Texas Longhorns Football Announces several Coaching Staff Changes Ahead of 2025 Season. Blake Gideon, Jerry Joseph and more departs…

The Texas Longhorns football program has confirmed several significant changes to its coaching staff as the team prepares for the 2025 season. Several prominent members of the coaching staff, including safeties coach Blake Gideon, running backs coach Tashard Choice, and defensive backs coach Terry Joseph, are departing the program, with new faces being introduced to key positions.

Coaching Departures

Blake Gideon, who has served as the Longhorns’ safeties coach since 2021, is one of the most notable departures. Gideon, a former Texas player, was instrumental in developing some of the team’s standout defensive backs during his tenure. Under his leadership, the Texas secondary showed growth, but the team is now looking to take the next step in its defensive evolution. Gideon’s departure follows a trend of coaching changes that have taken place at various positions over the last few seasons.

Another significant departure is Tashard Choice, who has coached the running backs at Texas since 2021. Choice, a former NFL running back, had a big impact on the team’s rushing attack, helping develop standout backs like Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson. His departure marks the end of an era for the Longhorns’ backfield, which has been a crucial part of the team’s offensive strategy in recent years. The running game, which has consistently been one of the most reliable elements of the Texas offense, will now be in the hands of a new coach.

Terry Joseph, the defensive backs coach who joined the staff in 2021, is also leaving the program. Joseph played a critical role in coaching the secondary, a position group that has seen a resurgence under his guidance. With Joseph’s departure, Texas is now tasked with finding a new leader for its defensive backfield, which remains one of the team’s most important areas of focus going into the 2025 season.

New Coaching Hires

With the departures, head coach Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns’ administration have moved quickly to fill these key positions. The first new hire to be announced is Chad Scott, who will take over as running backs coach. Scott, who has experience coaching at various programs, including as the running backs coach at Kentucky, brings a wealth of knowledge to the Texas coaching staff. He is expected to help guide the development of the next generation of Longhorns running backs as the team transitions into a new era following the departure of Choice.

Duane Akina is returning to Texas in a new role as defensive backs coach. Akina, who previously served as the Longhorns’ defensive backs coach from 1992 to 2010, has a long history with the program and is widely regarded as one of the top defensive backs coaches in college football history. His return to Austin is seen as a homecoming, and he is expected to bring stability and expertise to a secondary that has shown promise but still has areas in need of improvement.

LaAllan Clark is also joining the Longhorns staff as outside linebackers coach. Clark, who has a strong background coaching linebackers, will be tasked with further developing one of the key positions in the Texas defense. Clark’s addition is expected to help enhance the team’s pass rush, which will be crucial in competing at the highest level in the Big 12.

Finally, Mark Orphey will be stepping into the role of safeties coach, replacing Gideon. Orphey, who has worked with several prominent programs, including as the safeties coach at Kansas State, is expected to bring fresh ideas to the Longhorns’ defense. His experience and coaching pedigree will be critical in developing the team’s safeties into a cohesive unit that can compete at a championship level.

Looking Ahead

The changes to the Texas Longhorns’ coaching staff are a clear indication that the program is positioning itself for sustained success as it enters the 2025 season. The departures of key coaches like Gideon, Choice, and Joseph are certainly a loss, but the new hires bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the table. Head coach Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns are now focused on developing their new coaching staff into a unit that can continue the program’s upward trajectory, with eyes firmly set on competing for the Big 12 Championship and beyond in the upcoming season.

With spring practices underway and the 2025 season fast approaching, the Texas Longhorns are primed for a fresh start, both on the field and in the coaching ranks. Fans are eager to see how these coaching changes will impact the team’s performance and whether the Longhorns can take the next step toward returning to national prominence.