Is culture, development, discipline…all gimmicky words in college football? Steve Sarkisian, chill as can be, talks about “building a culture of vulnerability” and how “our culture has won us some games.” Sounds deep, right? He’s all about leadership, accountability, and positive coaching. But NFL legend Cam Newton throws a wrench in the works, hinting at Sark’s $9.6 million secret receipt, questioning that culture talk. And a Texas insider? He’s not letting that slide. He’s firing back, shutting down Cam’s take and backing Sark’s culture.

Now, a week ago, Cam Newton offered his bold thoughts on Steve Sarkisian’s “culture building” on his show, but what made everyone scratch their heads is his remarks on what’s behind the whole big recruiting trail. “Building the culture does take time, but having access to the boosters attached to the University of Texas also helps,” Cam Newton said, throwing that shade with a side of reality. “They have the number one recruiting class—hello—and they also probably have the number one spend in the nation.” Well, can we blame him, though? Cam Newton isn’t wrong. Texas has pulled in an adjusted valuation of $9.6 million for the 2025 roster. But let’s be real: can just NIL help in improving your performance?

With a $10 M you can buy a highly touted quarterback, but the prospect too will only go if the culture and the program are the right place for his growth. Now, backing the thought, Texas insider Jonathan Davis on Locked On Longhorns says, “I’m saying like it’s a part of it. And obviously you have to have good players, and we have good players because we’ve paid for them, and I don’t want to say that we have good players, yes, because we paid for them, but also because they want to come to the University of Texas.” That’s true; out of all the big teams, Arch Manning chose Texas. That means something, right?

Further adding to it, Jonathan Davis says, “Because it’s one of the best programs in college football right now, but when you get the players on campus, you still have to mold them, you still have to develop them, and you still have to coach them right. That is development; that is culture.” Remember the Peach Bowl against ASU? Even though ASU racked up 510 yards against Texas’s third-ranked defense, they ultimately lost to Sark’s team 39-31. That’s the kind of composure a strong culture builds in stressful situations. So Davis added, “When you’re in these tight games, in these tough moments, NIL can’t win your games. Talent can’t always win you games. You have to have a strong culture of resilience and toughness to lean on in moments.”

It’s clear that Texas isn’t just winning recruiting battles; they’re amassing top-tier talent like a high-end shopping spree. Safety Jonah Williams? Locked. Defensive stars Justus Terry and Lance Jackson? Secured. Speedster Kaliq Lockett and enforcer Zelus Hicks? Ready to go. This roster is loaded, and the resources behind it speak volumes. The Longhorns claimed the top spot in recruiting, landing five 5-star recruits and thirteen 4-stars. But what’s the point of investing heavily if they don’t perform well?

We all know Ohio State spent $20 million on their roster, which was also one of the factors behind their championship victory. Yet, without a strong team culture, they could have collapsed after losing to Michigan. A team lacking resilience crumbles under pressure, but not them. They bounced back from the defeat, stayed focused, and triumphed in four consecutive games against top opponents. Even Steve Sarkisian understands the significance of such intense moments. That’s why he’s out there giving it back to Cam Newton’s critical verdict.

Steve Sarkisian fires back at Cam Newton’s critique

People are split on Texas’ success; some say it’s the cash, others say it’s more than that. However, it’s essential to acknowledge the remarkable transformation under Steve Sarkisian’s leadership. He took a program that had a 5-7 record in his first season to a College Football Playoff appearance in 2023, showcasing the strong culture he has cultivated at Texas.

Despite any criticisms that may arise, it’s clear that Sarkisian is focused on building a positive environment for the team. Unlike some coaches who are active on social media, Sarkisian maintains a more reserved online presence. However, when he does speak out, his words hold weight. On March 3rd, Sark shared a quote from Kobe Bryant that reads, “Haters are a good problem to have. Nobody hates the good ones. They hate the great ones.” This response was seen as a subtle comeback to Cam Newton’s comments about Texas and the HC’s approach to team culture.

This isn’t just about Texas—other powerhouse programs like Oregon, Georgia, and Ohio State also have plenty of money to spend. But Texas has taken it to another level. Sarkisian talks about players “buying into the culture,” but Cam Newton is calling it like he sees it—Texas isn’t just building a culture; they’re straight-up buying talent. To him, it’s not about leadership or vulnerability—it’s about money running the show. Remember DJ Uiagalelei (Clemson/Oregon State)? He had major NIL deals while at Clemson, including Dr Pepper’s “Fansville” commercials, but struggled with consistency and eventually transferred to FSU.

Sarkisian, true to form, didn’t fire back with words—at least not directly. Instead, he let the timing of his post do the talking. The message? Texas isn’t sweating the outside noise. And if critics like Newton are coming at them, it’s because they’re sitting at the top. The Longhorns aren’t apologizing for their greatness.