DeLoss Dodds, right, that Muschamp has been designated head-coach-in-waiting to take over the Longhorns program when Mack Brown, center, retires. (AP Photo/Harry Cabluck)

Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, right, speaks during a news conference held by the NCAA college football team Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2008, in Austin, Texas. It was announced by athletic director DeLoss Dodds, left, that Muschamp has been designated head-coach-in-waiting to take over the Longhorns program when Mack Brown retires. (AP Photo/Harry Cabluck)

In this Sept. 27, 2008 photo, Ohio State tailback Chris "Beanie" Wells runs during an NCAA college football game against Minnesota in Columbus, Ohio. Wells is perhaps the most important figure in the 105th meeting against their old rivals Michigan. With freshman Terrelle Pryor starting at quarterback for the 10th-ranked Buckeyes, it's unlikely that ultra-conservative coach Jim Tressel will take any chances. That means that Wells will be called upon early and often against a Wolverines defense surrendering just 128 yards a game on the ground. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)

Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno answers a question during his weekly news conference on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2008 in State College, Pa. Penn State plays at home against Michigan State on Saturday. (AP Photo/Pat Little)

Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno waves to a long-time friend after his weekly news conference on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2008 in State College, Pa. Penn State plays at home against Michigan State on Saturday. (AP Photo/Pat Little)

Penn State linebacker Josh Hull (43) and Navorro Bowman (18) move in on Indiana's Demetrius McCray (22) during the first half of their NCAA college football game at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pa., Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008. Penn State won 34-7. After a confidence-boosting win over Indiana, it didn't take linebacker Josh Hull long to think about what lies ahead for No. 7 Penn State. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Penn State coach Joe Paterno uses a cane as he leaves his post-game news conference after Penn St. beat Indiana 34-7 in their NCAA college football game at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pa., Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

11-18-2008 @ 7:36PM

Khaled said...

I think Will Muschamp will be a great coach when Mack Brown retires.(I hope no time soon- He's great!)

11-18-2008 @ 9:37PM

GatorHater said...

Will, please come home to UGA. The Dawgs really need you and would love to see you do your thing Between the Hedges.
You are a perfect fit and UGA is where you truly belong. Signed, The Bulldawg Nation.

11-19-2008 @ 11:49AM

DallasSportsPrincess said...

This is great and I'm glad they're making contingency plans from the inside. Texas won't go through what so many other schools have. I was still hoping Major Applewhite would also be in succession.

11-19-2008 @ 11:52PM

Yeah I thought so too.