Jeff Choate, the linebackers coach for the Texas Longhorns, was just appointed head coach of the Nevada Wolfpack. With the Longhorns, he will conclude the season as they get ready for the College Football Playoffs. However, it is said that the Longhorns have already begun the hiring process for Choate’s replacement.
The Longhorns are apparently targeting Johnny Nansen, the defensive coordinator for the Arizona Wildcats, to be their next linebackers coach, according to Inside Texas reporting. While Sark was the head coach at Washington, Nansen served as an assistant to Texas coach Steve Sarkisian. The two later became coworkers at USC in 2014.
Arizona had a remarkable season of improvement, with Nansen at its core. In the Alamo Bowl on Thursday night, the Wildcats defeated No. 12 Oklahoma 38-24 to cap out the 2023 campaign. His defense forced six turnovers. Midway through the third quarter, Arizona was behind 24–13, but they rallied for 25 consecutive points to win. At the conclusion of the third quarter, Nansen’s defense recovered an 87-yard fumble and ran it into the house.
Sarkisian said that he’s “fired up” for Choate despite his obvious disappointment at his loss. “First of all, I’m really excited about Coach Choate,” Sarkisian said to the press. When he came here, he made a small leap of faith. At Montana State, he serves as the head coach. That program had been created by him. They were vying for a championship, therefore they were competitive. It was a bit of a leap of faith to come here as a linebacker/co-defensive coordinator in search of something that might be even better in return. putting down the amount of money he did.”
