Texas Football: 3 assistant coaches likely to be head coach candidates
Jeff Choate, Co-DC/LB Coach
The first name that comes to mind when you think of the Texas defensive coaching staff is Pete Kwiatkowski. But both Kwiatkowski and Jeff Choate are key to this side of the ball as co-defensive coordinators/linebackers coaches. And both do have some work to do with the defense heading into the second half of the season.
Nonetheless, we realistically have to give the duo of Choate and Kwiatkowski at least one year at the helm before judging the job they’ve done with the defense. Texas needs to get the proper personnel, and just some more talented players, on this defense to maximize what Kwiatkowski is trying to do with his scheme.
Choate is a coach that has plenty of experience on the west coast, though. Similar to Banks, he was mentioned in connection with the Wazzu opening. But it seems like Banks would have a better chance to land that job than Choate.
If the Texas defense finishes out this season on a high note, especially at the linebacker position in particular, that would go a long way to help Choate’s stock rise heading into the offseason.
Choate does have a plethora of coaching experience at the Power Five level. He just was never a head coach at the Power Five level. Past jobs came with the likes of the Washington Huskies, Florida Gators, and even Wazzu. In 2012, Choate was Wazzu’s linebackers coach.
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Choate does have head coaching experience. Prior to landing this job as the co-DC/LB coach under Sark with the Longhorns, Choate was the Montana State Bobcats head coach from 2014-2020.
It feels like the most realistic next step for Choate would be as a Group of Five head coach. If that does pan out for him, a job like the one with Georgia Southern could be a realistic fit.