Steven Sarkisian Taps Into the “Nick Saban-Isms” to Revive Texas Longhorns Amid Growing Struggles

With the 2024 season kicking into action, the Longhorns fans have renewed hopes for Sarkisian. The season is bringing in a zeal like never before, one that screams ‘playoffs’. Reaching there would be a process for Sarkisian, especially after giving an almost flawless 12-2 season in 2023. For that, the Texas head coach is equipped with the best tried-and-tested playbook. In his interview Late Kick with Josh Pate, Sarkisian mentioned the philosophy he is set to follow for the season, with expectations set right at the top with the name ‘National Championship’ on it.

“It’s not just result-oriented, the results have been downstream. I would imagine that a lot of stuff has rewired internally,” were the challenges that presented themselves in Sarkisian’s way, pegging him back from winning the Sugar Bowl against the Kalen DeBoer-led Washington Huskies. However, this time, the Texas head coach has reached the ultimate core values, fresh from the playbook of one of the ‘best head coaches in CFB’ Nick Saban, whom Sarkisian also proudly calls one of his best mentors.

The answer was simple. In fact, just two words: Nick Saban-isms. “I sometimes tap into some of the Nick Saban-isms. If you remember him he always talked about the process. The byproduct of a really good culture is the byproduct of recruiting. You know really well: Highly talented kids. The byproduct of never sacrificing character for talent in the people you bring into the organization,” Sarkisian stated in the interview.

“You know the byproduct of really living. The addition of who you are some of the time is who you are all of the time. Who are you in our community, the byproduct of that are some of the wins you find a way to win those games because you do have that culture,” the Texas head coach added, with steely eyes determined to bring the National Championship ring home this season. But what will the process look like for him?

The process, as Saban calls it

Starting strong, Sarkisian and Co. haven’t lost many of their elite-level players. Per his confession to Pate in the interview, they patiently await the transfer commits to come. Texas does have players like “One of the CFB’s best pass catchers” and the “No.1 ranked WR” Isiah Bond coming in from Alabama, which is a win-win for Sarkisian. An elite WR trained by Nick Saban when he was relying on his playbook. Other players like Silas Bolden, Andrew Mukuba, Trey Moore, and Matthew Golden have also committed to Texas.

Now, let’s talk about the competitors. While Sarkisian plans to dominate each team, he cannot overlook some. Nebraska and Bulldogs rein as the classic ones while Buffaloes and top programs with new head coaches like Michigan and Alabama would be a growing threat for them. If Sarkisian manages to tackle them, then the National Championship might not be as far away as they think.