Texas HC Steve Sarkisian Walks Out to the Texas A&M Song at the SEC Media Days
When Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian walked out to the iconic strains of the Texas A&M Fight Song at SEC Media Days, it wasn’t just a moment that shocked the audience—it was a statement, a move steeped in meaning, a symbol of the seismic shift that Texas’ move to the Southeastern Conference (SEC) represents, and a message that no one at the event would soon forget.
As the Longhorns prepare to make the leap to the SEC, a move that has stirred up emotions on both sides of the rivalry, Sarkisian’s choice to step onto the stage with that unmistakable tune echoing in the background was a calculated decision that spoke volumes about his leadership style, the rivalry with Texas A&M, and the broader implications of Texas’ future in one of college football’s most storied conferences. It was more than a publicity stunt; it was an assertion of confidence, of a new era for Texas football, and a reminder that the Longhorns’ place in the college football hierarchy is no longer up for debate.
The Texas A&M Fight Song, a song that has been woven into the fabric of Aggie pride for generations, might have seemed an unusual choice for a coach who, just months earlier, was still navigating the emotional and logistical complexities of the Longhorns’ transition into the SEC. But for Sarkisian, this was a deliberate move that encapsulated the fierce, unapologetic competitiveness of both the Longhorns and the SEC.
As the music blared through the speakers at the SEC Media Days, the atmosphere shifted. The room, full of reporters, analysts, coaches, and players from across the conference, stood still for a moment. It was as if the sound of those familiar notes was not just the prelude to Sarkisian’s arrival—it was the announcement of something far bigger. The song, a mainstay at Texas A&M football games, was traditionally reserved for Aggie pride, but now, in the context of Texas’ impending SEC arrival, it symbolized something different: a rivalry renewed, an old adversary now operating under the same banner, and a program that was unafraid to embrace its position as a force in college football.
To understand the impact of this moment, one has to look at the history of the Texas-Texas A&M rivalry. For years, the two programs existed in a competitive, but often separate, sphere—separated geographically, culturally, and historically. The rivalry, known for its intensity and passion, was long a centerpiece of Texas’ football schedule. It’s hard to imagine the Texas Longhorns without Texas A&M in the mix—those late-season games were the stuff of legends, full of drama, high stakes, and a palpable sense of state pride. However, following the 2011 season, the two programs went their separate ways, as A&M made the move to the Southeastern Conference while Texas stayed in the Big 12.
In the years that followed, the rivalry became a simmering issue for fans and players alike. Texas and Texas A&M often found themselves on opposite sides of college football’s biggest discussions: conference realignment, playoff expansions, bowl games, recruiting battles, and, of course, the eventual move to the SEC. There was an undeniable void in the state’s football landscape as fans from both sides longed for the day the two schools would face off again in the SEC. And now, with Texas joining the SEC in 2025, that day is rapidly approaching.
Steve Sarkisian, who took over as head coach in 2021, understood the weight of the moment and the symbolic significance of Texas’ move. His background—having coached at both USC and Washington before landing in Austin—had shown him how college football’s biggest rivalries could shape the culture of a program. Sarkisian knew that the Longhorns were entering a new, more competitive chapter of their history in the SEC, and he was determined to usher in this new era with the confidence that Texas belonged at the top of the food chain, alongside programs like Alabama, Georgia, LSU, and of course, the Aggies.
When the decision was made to play the Texas A&M Fight Song as he walked into SEC Media Days, it was a choice that carried weight. It was a recognition of the rich history between Texas and A&M, but it also served as a bold proclamation: Texas is coming back to the SEC not as a newcomer or underdog, but as a program that is ready to challenge for supremacy. Sarkisian wasn’t just stepping into the room; he was stepping into a new reality where Texas would no longer be measured by anything less than SEC standards. And that meant, in part, reckoning with the historical rivalries that the conference cherishes—rivalries that go back decades, sometimes even a century.
The room’s reaction was one of stunned silence, followed by a mixture of laughter, applause, and intrigue. There’s something about sports—and particularly college football—that gives moments like this a surreal power. In a sense, it was as if Sarkisian was creating an early narrative, one where Texas, despite its absence from the SEC for now, was already staking its claim as a force to be reckoned with. And what better way to signal that than with the unmistakable anthem of a team that will soon be Texas’ greatest rival once again?
Sarkisian’s entrance to the SEC Media Days stage with the Texas A&M Fight Song was not a move devoid of controversy. On the surface, it seemed like a playful jab at A&M’s long-standing pride. But beneath that, it reflected the reality of Texas football’s shift in mindset. It’s no longer just about maintaining the tradition and culture of Texas football—it’s about recognizing the new competition, the new standard, and the fact that Texas will now have to battle with the best, day in and day out, in the SEC. Texas A&M, as much as any other school in the SEC, embodies the kind of challenge the Longhorns will face in this new world, and Sarkisian was quick to acknowledge that.
In conversations after his entrance, Sarkisian elaborated on his decision, noting that the rivalry between Texas and A&M had always been a part of the Longhorns’ football identity and that it was crucial for the program to re-enter the SEC with a sense of pride, history, and anticipation. “We’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time,” Sarkisian said. “Texas belongs in the SEC. It belongs with these programs. The Fight Song represents a piece of our history, our rivalry, and our future. A&M is a part of who we are, and we know we’ll be facing them again soon. I wanted to honor that history and also make it clear that Texas is ready for the challenge.”
Sarkisian’s remarks emphasized the broader picture of Texas’ move to the SEC. While the rivalry with Texas A&M was a natural talking point, Sarkisian made it clear that the SEC’s long-standing powerhouses—teams like Alabama, LSU, and Georgia—were now part of Texas’ reality. “We’re not just entering a conference—we’re entering a conference where every game is going to be a battle, a test of our will,” Sarkisian continued. “It’s about competing at the highest level, and we’re prepared to do that.”
The decision to play the Texas A&M Fight Song also had deeper layers of symbolism for the Texas program. It was a reminder that Texas football is no stranger to adversity, and that the Longhorns are stepping into the SEC with the same confidence that has made them one of the most storied programs in college football history. It also served as an acknowledgment that, while the move to the SEC is monumental, it’s also about embracing the fierce competition that comes with it. And that competition, in part, will come from A&M—the team that has long been the standard bearer of Texas pride and rivalry.
For the fans, players, and recruits watching at home, Sarkisian’s entrance also sent a clear message: Texas is embracing the challenge. The Longhorns aren’t intimidated by the SEC; they’re ready to go toe-to-toe with the best, and they’re doing it with pride. The Texas A&M Fight Song was just the beginning of a season that promises to be filled with high stakes, historic matchups, and an entirely new level of intensity for Texas football.
As Sarkisian walked off the stage, his gesture was one that left an indelible mark on SEC Media Days and on the college football landscape. The transition into the SEC will undoubtedly be a journey full of ups and downs, but Texas’ entrance into the conference was made all the more memorable by the boldness and confidence of their head coach. And as the SEC welcomes the Longhorns with open arms and a mixture of anticipation and skepticism, one thing is clear: Texas is no longer content to sit on the sidelines. They are here to compete, and they’re ready to bring their rivalry with Texas A&M—and the entire SEC—back into the spotlight.
