Updates on Tom Herman assembling his first staff at Texas

With the introductory press conference for new Texas Longhorns head coach Tom Herman still looming on Sunday afternoon, several assistant coaches are already reportedly in place.

On Saturday evening, news broke from ESPN that Houston Cougars offensive line coach Derek Warehime was set to join Herman in Austin.

On Sunday morning, tight ends coach Corby Meekins and defensive line coach Oscar Giles were both with Herman when he landed in Austin.

The latest apparent additions, according to ESPN and confirmed by the Houston Chronicle, are special teams/cornerbacks coach Jason Washington and recruiting director Derek Chang.

A San Antonio native and Texas State alum, Washington coached with Herman at his alma mater and then Rice before returning to San Marcos.

At Houston, Washington was responsible for helping William Jackson III develop into one of the nation’s top cornerbacks — in 2015, Jackson III broke up 23 passes to lead the nation. The Cougars ended the season with 21 interceptions.

According to Washington’s bio, the Cougars also got much better on special teams last season:

Houston's special teams saw significant improvement in Washington's first season. The kickoff return unit improved from 125th to 28th, kickoff return defense from 75th to 45th, punt return from 99th to 41st and punt return defense from 22nd to fourth.

Co-defensive coordinator/safeties coach Craig Naivar will also follow Herman from Houston, according to Sports Illustrated. A Texas native, Naivar worked with Herman at Sam Houston State, Texas State, and Rice before joining Herman’s staff at Houston.

Chang worked in the production departments at ESPN and the Longhorn Network in addition to a stint as a football recruiting assistant at Ohio State when Herman was in Columbus. The Texas alum joined Herman’s staff at Houston in March of 2016.

Two other members of Herman’s support staff are also headed to Austin, according to the Houston Chronicle — strength and conditioning coach Yancy McKnight and director of operations Fernando Lovo.

A Division II All-American offensive lineman at Missouri Southern, McKnight served as the strength and conditioning coach at Rice and then Iowa State with Herman.

Lovo was the Football Operations Director at Ohio State before joining Herman in Houston as his Assistant AD for Football Operations.

One of the big remaining names under consideration for Herman’s staff is Florida State tight ends coach Tim Brewster, the former Texas assistant who convinced Vince Young to join the Longhorns.

Brewster could play a big role in helping the ‘Horns land star prospects like Marvin Wilson and Walker Little and he’s “likely” to join Herman’s staff, according to 247Sports.

The question becomes the timetable, as Florida State is bowl eligible, but Herman would need Brewster to hit the recruiting trail immediately to make the most of the final two weeks before the dead period begins.

At the offensive coordinator position, 247Sports continues to report that the pending Bev Kearney lawsuit would keep Major Applewhite from his own return to Austin. He’s expected to interview for the opening at Houston.

On the defensive side of the ball, LSU’s Dave Aranda is still the top name floating around to become the defensive coordinator at Texas. Aranda and Herman were roommates at Cal Lutheran and have remained close.

However, the Tigers are reportedly so intent on keeping Aranda that he could receive a raise to $2 million this season, a number the Longhorns aren’t likely to match.

For those wondering about Jeff Traylor, the tight ends coach under Charlie Strong who was so successful recruiting in his native East Texas, Horns247 is reporting that Herman won’t retain Traylor or any other assistants from the Strong era.

On Monday, Anwar Richardson of Orangebloods reported the same thing:

Later on Monday, Brian Davis of the Austin American-Statesman noted that Houston had taken down the bios for tight ends coach Corby Meekins, offensive line coach Derek Warehime, defensive line coach Oscar Giles, and special teams/cornerbacks coach Jason Washington.