Texas is one of the very few programs that are standing tall amidst the rapidly changing face of college football. And that’s all thanks to Steve Sarkisian’s coaching. He’s turning things around in his stint as HC for the Longhorns, and boy, is he seeing some results. 2 back-to-back playoff and conference championship appearances are more than enough to prove that Sarkisian was always the right fit for Texas. However, a far more commendable feat of his is the mentality he’s ingrained into the minds of his players. Those guys are loyal to the program and are in for the long ride.

“There’s nowhere else I want to be. I want to be at Texas.” That’s what Arch Manning said about Sarkisian. If the most elite player in CFB right now can say those words about a program, it’s one that’s got some solid mindset. The HC is expected to go onwards and upwards this season, after stopping short in the semi-finals in 2024. The Longhorns are built different intrinsically, and it says a lot about how Sarkisian hopes to shape the program for the future.

Former Texas WR and 4-time All-Big 12 honoree Jaxon Shipley also had nothing but high praise about the HC. He said in a May 24 episode of On Texas Football, “I think what Coach Sark has built is a miracle in today’s age of football, truthfully.” He further added, “It is a place that is like the top of the top places that you want to be because everybody knows Texas has the juice right now. And it all starts from the top down. And to me, Coach Sark obviously must be a genuine person, regardless of what anyone thinks on the outside.”

Shipley said that Steve Sarkisian’s style has resonated deeply with the guys because of authenticity. And, they have full trust in their HC. “[You] hear them talk about like Coach Sark’s plan. ‘Yeah, well, like Coach Sark had a plan for the season. Here’s how it’s gonna unfold. We do these things. We don’t even question it. And the reason why we don’t question it is because we know that it’s a recipe for success. Because we’ve seen it.” And this culture is what ensures Sarkisian’s stay at Texas for quite some time in the future.

Recruiting, physical training, and practice are only one side of football coaching. The test of an HC is to successfully orient the player to a great mentality. And Steve Sarkisian has done just that. He has an army of players, both now and in the past, who are loyal to him. And among them is the face of the Longhorns, Arch Manning.

Arch Manning is a guaranteed contender for Heisman, says an anonymous coach

The one player the entire football community will be waiting to see take his first snap this season is Manning. After a patient 2 years, Manning now finally has the QB1 spot. He sat behind Quinn Ewers and outshone him in popularity with his limited appearances. But now that Manning has the crown to himself, he also has to deliver upon the heaps of expectations laid upon his shoulders. Will he emerge as an elite player this season? And will he take the Heisman trophy?

“This kid is a legit, Heisman-level package. Provided he produces at that level, the offense will be even better,” an anonymous coach told Athlon Sports. He could not be clearer about his stance. “Book it: Arch Manning is going to win the Heisman,” the coach added further. Manning played in 10 games last season and produced 939 yards, a 67.8% completion rate, and 9 TDs. And if the QB truly brings that ‘Manning’ factor to his game this season, he’ll have a surefire chance of landing in the top spots in the run-up to the Heisman trophy.

Steve Sarkisian is going to be leading a program that has a lot of weight and value to it. It’s not just because of its stars, but also because of the culture he’s instilled in his players. As long as that lasts at Texas, Sarkisian’s tenure will go down in Texas books as one of the most memorable ones.