Texas Longhorns Eyeing Key Candidates for Defensive Assistant Role
The Texas Longhorns are on the hunt for a new defensive assistant coach, and head coach Steve Sarkisian is wasting no time. According to Horns247, Texas has already interviewed Ohio State assistant LaAllen Clark for the role, which will focus on coaching the defensive ends under co-DCs Pete Kwiatkowski and Johnny Nansen.
With the 2025 season approaching, Texas has several intriguing options for the position. Here’s a look at three potential candidates:
LaAllen Clark (Ohio State Defensive Ends Coach)
Texas has already shown strong interest in LaAllen Clark, who spent the last two seasons with Ohio State. Clark joined the Buckeyes as a graduate assistant in 2023 and was promoted to assistant defensive line coach in 2024.
Before his time in Columbus, Clark coached defensive ends at Southern University (FCS) in 2022, helping the team finish in the top five in the SWAC for scoring and rushing defense. His coaching career began in 2019 as a graduate assistant at Prairie View A&M.
Carson Hall (Baylor Linebackers Coach)
At just 30 years old, Carson Hall has already established himself as one of the top rising defensive coaches in college football. A former Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman, Hall is currently the linebackers coach at Baylor under head coach Dave Aranda.
Hall was set to be the defensive line coach and run game coordinator at Western Kentucky before Baylor hired him this offseason. Previously, he played a key role in developing Western Kentucky’s defensive front, which finished fourth in scoring defense in Conference USA.
Hall also has SEC experience, serving as assistant defensive line coach for Georgia’s back-to-back national championship teams (2021-2022).
Tremayne Scott (Ohio Defensive Line Coach & Run Game Coordinator)
Former Ohio Bobcats standout Tremayne Scott has been coaching at his alma mater since 2018, helping the program achieve back-to-back 10-win seasons for the first time in school history.
Under Scott, Ohio’s defense ranked No. 1 in the MAC in scoring and rushing defense for the past two seasons, becoming the only team in the conference to allow fewer than 100 rushing yards per game in 2023 and 2024.
Scott has also developed multiple All-MAC defensive linemen, making him a strong candidate for the Longhorns’ defensive staff.
What’s Next for Texas?
With Clark already interviewed, Texas could soon make a decision on their next defensive assistant. Whether it’s Clark, Hall, or Scott, Sarkisian is focused on building a dominant defensive front as the Longhorns prepare for another high-stakes season in the SEC.
