Texas Longhorns Steve Sarkisian Praises New DL Coach Kenny Baker

The Texas Longhorns lost one of the key recruiters and coaches in Bo Davis this past offseason.

Texas head football coach Steve Sarkisian tries to quite the crowd as the boo the Big 12 Big 12 / Sarah Phipps/Oklahoman / USA TODAY

Despite being a staple of the program with his old oversized hoodie, Texas defensive line coach Bo Davis is no longer with the program.

This past offseason he took the same job at LSU, leading to the Longhorns turning to former Miami Dolphins assistant defensive line coach, Kenny Baker, who was a part of a staff that helped lead Miami to an 11-6 record this past year and a spot in the wildcard.

He will be tasked with coaching up a unit that lost both Byron Murphy II and T'Vondre Sweat to the NFL Draft after they formed what was one of the most dominant run-stopping fronts in all of college football.

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian praised Baker when speaking to the media on Tuesday, saying that the players have really seemed to take a liking to him.

Texas head football coach Steve Sarkisian tries to quite the crowd as the boo the Big 12 Big 12 / Sarah Phipps/Oklahoman / USA TODAY

"I think they're responding really well to him," Steve Sarkisian said Tuesday. "One thing Kenny provides is a ton of energy, a ton of juice."

He also touched on the fact that he can offer advice and coaching to every position across the line, helping both the interior lineman and pass rushers.

"He's a really good technician and not just (with) the interior defensive linemen, he's got a lot of pass rush to his repertoire," Sarkisian said. "I think it's his energy, what he brings, and trying to develop every player in that room. It's easy just to coach the guys who've been here three and four years, right? We've got to coach them all. We're trying to develop all of our players. I think Kenny has really bought into that. I think all the guys in that room understand that and are working to get better."

The Longhorns are expected to turn to Arizona transfer Tiaoalii Savea, Alfred Collins, and Vernon Broughton among others to fill the void left by Sweat and Murphy. It is a position battle that many are dialed into, and is also a group that worries many fans and analysts alike due to the lack of experience.