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Jeff Choate, Texas co-DC, reportedly ‘top target’ for vacant head coaching role
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Jeff Choate has served as Texas’s co-defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach for the past 3 seasons. Now, with the Longhorns in the College Football Playoff for the 1st time, he could be in line for a head coaching role with a Mountain West program.
According to The Athletic and FOX Sports’ college football insider Bruce Feldman, Choate is Nevada’s “top target” for their open head coaching position. He would replace Ken Wilson, who was fired after 2 seasons and a 4-20 record.
It wouldn’t be Choate’s first go at a head coaching position. As Feldman notes, before joining Steve Sarkisian’s staff in Austin, Choate was the head coach at Montana State, a 5-6 team before he arrived in 2016. After records of 4-7 in 2016 and 5-6 in 2017, the Bobcats improved to 8-5, advancing to the 2nd round of the FCS playoffs. In 2019, they were 11-4 and an FCS semifinalist.
Choate has been instrumental in the development of Jaylan Ford, one of the top linebackers in the country. Ford, a 1st-team All-Big 12 selection in back-to-back seasons, has 91 tackles and 10.5 TFLs in 2023 along with 2 interceptions.
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
