AUSTIN — The Texas Longhorns have hired former Michigan State defensive coordinator, Scottie Hazelton, to a special assistant role on head coach Steve Sarkisian’s staff. Hazelton, who had been the Spartans’ defensive coordinator since 2020, will join Pete Kwiatowksi’s defensive staff according to Bruce Feldman of The Athletic.

SOURCES: Texas is hiring Scottie Hazelton as a special assistant. Hazelton joins the Longhorns after recently serving as Michigan State’s DC along with previous DC stops at K-State, Wyoming and NDSU where they won the 2011 FCS national title.

— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) June 27, 2024

At Michigan State

Hazelton was hired, at the time, by former Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker. In his time in East Lansing, Hazelton coached multiple NFL draft picks as well as led Michigan State to a Peach Bowl victory in 2021. His defense was a big reason as to why the Spartans capped off their 10-2 season with a Peach Bowl victory. 

Prior to Michigan State

Before his time in East Lansing, Hazelton had been the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at both Kansas State and Wyoming. He had relatively short stints in both Laramie and Manhattan, spending one year with K-State and two with Wyoming. He even dipped his toes into the NFL as he spent three seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars as the assistant linebacker coach.

Hazelton brings a ton of experience to the Texas defensive rooms. He has over 30 years of defensive coaching experience at the collegiate and professional levels and will be looking to help improve upon Texas’ defense as the Horns enter the SEC. 

The Longhorns are expected to have a strong defensive front seven with the likes of Trey Moore, Anthony Hill Jr., Alfred Collins, and Bill Norton. The secondary is looking much improved as well with the additions of Andrew Mukuba from Clemson and Jay’Vion Cole from San Jose State. 

Hazelton’s hiring can only help defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski’s defense as the more coaches on staff with New Year’s Six Bowl experiences, the more prepared the defense will be trying to get back to the mountaintop.

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