Texas Football: 5 best candidates to be next defensive coordinator

3. Bob Shoop

Current Position: Mississippi State defensive coordinator

The coaching hires go from the most to least conservative on the defensive coordinator spectrum on this list. the Texas football program could go with a very productive defensive coordinator, currently with the Mississippi State Bulldogs, with Bob Shoop if they so decide to source out the SEC to replace Orlando.

Even facing a very difficult schedule after taking on a defense that lost a lot of talent and experience during the offseason, Shoop’s side of the ball is drawing about two turnovers per game and allowing less than 250 passing yards. Facing offenses like that of LSU and the Alabama Crimson Tide, that is a good feat.

When there was more experienced players on this side of the ball under Shoop’s direction last season in Starkville, they ranked second in the nation in points allowed per game (13.2) and were tops in the nation in defensive efficiency. Those are certainly numbers that Herman should be looking for when choosing his next defensive coordinator.

Prior to taking the defensive play calling duties under former Penn State Nittany Lions offensive coordinator (and Mississippi State head coach) Joe Moorhead, Shoop was all over the place. He was a defensive coordinator with Tennessee, Penn State, Vanderbilt, and the FCS William & Mary Tribe.