It takes a lot of sacrifice to become one of the greatest athletes in your sport. Ever since taking over the team back in 2001, Jerritt Elliott has transformed the Texas Longhorns into something remarkable. It was a cinematic moment when the Longhorns went up against Nebraska and managed to grab their second National Championship win in 2023. This was a back-to-back win for Elliott, who had led the team to another championship win back in 2022.

And to understand what it took to take the team to that height, we got Elliott in an exclusive interview on EssentiallySports Think Tank. Host and brand innovator Trey Holder engaged in an open conversation with Elliott. This opened the doors to unraveling the details of the sacrifices it took to make anyone who looks at the Longhorns say, “That’s remarkable.”

The sacrifices Jerritt Elliott had to make

Sometimes one just has to sit back and think for a moment. That is exactly what Elliott did. “But it all kind of happened in 2011. Just gave me some time to reflect on why I was coaching,” Elliott mentioned. After the major loss in 2011 during the Elite Eight, the HC had to take some time off and rethink his coaching philosophy altogether. “You know, there’s so much heartache in terms of, you put a whole year into it and you don’t win, and then you just go through this whole emotional Pandora’s box,” he noted. Because he loved the kids on the team, Elliott permitted himself to rethink why he got into coaching in the first place. This allowed the coach to reinvest in the area, and that had a whole ripple effect. The culture on the team began to improve, and Elliott found himself communicating even better than before.

Not only that, Elliott was also able to manage all the stress much better. “My maturity in terms of how to handle all the stressors that go on that and my staff have has really grown in that area,” he noted. We saw first-hand how this little break aided in the improvement of the team’s performance. When the Longhorns went up against California back in 2012, the team managed to grab a majestic 21-10 win against California. Elliott took the Longhorns to an 8-5 record during that season. Now, if we come back to the present, the Longhorns are aiming for 3 peats. With 2022 and 2023 national championship cups under their belts, winning 2024 would make them the GOATs of the sport. And Elliott has the perfect weapon to ensure a win for the team.

Jerritt Elliott’s vision, spearheaded by Madisen Skinner

Host Trey Holder had an amazing question for Elliott. “Who’s the person in and volleyball that can really lift the sport up as a player and and be featured like, you know, the Caitlin and angels of the world?” he asked. After helping Kentucky win a national championship back in 2020, Madisen Skinner marked her name as someone you should keep an eye out for. She then transferred to Texas and helped the Longhorns win 2 back-to-back national championships. “We also have the best player in the country in Madison Skinner,” Elliott mentioned during the interview. Skinner was someone who started late. She was pursuing dancing and then slowly made her way into volleyball.

What sets her apart from the competition is her raw talent. “He’s one of our, you know, those once in a decade athletes that come through your program,” Elliott mentioned. Skinner has amazing physical prowess and speed, which makes her a force to be reckoned with on the court. If that wasn’t enough, she is also amazing when it comes to being a powerful brand ambassador. Elliott had mentioned one major fact that he had realized while he was revitalizing the game in Texas. “You’ve got to create a fan base; you got to create a community,” he noted. Skinner’s ability to connect with fans and teammates aligns with her coach’s vision of building a community.

The interview with Jerritt Elliott revealed a lot of details regarding the team and the philosophy. It also went in-depth to reveal Elliott’s advice for young athletes and the discussion regarding NILs. All of this was made possible by the EssentiallySports Think Tank initiative. The Think Tank aims to accumulate the greatest minds in sports and bring them directly to you. Taking hold of the reins, host and innovator Trey Holder engages in candid conversations with the guests to reveal every detail you would need to grow and learn about leadership and performance. This Is EssentiallySports Think Tank—Where Sports Meets Smart Content.