Muschamp keeps recruiting duties

AUSTIN(KXAN/AP) - The NCAA has decided to put a new recruiting rule on hold that would have effective Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp's ability to recruit.  The rule said that publicly named head coaches in waiting would be held to the same recruiting restrictions as head coaches.  That would have meant Muschamp would not have been allowed on the road in April which is a key evaluation time for assistant coaches.  While the rule is not scheduled to go into effect until next year, Mack Brown is hopeful it just goes away.

"We still would like to see the rule changed back like it was where in our case coach Muschamp can do hit duties as a defensive coordinator," said Brown. "I don't think its fair for him and our staff to be hurt because of something in the future because there's no advantage to be him right now, his duties would still be just as a defensive coordinator and we think thats fair."

Texas and Maryland are the only two schools effected by the rule that now has been put on hold for at least one year. An NCAA Spokesman said the schools will now have time to adjust their contracts or pursue permanent relief.

Muschamp was named head coach designate in November of 2008, but no timetable has been set on when Mack Brown is expected to step down.

The Longhorns held their second and final open practice on Tuesday until their spring scrimmage April 4th. The scrimmage will start on Easter Sunday.  Brown said the reason they are holding the game on Easter Sunday and not the Saturday prior is in order to avoid conflict with the Texas Relays.