**Texas Longhorns’ Secondary Coach Terry Joseph Taking New Job with New Orleans Saints**
In a significant move that has sent ripples through both college football and the NFL, Terry Joseph, the Texas Longhorns’ secondary coach, is set to leave his post in Austin to join the New Orleans Saints as their defensive backs coach. The news of Joseph’s departure marks the end of a notable chapter in Texas Longhorns football and opens a new chapter in his career at the professional level. For Texas, the shift means the team will have to adjust its defensive strategies as they prepare for the 2025 college football season, while the Saints gain a highly regarded coach known for his prowess in developing talented defensive backs.
### Terry Joseph’s Impact at Texas
Terry Joseph arrived at Texas in 2021 as part of Steve Sarkisian’s coaching staff, brought in to improve the Longhorns’ secondary. His arrival was widely seen as a positive move for Texas, given his strong track record as a coach and recruiter. Over his two seasons in Austin, Joseph made a lasting impression on the Texas defense, notably helping develop a secondary that was young but showed promise.
During his tenure, Joseph worked to implement a more aggressive and disciplined defensive scheme that emphasized strong coverage and ball skills. One of his key contributions was the development of the defensive backs, helping to improve their skills in coverage, tackling, and creating turnovers. His ability to connect with his players and emphasize the importance of developing both on-field and mental skills made him a respected figure among his players.
Joseph’s coaching philosophy centered around fostering a high level of accountability and competition within the secondary. This approach helped Texas see improvements in its pass defense during his time, even though the Longhorns experienced mixed results in terms of team performance. He was also known for his tireless work ethic and ability to recruit top-tier talent, particularly in the competitive Texas recruiting landscape. Under his guidance, Texas managed to secure a number of highly coveted recruits, some of whom were expected to make significant contributions to the defense in the upcoming seasons.
### The Move to the NFL
Terry Joseph’s transition from college football to the NFL is a significant leap in his career. The New Orleans Saints, who have a storied defensive tradition and a history of strong play in the secondary, have made a major hire in bringing Joseph aboard. The Saints’ defensive backfield has been one of the team’s strengths in recent years, with players like Marshon Lattimore and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson becoming integral parts of the defense. By hiring Joseph, the Saints are signaling their intent to maintain a strong defensive identity and continue to develop young talent in the secondary.
For Joseph, the opportunity to coach at the NFL level is a well-earned promotion. Over the years, he has built a reputation as one of the brightest defensive minds in college football, and this move reflects his growing stature within the coaching community. The NFL offers a new set of challenges and opportunities, and Joseph will now have the chance to work with elite athletes at the highest level of competition. His expertise in developing young players will be crucial as he works to help the Saints’ defense reach new heights.
In his new role, Joseph will likely focus on refining the Saints’ defensive backs’ skills in coverage, positioning, and reading opposing offenses. The NFL game is faster and more complex than college football, and Joseph will need to adjust his coaching style to account for the differences in talent and the sophistication of NFL offenses. Nevertheless, his success at Texas, both in terms of player development and recruiting, suggests that he has the right attributes to succeed at the professional level.
### The Impact on the Texas Longhorns
Terry Joseph’s departure from Texas leaves a significant hole in the Longhorns’ coaching staff, particularly in a year when the team is hoping to improve its defense and continue to contend in the competitive Big 12 Conference. While Joseph’s impact was primarily felt in the secondary, his departure means that head coach Steve Sarkisian and defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski will have to adjust their defensive strategies to account for the loss of a key member of the coaching staff.
In particular, the loss of Joseph leaves Texas without a coach with his experience and ability to develop young defensive backs. The Longhorns will have to act quickly to find a replacement who can maintain the momentum that Joseph built over the past couple of seasons. The team will need someone who is capable of working with a secondary that, while talented, still has room for growth. Texas will also need someone who can continue to recruit at a high level, as Joseph’s success in bringing in top-tier talent played a key role in the team’s recruiting efforts.
The Longhorns’ secondary will also need to adjust to a new coach and potentially a different coaching philosophy. This change comes at a time when Texas is hoping to make strides on both sides of the ball, and it will be crucial for Sarkisian and his staff to ensure that the transition does not slow down the team’s progress. Given the talent in the secondary, including promising young players who could make a big impact in the upcoming seasons, the next coach will have a critical role in helping to unlock that potential.
### Potential Candidates to Replace Terry Joseph
As news of Joseph’s departure spreads, speculation is already underway regarding potential candidates to replace him as Texas’ secondary coach. The position is one of the most important on the staff, as the secondary is often a key component in a team’s overall defensive success. Several names have been floated as potential candidates, including both current members of the Texas coaching staff and outside hires with experience in college or professional football.
One possible internal candidate is Blake Gideon, a former Texas player who has been with the team as a defensive analyst. Gideon has a deep understanding of the program and its defensive philosophy, and his playing experience in the secondary could make him a natural fit to take over the position. Additionally, Gideon has experience coaching defensive backs at other programs, which could help him transition into the role smoothly.
Another potential candidate is Chris Ash, the team’s defensive coordinator, who has worked with defensive backs in the past. While Ash’s primary responsibility is overseeing the entire defense, his familiarity with the secondary could make him a candidate to take on a more hands-on role with the defensive backs, at least in the interim. However, given his duties as defensive coordinator, it’s unclear whether Ash would take on additional responsibilities.
Of course, the Longhorns may also look outside the program for a candidate with a fresh perspective and new ideas. Texas has a vast network of connections in the college football world, and there are several prominent defensive backs coaches in the game who could be interested in the position. Regardless of who takes over, the new coach will need to quickly establish rapport with the players, implement his defensive strategies, and recruit high-level talent to continue the program’s success.
### What’s Next for Terry Joseph and the New Orleans Saints?
As Terry Joseph moves on to his new role with the New Orleans Saints, the opportunity to work in the NFL represents the next step in what has been a successful coaching career. Joseph will join a Saints team that has long been a contender in the NFC, and his expertise in coaching defensive backs will be crucial as the team aims to continue competing at a high level.
For the Texas Longhorns, Joseph’s departure represents both a challenge and an opportunity. The program must now look to fill a crucial coaching position and ensure the continued development of its secondary. The coaching search is likely to be one of the key storylines in Austin as the Longhorns prepare for the 2025 season, but with a strong coaching staff already in place, Texas has the potential to overcome this setback and continue to build toward success.
Ultimately, Terry Joseph’s departure is a sign of his rising stock in the coaching world. His move to the NFL will provide him with a new set of challenges and opportunities, but given his track record of success, it’s clear that the Saints have made a strong addition to their coaching staff. For Texas, it’s a chance to find the right person to continue building the program’s defensive future. The coaching carousel continues to spin, and both Joseph and the Longhorns are sure to face new challenges in the coming months.
