Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns ended their 2024 campaign just one step away from the national championship, losing to Ohio State in the semifinals. The program’s last championship came when head coach Mack Brown and quarterback Vince Young took the team to a 41-38 win over USC in the 2005 season’s BCS title game.
With Sarkisian at the helm and his former QB1, Quinn Ewers, Texas made two playoff appearances for the first time in the College Football Playoff era. The first came in 2023 when the team finished their season in the semifinals, the same as in 2024.
Arch Manning on Steve Sarkisian’s Influence as a Head Coach
In 2024, the Longhorns’ offense came out with a boom, as Ewers was a cornerstone player. However, with Ewers declaring for draft, his place is projected to be given to Arch Manning, who shared playing time with Ewers while the latter dealt with injuries.
As Texas enters the 2025 season as a whole other team and without their veteran signal-caller, there’s uncertainty regarding whether Texas and Sarkisian can maintain their successful production.
In midst of this, Manning expressed confidence in his head coach in a conversation with ESPN’s Marty Smith, who asked the QB about Sarkisian’s influence on the team.
“I think he fits his offense and his play calling to his players,” Manning said. “He’s smart, he’s innovative, and he wants to win. He’s a competitive guy. He works really hard, prepares, and he gets us in the right position to win games.”
Even though Ewers spent more time as a starter this past season, fans saw what Manning could do while the former was dealing with an oblique injury. Manning won both of his starts, scoring five touchdowns. Sarkisian also used him in short-yardage situations where he could run for a first down.
KEEP READING: Manning Faces Growing Pressure as Sarkisian’s 2025 Class Lands Elite 5-Star Duo
Manning was a top-ranked recruit in the Class of 2023, which came with high expectations that he will carry into the 2025 season. He passed for 939 yards and nine touchdowns on a 67.8% completion rate while also rushing for 108 yards on 25 carries and four scores. Meanwhile, Ewers recorded 3,472 yards and 31 TDss on a 65.8% completion rate in 2024.
College Football Network has you covered with the latest from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, and every Group of Five conference and FBS Independent program.
