Joe Rutland
Writer
When Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian came on board, one of the big pluses he brought with him was his knack for calling a solid game as an offensive coordinator.
Sarkisian has held on to the role while being head coach of the Longhorns. This has followed a feast-or-famine response from players, coaches, and fans.
After watching Texas’ offense, led by starting quarterback Arch Manning, struggle in the Longhorns’ 16-13 overtime win over Kentucky, the topic of letting go of those OC duties has reared its head again.
Sarkisian firmly believes in his offensive plans. Manning, who has gone from media darling and Heisman Trophy candidate to pariah and, in one media outlet’s idea, a “flop,” is still getting his legs underneath him this season.
Entering next Saturday afternoon’s game against Mississippi State, Texas is 5-2 for the season, 2-1 in SEC play. Manning, in these seven games, has passed for 1,449 yards and 12 touchdowns along with five interceptions.
“You know, at the end of the day offensively, I’ve got to do a better job,” Sarkisian said. “I’ve got to do a better job putting all of our players in a position to be successful.
“That’s blocking, that’s throwing the ball to open people,” Sarkisian said. “That’s running routes precisely where they need to be. That’s on nobody but me.
“When you can look in the mirror and say, ‘OK, I’m responsible to try and get this fixed and get better at it. I’m very comfortable with that.”
Sarkisian had Quinn Ewers last season and was able to get the Longhorns into the College Football Playoff before Texas lost to ultimate national champion Ohio State.
Longhorn fans know that Sarkisian takes his job seriously. Yet the demands of a head coach call for him to be focused on all aspects of his football team, not just offense.
Of course, Sarkisian, like every other college football head coach, has other coordinators and coaches on his staff. Being able to trust that they can do their jobs is a key to success on the field.
Sarkisian does not seem willing to even consider hiring an offensive coordinator for Texas. He appears to just want to hang on in the OC position.
Texas was a national championship favorite, along with Penn State, before the 2025 NCAA football season started. Now? Texas is ranked in the bottom of The Associated Press’ Top 25. Penn State? College football fans know that James Franklin’s bad start led him to get fired.
There’s no danger of Sarkisian losing his job at this point. Texas brass still believes Sarkisian is the right man for the role in Austin, Texas.
But the Texas offense needs to improve. From the offensive line to quarterback, it must get better and do so right now.
Sarkisian knows that not only the eyes of Texas, but the eyes of the college football world, are going to see if he can get the job done this season.
Tony Thomas
Author
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