Texas coach Steve Sarkisian is the final speaker at Wednesday's SEC Media Days. The Longhorns are a preseason Top 5 team. They made the CFB Playoffs last season, losing to Washington in the semifinals.
** Coach Sark opens by welcoming the SEC media to Dallas. He said his first job was as a grad assistant under Pete Carroll at USC with Lane Kiffin. Said Monte Kiffin always spent time with him and was a mentor. Also sends thoughts and prayers to those affected by the hurricane. He then thanks Coach Saban for having such a positive impact on his career and college football.
** Sark said he knew he had to build a team that could compete in the SEC to win a national championship even before Texas decided to join the SEC. "We have a ton of respect for this conference ... This is the elite conference in college football ... We have to earn their respect."
** It's taken a long time for Texas to get back to this stage of competing for a national championship. Excited to have 11 players drafted. Our players got a taste of what being a champion and they fell short. They couldn't wait to get back to competing. We've got a team full of hungry players.
** You have to have depth across the board to compete in SEC. This is the deepest team they've had since Sark has been there.
** QB Quinn Ewers has improved each season. He exudes confidence. He's our leader. "He's got a great belt buckle on and some awesome boots."
** Believe in balance on offense with multiple formations, shifts, RPO, etc. Really committed ourself to stopping the run last year. Have to get better on pass defense, especially creating more pass rush this year. We play aggressive special teams and play our best players on special teams. Our team has to be mentally and physically tough.
** "Our goal is to come into this conference and compete for a conference championship."
Here come the questions...
** On Arch Manning being a backup for two years: We've had good QB's here and the Manning family is aware of that. They want to put him in the best position of developing into an NFL QB. It hasn't been hard on him at all.
** On rotating more WR's: We are going to play more receivers. It's a very talented room. Three great transfer WR's. Also signed a good class of WR's in 2023 and again in 2024. Going to play more players early in the season than we have because of the toughness of the schedule.
** On Ewers Heisman hype: Quinn is the coolest guy in the room. He's not caught up in that staff. He's going to hunt or fish during his free time. He's more focused on winning and being a great teammate.
** On what made year three click: It takes time building a culture. Had to recruit and develop players that fit his system and his culture. You have to stay committed to who you are and what you believe in. In his first season, had just a couple of leaders. About a half dozen in year two. It's 20-something now.
** On the natural evolution of the offense: He's hesitant to say too much, not give away much to opponents. Wants to stay on the cutting edge. Sark said they have very versatile talent on offense. "We try to do a lot of things to make people prepare for it."
** On the Iron Bowl, Red River rivalry and TAMU-Texas: Sark says he's been part of some great games. Said Red River rivalry is the most unique game. He said half of game is a home game and half is a road game. <I'm giving that a HORNS DOWN>
** Again on Texas-TAMU: Great game, divides households. Players are excited more than you'd think because we haven't played this game in a while. Going to be a great environment at Kyle Field.
** I missed question but Sark said it's going to be a great season of college football and he wants his players and fans to enjoy it.
*****THAT'S ALL*****
** Coach Sark opens by welcoming the SEC media to Dallas. He said his first job was as a grad assistant under Pete Carroll at USC with Lane Kiffin. Said Monte Kiffin always spent time with him and was a mentor. Also sends thoughts and prayers to those affected by the hurricane. He then thanks Coach Saban for having such a positive impact on his career and college football.
** Sark said he knew he had to build a team that could compete in the SEC to win a national championship even before Texas decided to join the SEC. "We have a ton of respect for this conference ... This is the elite conference in college football ... We have to earn their respect."
** It's taken a long time for Texas to get back to this stage of competing for a national championship. Excited to have 11 players drafted. Our players got a taste of what being a champion and they fell short. They couldn't wait to get back to competing. We've got a team full of hungry players.
** You have to have depth across the board to compete in SEC. This is the deepest team they've had since Sark has been there.
** QB Quinn Ewers has improved each season. He exudes confidence. He's our leader. "He's got a great belt buckle on and some awesome boots."
** Believe in balance on offense with multiple formations, shifts, RPO, etc. Really committed ourself to stopping the run last year. Have to get better on pass defense, especially creating more pass rush this year. We play aggressive special teams and play our best players on special teams. Our team has to be mentally and physically tough.
** "Our goal is to come into this conference and compete for a conference championship."
Here come the questions...
** On Arch Manning being a backup for two years: We've had good QB's here and the Manning family is aware of that. They want to put him in the best position of developing into an NFL QB. It hasn't been hard on him at all.
** On rotating more WR's: We are going to play more receivers. It's a very talented room. Three great transfer WR's. Also signed a good class of WR's in 2023 and again in 2024. Going to play more players early in the season than we have because of the toughness of the schedule.
** On Ewers Heisman hype: Quinn is the coolest guy in the room. He's not caught up in that staff. He's going to hunt or fish during his free time. He's more focused on winning and being a great teammate.
** On what made year three click: It takes time building a culture. Had to recruit and develop players that fit his system and his culture. You have to stay committed to who you are and what you believe in. In his first season, had just a couple of leaders. About a half dozen in year two. It's 20-something now.
** On the natural evolution of the offense: He's hesitant to say too much, not give away much to opponents. Wants to stay on the cutting edge. Sark said they have very versatile talent on offense. "We try to do a lot of things to make people prepare for it."
** On the Iron Bowl, Red River rivalry and TAMU-Texas: Sark says he's been part of some great games. Said Red River rivalry is the most unique game. He said half of game is a home game and half is a road game. <I'm giving that a HORNS DOWN>
** Again on Texas-TAMU: Great game, divides households. Players are excited more than you'd think because we haven't played this game in a while. Going to be a great environment at Kyle Field.
** I missed question but Sark said it's going to be a great season of college football and he wants his players and fans to enjoy it.
*****THAT'S ALL*****
Last edited:
