Ex-Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst expected to join Texas staff as offensive analyst: Source

Publish date: 2024-05-11

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian is expected to hire former Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst as an offensive analyst/special assistant to the head coach, an athletic department official confirmed to The Athletic on Sunday. Here’s what you need to know:

What does Chryst bring to the Longhorns?

Wisconsin’s offense stalled over the final three seasons of Chryst’s tenure, two of which came with him in charge of calling the plays. But Chryst still has a wealth of football knowledge and a history of success at the college level.

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Chryst was Wisconsin’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2006-11 and helped the program set single-season scoring records in 2010 and 2011 that still stand. The 2011 team, led by quarterback Russell Wilson, averaged 44.1 points per game, while the 2010 team averaged 41.5 points per game. No other Badgers team has averaged more than 35 points per game in a season. Chryst’s Wisconsin teams were 52-16 with three Big Ten West titles in his first five seasons as head coach from 2015-19 before a 15-10 finish over the next two-plus seasons.

Texas appears to be a good landing spot for Chryst because some of his most significant flaws that led to his firing last season had to do with issues he won’t encounter as an offensive analyst, including recruiting, NIL or personnel/staff decisions. He’ll presumably be able to focus exclusively on offensive schemes, which should benefit the Longhorns. — Temple

Why is Sarkisian making this move?

Last season, Sarkisian brought in former TCU coach Gary Patterson to the staff as a special assistant. The idea was to bring in someone who had “another set of eyes” to look at the program from a big-picture perspective, to be a sounding board for Sarkisian and to offer scouting and schematic expertise, which Patterson was long on.

Throughout the year, Sarkisian noted that Patterson was a valuable voice to have on the staff. After the season, Patterson stepped away from the role, citing a desire for more time with his family.

Alabama coach Nick Saban, who Sarkisian worked for in 2016, 2019 and 2020, made a habit of bringing in former head coaches or other experienced coaches to bring added perspective and expertise to the program. That’s what Sarkisian is doing here by adding Chryst. Even though Wisconsin felt it was time to make a change, Chryst had success there and Sarkisian wants to tap into the coach’s knowledge to help the Longhorns, who are readying for a pivotal season in which they’re hoping to make a run at a Big 12 championship.

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DeCamilllis is the second former NFL assistant that Sarkisian has brought on board this season. Texas hired former Jacksonville Jaguars receivers coach Chris Jackson to coach the same position with the Longhorns. Saadat will add an experienced voice to the defensive staff room. He has made stops at Cal Poly, Army and Central Washington and has been in college coaching since 1996.  — Khan

Backstory

Chryst has been coaching since 1989 across Division I, Division I-AA, Division III, the WLAF, the CFL and the NFL. He has served as an offensive coordinator at Wisconsin-Platteville, Illinois State, Oregon State and Wisconsin, as well as for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

DeCamillis has worked for nine NFL teams since 1991, including most recently serving as special teams coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams.

Saadat spent the last five seasons as Portland State’s defensive coordinator and was assistant head coach for the last four.

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(Photo: Jeff Hanisch / USA Today)

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