Darlington Career Day will feature a keynote address by alumnus Will Muschamp (’90), defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for the University of Texas, on Feb. 19 at 8:30 a.m. in Morris Chapel. This event is open to Darlington students and faculty only. Limited seating will be available for Darlington parents.
“We are thrilled that Will is returning to campus for Career Day,” said Vicki Vincent, director of alumni relations. “It will be a wonderful opportunity for our students to hear from an inspiring alumnus. Will’s story of overcoming adversity to follow his passion is one we think our students won’t soon forget. He has accomplished a great deal in his relatively short career in an industry that is highly competitive and visible.”
A native of Rome, Muschamp graduated from Darlington in 1990. While here, he was a standout athlete, lettering in football (four years), basketball (three years), track (four years) and baseball (four years. He was also a student proctor for three years and president of the D Club. His senior year, Muschamp received the American Legion Award for courage, honor, leadership, patriotism scholarship and service, as well as the Joe Mull Memorial Trophy for most versatile athlete in the school. He also earned numerous athletic awards, including Football MVP – Best Offensive Back, the Basketball Hustler Award, the Track Leadership and Spirit Award, and the Baseball Batting Average Trophy.
Now, Muschamp is nationally known as a 14-year coaching veteran who has coordinated successful defenses at both the collegiate and NFL levels. This fall, he was named head coach designate to succeed Mack Brown, and most recently, he helped lead Texas to the BCS National Championship game against Alabama.
Muschamp is considered one of the nation’s premier defensive coordinators and was a 2007 Broyles Award Finalist, an honor bestowed on the nation’s top assistant coach. He joined the Texas staff after spending two years as defensive coordinator at Auburn and six years prior to that as a defensive coordinator in college and the NFL. Prior to his work with the Miami Dolphins, Muschamp coached linebackers and served as defensive coordinator at LSU. During his tenure, LSU won the 2003 National Championship and two SEC titles.
Muschamp began his coaching career as a graduate assistant coach at Auburn, where he earned his master’s. Prior to that, he coached the secondary at West Georgia and Eastern Kentucky before earning his first defensive coordinator position at Valdosta State. The 1994 University of Georgia graduate was a four-year letterman at safety. He was selected as a defensive co-captain as a senior and was a part of two bowl teams. He also earned a spot on the SEC Academic Honor Roll in 1993.
Career Day sessions focusing on various professions from entertainment to psychology will be led by 19 other alumni including Elizabeth (Smith) Avery (’66T), Grady Boggs (’88), Maurie Dugger (’94), Christine (Todino) Earp (’83), Justin Farmer (’87), Lindsey (Mann) Field (’99), Mary Kate (Vick) Fuller (’84), Julia (Ward) Hamilton (’84), Jordan Knight (’98), Kimbrough McConkey (’73), Kelly Moore (’95), Bryan Mullins (’95), Natalie (Berry) Murphy (’94), Mary Katherine (Husser) Simmons (’96), John Thompson (’95), Dr. James Vick (’75), Andrew Walker (’96) and Dr. Tara Lyn Williams (’91). Kathleen (Smith) Hughes (’84) will also present a special program to freshmen and sophomores.
“We are so appreciative of all of our alumni who are returning to Darlington for Career Day to give our students a firsthand glimpse into their respective careers,” Vincent said. “This is something our students are really looking forward to, and I know that our alumni will not disappoint them!”
Career Day is sponsored biannually by Darlington School’s Alumni Council.
