The Texas Longhorns officially announce their 2025 coaching hiring and promotions.
The Texas Longhorns are one of the most storied programs in college athletics, with rich traditions across multiple sports, especially in football and basketball. As one of the most high-profile schools in the NCAA, Texas continually makes headlines not only for its athletic success but also for its strategic moves to stay competitive in the modern era. This includes their latest round of coaching hires and promotions for the 2025 season, an important step in shaping the future of Texas athletics.
With an emphasis on excellence, Texas athletics has a history of attracting some of the best minds in the coaching profession. Whether it’s in football, basketball, or other sports, the hiring decisions at Texas always seem to carry significant weight across the NCAA. In 2025, the university has officially announced a series of high-profile coaching moves that will influence the future direction of Texas athletics. These decisions have been met with excitement, speculation, and anticipation about what lies ahead for one of the most powerful collegiate programs in the country.
Football: Embracing Stability and Ambition
The Texas Longhorns football program is perhaps the most closely watched of all the athletic teams. After years of transition and uncertainty, the Longhorns are looking to establish a new era under the leadership of head coach Steve Sarkisian. Sarkisian, who has been with the Longhorns since 2021, has continued to build the program back up to national relevance after a period of stagnation. However, in the 2025 coaching changes, there has been a renewed emphasis on bolstering his coaching staff and shoring up key positions.
Promotions in Coaching Staff:
Texas has made several key moves in the football coaching department to further support Coach Sarkisian’s vision. With the 2024 season having ended on a high note, including a strong bowl performance and a competitive finish in the Big 12, the Longhorns have decided to promote some of Sarkisian’s assistants to new roles, signaling a commitment to both stability and improvement.
1. Offensive Coordinator – Kyle Flood:
Kyle Flood, the current offensive line coach and former offensive coordinator, has been promoted to Offensive Coordinator for the Longhorns. Flood’s promotion comes after significant success in improving Texas’ offensive line, which has been one of the best in the Big 12 in terms of protection and run blocking. His understanding of offensive schemes and his ability to work with Sarkisian’s innovative play-calling has made him an indispensable member of the team. Flood’s promotion is a clear sign of Texas’ desire to build on their offensive capabilities moving forward, especially with a growing pool of talented quarterbacks and skill position players.
2. Defensive Coordinator – Pete Kwiatkowski:
On the defensive side, Pete Kwiatkowski has been retained as the defensive coordinator after a successful 2024 campaign. Known for his experience with both traditional and modern defensive schemes, Kwiatkowski has helped transform Texas’ defense into one of the toughest units in the Big 12. His emphasis on high-pressure defense and his ability to coach up defensive backs and linebackers has paid dividends. The 2025 coaching shakeup solidifies Kwiatkowski’s position as one of the key figures in the team’s push for a college football playoff berth.
3. Special Teams Coordinator – Jeff Banks:
One of the more notable promotions for the 2025 season involves Jeff Banks, who was elevated to Special Teams Coordinator after serving in an advisory role in 2024. Known for his creative approach to special teams, Banks will now have more autonomy to fine-tune this important aspect of the game. The Longhorns have often used special teams as a way to gain an edge, and with Banks at the helm, Texas aims to capitalize on every opportunity available, from kick returns to field goals.
4. Quarterback Coach – A Coaching Talent Pool:
Another major change involves the promotion of Quinn Ewers’ Quarterback Coach, Chris Simms. The former Longhorns star, who has transitioned into coaching after his playing career, will now take on an expanded role, working directly with the quarterbacks to refine their skills and help Texas become more consistent at the position. With Ewers emerging as a top quarterback prospect, Simms’ role will be pivotal in getting the most out of him.
Conclusion:
These hires and promotions reflect Texas’ commitment to establishing continuity and improving across all phases of the game. The adjustments made in the football program indicate that Coach Sarkisian is determined to create a well-rounded team with a foundation built on stability, continuity, and the development of homegrown talent.
Basketball: Turning the Tide in Men’s and Women’s Hoops
The Texas Longhorns men’s and women’s basketball programs have been consistently strong but have yet to secure a national championship in recent years. As the 2025 coaching hires and promotions unfold, both programs are making adjustments to push for that elusive championship.
1. Men’s Basketball – Rodney Terry’s First Full Season
Rodney Terry, who took over as interim head coach of the Texas men’s basketball team in 2024 following Chris Beard’s suspension, has been officially named Head Coach heading into the 2025 season. Terry’s calm demeanor, sharp basketball mind, and ability to navigate difficult situations have made him an ideal leader for the Longhorns. His hire comes after Texas had a strong finish in the 2024 NCAA Tournament, with Terry leading the team to a Sweet 16 appearance.
The Texas men’s basketball program, under Terry’s leadership, will focus on maintaining a tough defense and continuing to recruit high-level talent. Terry has been instrumental in developing players, and he has an extensive background as an assistant coach for some of the top programs in the nation. His tenure at Texas promises to continue to elevate the program, with a focus on player development, discipline, and consistency.
2. Women’s Basketball – Vic Schaefer’s National Championship Aspirations
For the Texas women’s basketball team, Vic Schaefer continues to be the cornerstone of the program. The 2025 season marks another year of potential greatness under Schaefer, who has developed one of the most respected teams in the nation. Schaefer’s commitment to recruiting top-tier talent and developing a national powerhouse has already resulted in multiple deep tournament runs, with Texas making appearances in the Final Four under his leadership.
In addition to the standard player and staff promotions that often occur in women’s sports programs, Schaefer’s continued success means that Texas’ commitment to maintaining one of the best women’s basketball programs in the country is secure. Schaefer’s leadership will remain pivotal as the team seeks to capture its first national championship under his watch in the 2025-2026 season.
Baseball: Looking to Repeat Past Successes
The Texas Longhorns baseball team has been one of the premier programs in NCAA baseball for decades. With David Pierce continuing as head coach, the 2025 coaching staff is mostly intact, but new hires and promotions reflect the need to continue the program’s excellence and look for ways to stay ahead in an increasingly competitive landscape. With Texas consistently being a College World Series contender, Pierce’s leadership will be vital as they aim for another national championship.
Track and Field and Other Sports: Strengthening the Foundation
In addition to the marquee sports, Texas athletics has also seen key hires and promotions in other sports, including track and field, swimming, and soccer. With high expectations for every athletic program, the Longhorns have worked to ensure that they are competitive across all sports. The 2025 coaching moves in these programs demonstrate Texas’ desire to remain a force in collegiate athletics, across both men’s and women’s sports.
The Strategic Vision for 2025 and Beyond
The coaching hires and promotions in Texas athletics signal an important moment in the university’s commitment to success. In many ways, these hires are the final pieces in a broader strategic vision, one that aims to elevate the university’s athletic programs to the highest levels of national competition. The Texas Longhorns’ 2025 coaching staff moves show an emphasis on:
- Stability and Continuity: Retaining and promoting key members of the staff ensures that the athletic programs have the leadership and continuity needed for long-term success.
- Development of Talent: The emphasis on player development, especially in basketball and football, reflects the importance of building a foundation for future success, especially in a competitive landscape.
- Strategic Growth: With a new era of leadership, Texas athletics is strategically growing to compete for championships across all major sports. The Longhorns’ focus on both current talent and future development is evident in their strategic hiring decisions.
- Adaptation to Modern Trends: Texas understands that success in today’s collegiate sports world requires adaptation. From an emphasis on analytics in baseball to innovative strategies in basketball and football, Texas is positioning itself to remain at the forefront of college athletics.
