Tim Daoust was reportedly in the running for the Sam Houston head coaching job, but it appears that the job is being filled by a long-time assistant coach.
According to Mike Craven of Dan Campbell’s Texas Football, former Ole Miss, North Carolina and Wisconsin offensive coordinator Phil Longo is expected to be named the new Sam Houston head coach.
Daoust was one of the six finalists for the job, DCTF had previously reported.
Daoust, who was hired as the Pitt defensive line coach from East Carolina last offseason, previously served as the Sam Houston assistant head coach and defensive line coach from 2019-20.
Pitt didn’t have the greatest season defensively, coming off the departure of long-time defensive line coach Charlie Partridge to the NFL, but Daoust did a good job of righting the ship this season.
And the Panthers were fourth in tackles for loss per game (8.2 per game, 99 total) and tied for third in total sacks (40 total, 3.33 per game) in college football this season. It wasn’t the strongest defensive line unit, but the future is bright. And Daoust, by all accounts, has handled the transition from Partridge to himself well.
“He’s a great coach, man,” Sincere Edwards said during the offseason. “I truly respect him. I love his beliefs, he’s big on fundamentals, and that’s the biggest thing he’s been preaching since he got here.”
Pitt is in the midst of preparing for the GameAbove Sports Bowl, and that prep now includes Daoust locked in for his second season with the Panthers. There are a lot of reasons for optimism, and Daoust himself is already busy in the transfer portal.
Pitt is set to return Sean FitzSimmons, Nick James, Isaiah Neal, Jahsear Whittington and Francis Brewu on the interior and Jimmy Scott, Sincere Edwards and Chief Borders on the ends. And there will be some additions.
Daoust has already extended offers and set up portal visits, some of which are set to take place this week.
