Steve Sarkisian says no to Texas Longhorns spring football game
AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Longhorns won't hold a spring football game this year, head coach Steve Sarkisian said Thursday morning.
Sarkisian, fresh off a new seven-year contract extension, broke the news during a live interview with Kay Adams on the Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams!
The Longhorns coach cited the number of games his teams have played over the last two seasons and the evolving landscape of college football as reasons for the decision.
"Over the last two years, we’ve played 30 games. That’s a lot for college football: 14 two years ago and 16 this year. We had 25 guys invited to the (NFL) combine the last two years. We’ve got a lot of young players on the roster. The development that’s needed for these guys to get ready for the fall is a little bit different than it used to be. Our approach is going to be a little bit more NFL-driven. More of an OTA style early on as we grow into more scrimmage formats in the second half of spring ball. I just don’t know if rolling the ball out and playing the game when we only get 15 practices is the best for us," Sarkisian said.
Spring practice dates haven't been officially announced. The Orange-White spring game is typically the culmination of spring practice — the 15th and final practice allowed by the NCAA. Spring practice normally happens in March and April.
Sarkisian said he's looking to the NFL for inspiration on his practice schedule, saying the first half of spring may be more like an NFL offseason of workout programs and minicamps, which are typically lighter on the physical side.
“College football is changing right now and we need to do a great job, as coaches, of adapting to college football. That’s what we’re trying to do and it’s going to be good for the team,” Sarkisian added.
Fourteen Longhorns players, a new school record, were invited to the upcoming NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis.
UT Athletics Director Chris Del Conte may provide more context on the future of spring football at his Texas Athletics Town Hall event next Wednesday, Feb. 26.
University of Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule recently canceled the Cornhuskers' spring game, saying he had concerns about his players being poached from the program in the new era of college football with Name, Image, Likeness (NIL).
During the interview with Adams, Sarkisian also discussed his new contract extension and, to no surprise, said Arch Manning will be the Longhorns' starting quarterback for the 2025 season.
"I really think I have the best job in America,” Sarkisian said. “Our work’s not done but I love the progress… and I get to live in Austin.”
Sarkisian didn't get into specifics about Manning's impact on the Longhorns offense but said he'll add a different dimension with his athleticism.
“He gives us a little more versatility. Everybody’s into the 'zone read' world right now. The NFL’s evolving right now too. People are incorporating the quarterback more and more now,” Sarkisian said.