Texas defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski is hoping to lead a better defense after a frustrating first year campaign.
Kwiatkowski enjoyed great success as a player and coach at Boise State, followed by a terrific run as defensive coordinator for the Washington Huskies. For whatever reason, he couldn’t put it all together at Texas last season.
His defensive unit finished 100th in the NCAA in total defense. Only Kansas (126) and TCU (119) were worse in the Big 12 by the numbers. The Longhorns defense allowed 425.6 yards per game and 6.03 yards per play.
Texas failed to reel in an impact edge rusher from the portal this offseason and will need to look internally for pass rushing solutions.
Here are four ways that Texas can improve from its defensive performance last season.
Know Your Personnel
Mandatory Credit: Ricardo B. Brazziell /American-Statesman-USA TODAY Sports
Texas defensive coordinators have a penchant for not knowing where to put players on the field in their first season. Todd Orlando famously moved Malcolm Roach and Breckyn Hager to linebacker over his first two seasons.
Pete Kwiatkowski kept the tradition going, assigning two of his best players, Anthony Cook and Alfred Collins, to limited situational roles. Improved knowledge of his personnel will hopefully yield bigger roles for Collins, Cook, and Byron Murphy this season.
No Fly Zone
Gary Patterson can coach a secondary. The 2019 matchup between Texas and TCU comes to mind, where Patterson’s defense held Sam Ehlinger to this stat line: 22 completions and four interceptions on 48 attempts. Patterson’s safety net of coverage simply left nowhere for Ehlinger to throw.
Texas could stand to utilize his coverage acumen to stop opposing passing attacks. Texas added Ohio State cornerback Ryan Watts to the fold. Additionally, the move of Kitan Crawford to safety could make life difficult for opposing…
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