Pro Bowler and Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams has clear expectations of coaches. Earlier in March, the former NFL RB labeled himself as the “best coach” he ever had and challenged Deion Sanders and his impact on college football if he were given the same opportunity as the Colorado HC. But as the 2024 college football season progressed, he found out that there was one particular CFB coach who was an embodiment of his ideal perception of a coach. 

Ricky Williams has the utmost respect and admiration for Texas HC Steve Sarkisian. Five dominant wins in September and they’re No. 2 in CFB just behind Alabama. In an X post by Jim Rone on October 4, Williams joins the show to reveal why Steve Sarkisian has been so effective in Texas. His answer is, “Honestly, he cares. He really cares about these young men and I think he appreciates having football as a tool to help make leaders.”

This high praise for Steve Sarkisian comes after his bold statement on Deion Sanders saying, “It’d be bigger than a “Deion” effect. Even if a smaller school offered me. When I say ‘better than Deion,’ or ‘different than Deion,’ it’s because I’m an astrologer. So, when I’m coaching these kids, I’m not just looking at what I see with my eyes, I’m looking at something deeper.” 

For Ricky Williams, a great football coach needs to have two primary qualities. First, a creative mastermind with the ability to win games, and the second quality is that they should care about the players as human beings and not treat them like chess pieces. He also dragged in Nick Saban as a core example of his description saying that the ability to connect emotionally with a player is one of the greatest traits that a coach can boast about. As for Sarkisian, his rise to prominence is a result of his endurance from past struggles and the connection he has with his players. 

How Steve Sarkisian is winning in Texas

When Steve Sarkisian first came to Texas in 2021, he ended with a 5-7 record. But the following year, the number of losses went down to 4, and in 2023, they ended with an impressive 12-1 season. This season has begun on a great note with five dominant wins, including a win over National Champions Michigan. This is progression at its best. 

Coming to his relationship with the players, Sarkisian emphasized transparency and honesty. He said, “When you can be transparent, open and honest in any relationship, that’s when there’s real growth, that’s when there’s real connectivity, that’s when there’s real love, and I think that’s what we have here now.” With this mutual sense of respect and care between coaches and players, Texas continues to bask in its winning culture. After all, performance is best where you’re cared for. 

Also, check out this interesting interview with Doug Sanders on his college NIL takes in our exclusive Think Tank interview.