Steve Sarkisian Delivers a Confident Message to Texas Longhorns Fans and Sends a Warning to the Rest of the Big 12

The Texas Longhorns are yearning to get back into the national conversation in college football. Texas hasn’t reached a national championship since 2009, and it hasn’t won a title since Vince Young’s late-game heroics in 2005.

Tom Herman clearly wasn’t the answer for the Longhorns, but they’re hoping their newest hire will be. Steve Sarkisian, who just led Alabama’s historic offense to a national championship, was introduced as Texas’ new head coach Tuesday, and he didn’t mince words about his expectations for the program.

Steve Sarkisian parlayed his success at Alabama into the Texas head coach job

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Nick Saban will get the most credit for Alabama’s dominant national championship run this season, but Steve Sarkisian deserves just as much praise for leading the Crimson Tide to their sixth title since 2009.

Sarkisian served as the offensive coordinator for Saban’s offense this year. Under Sarkisian, Alabama scored 48.5 points per game in 2020, which ranked second in the nation. The Crimson Tide also racked up 541.6 yards per game, which ranked fourth.

Alabama exploded for 621 total yards and 52 points against Ohio State in the national title game Monday night. Sarkisian exploited the Buckeyes’ defense with clever motions and a wide variety of route combinations all night. They just couldn’t keep up.

Texas saw how impressive Sarkisian was this season, and it was enough to land him the most coveted available job in college football. Before the championship game, Sarkisian agreed to a six-year, $34.2 million contract to become the head coach of the Longhorns.

Sarkisian delivers a confident message to Texas Longhorns fans

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Less than 24 hours after lifting the championship trophy in New Orleans, Sarkisian arrived in Austin, Texas for his introductory press conference. He could’ve just played it safe for his first impression, but that’s not how Sarkisian rolls. The new head coach is already in championship-or-bust mode.

“I came here to win championships,” Sarkisian said. “That’s the goal. We’re here to chase greatness, to win championships. That’s why I’m here. That’s what’s going to drive us every single day.”

And Sarkisian believes Texas will be competing for a title right away.

“I don’t think it’s going to take us as long as many might think,” he said. “We’ve got a talented young roster. I think we’re going to hire a tremendous coaching staff. And we’re going to continue to recruit the best players in the state of Texas. This work will be all gas and no brakes. We will lay down on the hammer and go get it.”

Steve Sarkisian sends a personal message to Longhorns fans

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On Wednesday morning, Texas Athletics sent a mass email out to fans across the country. Sarkisian wanted to send a personalized message to Longhorn nation, and they’re going to love what he had to say.

“When you’re cheering us on, I want you to be excited by the brand of football we put on the field. It will be a disciplined, physical and attacking style that is going to be needed to win championships. You’ll be proud of what you see on gamedays, as well as how we represent you on and off the field. It’s time to roll up our sleeves and go to work! Hook ’em,” the email reads.

If that brand of football looks anything like what it did at Alabama, Texas fans should be foaming at the mouth to get started next fall.