Steve Sarkisian and company have made an addition to their staff. Mark Stoops, former Kentucky head coach, has joined the Longhorns staff as a special assistant to Steve Sarkisian. Stoops was let go by Kentucky following back-to-back seasons under .500 and put together a 72-80 record in 13 seasons in Lexington. His roots are on the defensive side of the ball, mainly at the defensive back position.
“Special assistant to the head coach” is a position that was held by Chris Gilbert in 2025 before he left for North Texas this offseason. Stoops joins as a seasoned veteran of SEC football and widely regarded as one of the best defensive game planners in the conference. He could be a fantastic intermediary between Will Muschamp, the “head coach of the defense,” and Steve Sarkisian.
The addition of Stoops makes sense especially when you think about the chances to the defensive coaching staff. Duane Akina and Keynodo Hudson departed from the secondary staff and Blake Gideon stepped in as the “secondary coach”. That means Texas heads into 2026 without a devoted safeties and nickelbacks coach. Stoops can help the man power in that position group specifically throughout this season.
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Mark Stoops brings yet another set of veteran eyes to a team, and specifically a defense, that will need it. It’s hard to know how involved Stoops will be day-to-day but there’s no doubt Texas just added another great football mind to their staff.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Steve Sarkisian reportedly adding Mark Stoops to Texas football staff
