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Texas has come a good distance since Steve Sarkisian took over this system in 2021. The Longhorns enter the 2025 season because the No. 1 crew within the nation, and so they have a possible celebrity at quarterback in Arch Manning, however the outlook wasn’t practically nearly as good simply 4 years in the past.
In an interview with Dave Campbell’s Texas Soccer, Sarkisian revealed the most important problem he confronted upon taking the job in Austin. The Longhorns have a wealthy historical past, however Sarkisian discovered that too many gamers and personnel believed that success would switch to them through the facility of the Longhorns brand.
“We had gamers that will choose and select once they wish to do issues the best manner,” Sarkisian stated. “We had gamers and folks within the group that have been entitled as a result of they put the Longhorn brand on day-after-day and suppose they deserve success. We had people who wish to be good however do not know what it means to be nice.”
That is why Sarkisian prioritized toughness as he tried to reinvent what had turn out to be a stale tradition at Texas. It is a trait Sarkisian needed to study himself after was dismissed at USC in 2015 and compelled to rebuild his profession. One of many Texas gamers who expertise that change firsthand was receiver Jordan Whittington, who says he benefitted from Sarkisian’s extra hard-nosed method.
“When somebody will get on you want that and you’ve got the best mindset, you’re taking it and switch it into one thing optimistic,” Whittington stated. “I am glad he did not maintain again.”
With time, Sarkisian’s method started to yield outcomes as that toughness confirmed up extra usually on the sector. The Longhorns have improved their win complete every year below Sarkisian and are coming off a Faculty Soccer Playoff semifinal look.
With Manning now on the controls of the offense, Texas is poised to problem for a nationwide title. Can this Texas crew ship on the preseason hype? Sarkisian says his gamers are embracing that problem.
“This group needs to be the crew that will get over the hump,” Sarkisian stated. “Now, now we have a ton of labor to do, however I do suppose there is a mentality that you need to get it accomplished, and now we have that mindset and satisfaction inside this locker room.”
It will not take lengthy for Texas to face its first main take a look at of 2025. Sarkisian and his crew roll into Columbus for a Week 1 matchup (and Faculty Soccer Playoff rematch) with No. 3 Ohio State on Saturday afternoon.
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