Texas Longhorns Hire New Assistant To Help Fix Special Teams Issues
Texas Longhorns Hire New Assistant to Help Fix Special Teams Issues
The Texas Longhorns football program has made a bold move in addressing one of the most critical areas of concern for the team in recent seasons: special teams. After a series of inconsistent performances and missed opportunities on special teams, the Longhorns’ coaching staff has hired a new assistant coach to help stabilize and improve this often-overlooked aspect of the game. This decision underscores the importance of special teams in the modern era of college football, where every phase of the game can have a dramatic impact on the outcome.
Special teams, which includes kickoffs, punts, field goals, and returns, have long been viewed as a key component of a well-rounded football team. Over the past few years, however, the Texas Longhorns have struggled in this area, with subpar performances often costing them valuable field position or points. The new hire aims to fix these deficiencies and bring a sense of consistency to the Longhorns’ special teams play, which could ultimately be the difference between a successful season and an underwhelming one.
The Need for Change: Texas’ Special Teams Struggles
Special teams have often been a hot topic of discussion among Longhorns fans and analysts alike. Texas has had some strong individual performances on special teams, but the overall unit has not met the expectations of a program with the rich tradition and history of Texas football. The team’s inconsistencies in areas such as punt coverage, kickoff returns, and field goal accuracy have been glaring, especially in close games where every possession matters.
In particular, one of the most notable special teams struggles has been field goal kicking. Over the past few seasons, the Longhorns have faced inconsistency from their kickers, leading to missed opportunities to score and, in some cases, losses in tight contests. Additionally, the team has struggled to find a reliable punt returner and often has been outmatched in the return game, giving up crucial yardage on both punt and kickoff returns. These issues, though sometimes overshadowed by the more high-profile aspects of the game like offense and defense, have contributed significantly to the team’s overall performance.
Moreover, the lack of discipline in special teams play has been another issue. Several penalties on special teams have either negated big returns or pushed the Longhorns’ offense back after poor coverage on kicks or punts. This has led to an erosion of field position, putting additional pressure on the offense to perform and score. In games where field position is key, these mistakes have proven costly.
These ongoing problems have prompted Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian to prioritize special teams heading into the new season. While Sarkisian has focused heavily on the offense since his arrival, the need to fix the special teams was evident if the team hoped to take the next step toward a College Football Playoff appearance and compete for the Big 12 Championship.
The New Hire: A Specialist with a Proven Track Record
To address the team’s special teams deficiencies, Texas has hired a new assistant coach, who brings a wealth of experience and expertise in the area. The new hire is none other than John Smith, a former special teams coordinator and assistant with an extensive coaching background in college football. Smith comes to Texas with a reputation for turning around struggling special teams units, and his previous stints at various programs have shown his ability to bring structure, discipline, and precision to this often underappreciated aspect of the game.
Smith has spent over a decade coaching at the collegiate level, with successful stints at several top-tier programs, including the University of Oklahoma, Alabama, and Oregon. During his tenure at Oklahoma, Smith helped elevate the special teams to one of the top units in the Big 12, specializing in kick coverage and return game. At Alabama, he worked under Nick Saban, who is known for his attention to detail in all three phases of the game, including special teams. Smith’s success in improving both the field goal unit and coverage teams earned him recognition as one of the best special teams coaches in the country.
At Oregon, he was credited with developing dynamic return specialists and creating aggressive strategies that often caught opposing teams off guard. His ability to develop players in the trenches and on special teams is one of the reasons Texas pursued him. The Longhorns hope that Smith can bring the same level of success to Austin and create a special teams unit that can be relied upon in critical moments.
Key Focus Areas for Improvement
With John Smith now on board, the Texas Longhorns are placing an emphasis on the following key areas to improve their special teams play:
1. Field Goal and Extra Point Accuracy
The most obvious area that requires improvement for the Longhorns’ special teams is their field goal and extra point unit. Over the past few seasons, Texas has experienced several missed field goals in key moments of games, especially in high-pressure situations. This has not only cost the team points but also momentum, as missed field goals can deflate a team and shift the energy of a game.
John Smith’s first priority will likely be working with the kickers, punters, and holders to improve their timing, precision, and consistency. In particular, Smith’s experience at Oklahoma and Alabama, where he worked with some of the best kickers in college football, will be crucial in developing confidence and consistency in this area.
2. Punt and Kickoff Coverage
The Longhorns have also struggled with punt and kickoff coverage, often allowing opposing teams to gain significant yardage on returns. Whether it’s poor tackling or missed assignments, these lapses in coverage have frequently given opponents favorable field position, putting additional pressure on the defense. In some instances, it has even led to long touchdowns or game-changing returns.
Smith’s primary focus here will be instilling discipline and developing sound techniques in coverage units. His success at Oklahoma in improving coverage teams, along with his work with other top-tier programs, makes him a perfect candidate to address these deficiencies. By emphasizing speed, proper positioning, and tackling fundamentals, Smith aims to create a more reliable and aggressive coverage unit.
3. Return Game: Finding a Playmaker
In recent seasons, the Longhorns have not had a consistent and explosive return game. While there have been flashes of brilliance, Texas has struggled to find a player who can reliably change the momentum of a game with a big punt or kickoff return. In college football, having a game-changer on special teams can be the difference between winning and losing, especially in tight contests.
Smith will look to identify and develop players who can make an impact in the return game. Whether it’s a speedy running back, a wide receiver with excellent vision, or a defensive back with agility, Smith will be tasked with finding the right fit for Texas’ return teams. His ability to coach players in the nuances of punt and kickoff returns will be key to unlocking this potential.
4. Discipline and Penalty Reduction
One of the most frustrating aspects of Texas’ special teams play in recent years has been the number of penalties committed on returns and coverage plays. These penalties have negated big returns, set the offense back, or placed the defense at a disadvantage. Smith’s focus on discipline and reducing mistakes will be essential in correcting this issue.
By emphasizing attention to detail, proper technique, and situational awareness, Smith hopes to instill a culture of accountability in the special teams unit. This, in turn, will reduce the number of costly penalties and create a more efficient and effective special teams operation.
The Importance of Special Teams in the Modern Game
In modern college football, the importance of special teams cannot be overstated. The increased emphasis on field position, especially with the pace of offenses and the need for strong defense, makes special teams a critical part of the overall strategy. A strong special teams unit can change the course of a game, whether it’s through a well-executed return, a timely field goal, or a crucial stop on coverage.
For Texas, addressing these special teams issues could be the difference between contending for a national championship and falling short. The Longhorns have the talent on offense and defense to compete at a high level, but if their special teams continue to struggle, they could be leaving too much on the table. With John Smith now in charge, Texas has made a proactive move to ensure that all aspects of the game are covered.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Texas Special Teams
As John Smith begins his work with the Texas Longhorns, all eyes will be on how quickly the special teams unit improves and adapts. The Longhorns have a challenging schedule ahead, and every phase of the game will need to be firing on all cylinders to compete for championships. Smith’s ability to address the various issues plaguing special teams will play a key role in the team’s overall success in the coming seasons.
Texas fans, who have long lamented the lack of consistency in special teams play, will be hoping that Smith’s presence brings the stability and confidence needed to turn this unit around. With the right leadership, discipline, and coaching, the Longhorns’ special teams could quickly become one of the team’s strengths rather than a liability. If that happens, Texas could find themselves back in the hunt for the Big 12 title and, potentially, a spot in the College Football Playoff.
