Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian stated that finishing the 2025 college football regular season with a 10-3 record was “not good enough” for a program with championship aspirations. Speaking with college football analyst Paul Finebaum at SEC Media Day, Sarkisian evaluated the team’s missed College Football Playoff berth following a year of high expectations and a roster led by quarterback Arch Manning, according to Yahoo Sports.
Evaluating the 2025 Season and Roster Expectations
Entering the 2025 campaign, Texas opened as the No. 1-ranked team in the country. However, the season encountered early turbulence with an opening-week loss to the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes. The Longhorns ultimately finished 10-3, falling short of the College Football Playoff. Sarkisian told Paul Finebaum that the final record did not meet program standards, particularly after reaching the semifinals in consecutive prior years and knocking on the door of a title, according to Yahoo Sports.
The offense experienced growing pains as Manning navigated his first full year as the starter. The coaching staff spent the offseason addressing a desire for greater offensive balance to compete within the competitive Southeastern Conference. The defense performed strongly under previous assignments, allowing an average of 20.3 points per game and recording 41 sacks over 13 contests.
Coaching Changes and the 2026 Schedule
To maintain defensive intensity, Texas hired veteran coach Will Muschamp as the new defensive coordinator. Muschamp brings extensive head coaching experience from Florida and South Carolina, holding a career record of 55-51. His leadership aims to keep the defensive unit disruptive.
The 2026 schedule presents another demanding test for the Longhorns. After opening against Texas State, Texas hosts Ohio State in Week 2 for a high-stakes rematch of the previous season’s opener. Additional marquee matchups feature road games against LSU, Tennessee, and Texas A&M, alongside home games versus Ole Miss and Florida, according to Yahoo Sports.
Broader Concerns Regarding College Football Health
Beyond the Longhorns’ internal goals, Sarkisian addressed structural pressures facing the sport during SEC spring meetings and an interview with USA TODAY Sports. He pointed to the intense “playoff or bust” mentality created by the 12-team playoff format across more than 70 Power Four programs. According to Yahoo Sports, Sarkisian highlighted the job security implications for coaches, citing the firing of James Franklin at Penn State five games into the previous season following a playoff run the year prior.
Sarkisian argued that the narrow focus on a single national champion diminishes the value of conference championships, bowl game victories, and smaller milestones. With rigorous expectations back in Austin for 2026, the Longhorns aim to navigate a brutal schedule and secure a spot in the playoff field.
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