By Mark Pszonak
With the move by DB coach Blake Gideon to Georgia Tech to become the Yellow Jackets new defensive coordinator, the Longhorns are in the process of dealing with their first coaching replacement of the off-season. And according to Anwar Richardson of Orangebloods.com they have quickly focused on three candidates:
According to my sources, Notre Dame DBs coach Mike Mickens, Pitt Assistant Head Coach (Secondary/Safeties) Cory Sanders, and Rutgers cornerbacks coach Mark Orphey are the top three candidates to replace former Longhorn safeties coach Blake Gideon. pic.twitter.com/RxogTFXWat
— Anwar Richardson (@AnwarRichardson) February 10, 2025
Mike Mickens, Cory Sanders and Mark Orphey each offer interesting qualities for Texas to consider. Mickens has been with Notre Dame for six years and would be the homerun hire by the Longhorns out of this group. This would also be another blow for the Irish, which have sustained several staff losses during the off-season. Sanders was promoted to assistant head coach at Pitt prior to the 2024 season, while being the safeties coach for eight seasons. As with Mickens, he is also considered a top-level recruiter. Orphey may be more of a surprise name in this group, but the Texas-native and Texas Southern graduate has quickly impressed at Rutgers since making the move from Alabama prior to the 2022 season.
All three are expected to interview for the job this week, so expect a decision in Austin by the end of the weekend.
