In college football, following each other’s footsteps is pretty common. For instance, poaching players or coaches or trying to follow each other’s blueprints are often seen. Right now, it’s Texas Longhorns HC Steve Sarkisian who is reportedly trying to emulate Brent Venables and Oklahoma Sooners. However, in this case, being a copycat won’t hurt much. After all, it’s the Longhorns players who are going to benefit from Sarkisian’s move and are set to make the most use of the program’s $15 million fortune. Meanwhile, the Longhorns are thankful to their HC for preventing a huge loss.

Both Venables and Sarkisian took their programs out of Big 12, last July. The transition to the SEC did come with a financial prize, however there has been discrimination. According to a new report by SEC Sports on February 7, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey announced to the conference’s 16 schools for the 2023-24 fiscal year. This came to an end on August 31, 2024. Going by the quick math, out of $790.7 million direct distribution, $17.7 million is retained by the universities. That made up to, each school getting an average of $52.5 million. Sadly, Sarkisian and Venables were not that lucky. As per the reports, each received $27.5 million. However, this time it’s about revenue sharing. So, no matter what they have got, the Sooners HC will be sharing it with the athletes and so will Sark.

On February 18, Dallas News analyst Brian Davis tweeted a post from George Stoia III regarding the declaration of the OU’s decision. As per the reports, “Most schools are giving the lion’s share of the $20.5 million rev share to football. Think 75%..” Now that makes up to approximately 15 million. A part of Venables’ team’s declaration read, “Oklahoma is planning to share the maximum allowed annual revenue, amounting to $20.5 million beginning July 1, 2025.” These would cover scholarships, NIL, with an attempt to help the student-athletes. And what about Sarkisian? The caption read, “Texas has yet to publicly acknowledge it will be doing the $20.5 million revenue sharing with athletes, but the Horns will.”

Davis further added, “I’m told Sark has shared this with his players. CDC’s annual Town Hall is next week.” Does that mean Sakisian’s mindset is changing little by little? As earlier the HC stated that how he would never use NIL to poach players, “NIL doesn’t come up. That should be the last reason to choose to go to a school, whether it’s Texas or any other school.” While the revenue sharing with student-athletes takes shape, Sarkisian came up with a win in the coaching roster.

Steve Sarkisian’s game-saving move  

Now Sarkisian and his boys have proved themselves throughout. They have won the Big 12 title and appeared in the SEC Championship in year one of the conference.  And what about playoffs? They appeared in two of them. But even coming off as a strong force, NFL is the name that probably Sarkisian is dreading now the most. Can he be blamed? Definitely not! After all, the Longhorns had their heartbroken losing their running backs coach Tashard Choice. Now this confirms a lot of woes for Sarkisian’s Texas.

After all, as Choice headed to Detroit Lions, the Longhorns lost their master who prepped the players for the big NFL transition. As J.D. PicKell stated, “The biggest loss I think you have in losing him as a running back coach is what he is as a recruiter. Like Texas just locked up the top class in America. Choice has to believe pretty massive role in putting that class together.” Choice’s loss was not enough. The Lions almost snatched away Texas’ strength and conditioning coach Torre Becton.

It has been a do-or-die situation for Steve Sarkisian. According to Anwar Richardson of Orangebloods, the HC was able to lock the gates. Finally, they were able to prevent Becton’s departure who is considered to be the heart and soul of the program. Clever man Sarkisian! With poaching threats going on, he handed out a raise and an extension to Becton. Let’s hope the Longhorns’ decision with the revenue sharing earns the trust of the players too.