Longhorns reportedly steal an up-and-coming defensive assistant coach from the Buckeyes
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian is strengthening his coaching staff by hiring Ohio State defensive graduate assistant coach LaAllen Clark, according to multiple reports. Clark worked with the defensive ends the last two seasons with the Buckeyes and will continue doing that with the Longhorns, Horns247 reported. At Ohio State, Clark worked under defensive line coach […]
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian is strengthening his coaching staff by hiring Ohio State defensive graduate assistant coach LaAllen Clark, according to multiple reports.
Clark worked with the defensive ends the last two seasons with the Buckeyes and will continue doing that with the Longhorns, Horns247 reported.
At Ohio State, Clark worked under defensive line coach Larry Johnson. Clark will have more autonomy at Texas, but all defensive coaches work under defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski.
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Recent NCAA rule changes allow for more on-field coaches to come from support staff roles, thereby paving the way for specialized coaches across the board. UT posted a job opening for a new coach in January, and this hire bolsters the staff.
Clark played defensive end at Grambling State and Northwestern State during his playing days. The Baton Rouge, La., native started coaching at Prairie View A&M in 2019.
Clark has extensive experience working with NFL players as the CEO of LC Performance. Clark trained players like Ed Oliver, Jeffrey Simmons and Danielle Hunter, according to Horns247.
With the Horns, Clark will have multiple talented players under his tutelage. The coaching staff will see Ethan Burke and Trey Moore return next season, and Colin Simmons is coming off a sensational freshman season.
Incoming freshman Lance Jackson was the nation’s No. 38-ranked recruit and Smith Orogbo was ranked 153rd in the 2025 cycle.
Texas appears to already have the upper hand on Ohio State in coaching as the two teams head toward the 2025 season opener in Columbus.
The Buckeyes have now lost offensive coordinator and play-caller Chip Kelly to the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders while defensive coordinator Jim Knowles left for Penn State.
The Longhorns have maintained incredible coaching staff stability. The only major name who has flirted with another job was running backs coach Tashard Choice, who interviewed with the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys. Choice is staying with Texas and expected to get a raise from his current $700,000 salary.
