Why Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns are under so much pressure in 2025 | College Football Enquirer

The University of Texas Longhorns football program has long been one of the most storied and influential in college football history. From their championship wins in the 1960s and 2000s to their consistent presence in national conversations, the Longhorns have stood as a powerhouse for decades. But in recent years, the program has struggled to return to the elite level that fans and alumni have come to expect. Enter Steve Sarkisian, the head coach tasked with leading Texas back to glory. As the 2025 season looms, Sarkisian finds himself under immense pressure to deliver success, not just for the sake of the program’s reputation, but also for his own coaching career.

Texas football is on the verge of entering the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in 2024, an ambitious move that has generated both excitement and trepidation within the fanbase. The competition in the SEC is fierce, and Texas will be joining a conference that includes juggernauts like Alabama, Georgia, and LSU, all of whom consistently recruit at a high level and field championship-caliber teams. For Sarkisian, leading Texas into the SEC as a competitive program is a monumental task. The 2025 season, then, becomes a critical juncture, as it may shape the trajectory of his tenure in Austin and determine whether the Longhorns can handle the transition to the SEC.

The Stakes Are High for Steve Sarkisian

Steve Sarkisian was hired in 2021 to turn around a Texas program that had not won a Big 12 title since 2009 and had been stuck in mediocrity for years. After a promising tenure as the offensive coordinator at Alabama, Sarkisian was seen as the ideal candidate to restore Texas to its rightful place among the nation’s elite. His offensive prowess and reputation for developing quarterbacks made him an attractive choice, especially given Texas’ struggles at the quarterback position in the previous decade.

However, despite the initial excitement surrounding Sarkisian’s arrival, the Longhorns have experienced a mix of highs and lows under his leadership. In his first season at Texas, the team showed promise but ultimately finished with a disappointing 5-7 record, failing to make a bowl game. The 2022 season was a slight improvement, with the Longhorns finishing 8-5, but they once again fell short of expectations, particularly in big games.

This inconsistency is a significant factor contributing to the pressure Sarkisian faces entering the 2025 season. The Texas fanbase is passionate and expects immediate results, and while Sarkisian has shown flashes of brilliance, the program’s lack of sustained success under his leadership has left many questioning whether he is the right man to lead Texas back to the top.

Moreover, Sarkisian’s success as an offensive coordinator at Alabama has raised the bar for his tenure in Austin. The expectations for the Longhorns are not just to be competitive—they are expected to be a perennial national championship contender. Texas has the resources, talent, and fan support to be one of the best programs in the country, and Sarkisian’s failure to meet those expectations could cost him his job.

Pressure to Compete in the SEC

The pressure on Sarkisian and the Longhorns is only heightened by the impending move to the SEC in 2024. The SEC is widely regarded as the premier college football conference, with its dominance on the national stage well-established. Programs like Alabama, Georgia, LSU, and Auburn have a long history of success, and the competition in the conference is only going to intensify. Texas will no longer be able to rely on its status as a Big 12 powerhouse, and Sarkisian will need to prove that his program can not only survive but thrive in this new environment.

The SEC is known for its physicality, defensive prowess, and high-level recruiting. The talent gap between Texas and some of the top SEC programs is significant, and Sarkisian will need to quickly adjust to this new reality. While Texas has consistently recruited well under Sarkisian, the SEC will present a whole new level of competition, both on the field and in the recruiting arena. The Longhorns will need to find ways to keep pace with the likes of Alabama, Georgia, and LSU, who have long been dominant in both recruiting and player development.

If Texas struggles in the SEC, it could have serious ramifications for Sarkisian’s job security. The expectations for success in the conference are sky-high, and Texas fans will not tolerate mediocrity. Sarkisian is tasked with not just maintaining Texas’ place among the Big 12 elite, but also proving that the Longhorns belong among the top teams in the SEC. His ability to adapt to this new level of competition and lead his team to success in the SEC will be one of the defining factors of his career at Texas.

Quarterback Play and Offensive Consistency

One of the primary factors contributing to the pressure on Sarkisian and the Longhorns is the continued instability at the quarterback position. Texas has had a long history of quarterback struggles, and while there have been flashes of promise, no signal-caller has yet emerged as the clear and consistent leader for the program. Quarterback play is often the defining factor in college football, and Sarkisian’s offense is built around a high-level quarterback who can execute the system and make plays in critical moments.

In 2023, Texas saw a promising performance from quarterback Quinn Ewers, but his development was not without its ups and downs. Ewers showed potential but also displayed inconsistencies, particularly in big games. His performance was a microcosm of Texas’ overall offensive struggles—flashes of brilliance but not enough to consistently compete with the best teams in the nation. For Sarkisian to take the next step as a coach and elevate Texas, he needs to have a steady and reliable quarterback under center.

The 2025 season will likely be the pivotal year for Ewers, and it could determine Sarkisian’s future in Austin. If Ewers continues to struggle or fails to develop into the quarterback that Sarkisian needs to lead his offense, it could spell trouble for both Sarkisian and the Longhorns. Quarterback development is one of Sarkisian’s trademarks, and if he cannot get consistent play from the most important position on the field, it will be difficult for Texas to contend with the top teams in the country, especially in the SEC.

Additionally, Sarkisian’s offense needs to become more balanced. While Texas has shown an ability to throw the ball effectively, it has often struggled to run the ball with consistency. The ability to establish a strong rushing attack will be vital as Texas transitions to the SEC. Without a reliable ground game, it will be difficult for Texas to compete with the physical, run-heavy teams in the SEC, and this imbalance could further exacerbate the pressure on Sarkisian to produce results.

The Recruiting Landscape and Talent Acquisition

Another area where Sarkisian faces significant pressure is in recruiting. Texas has historically been one of the most talented teams in the nation when it comes to recruiting, and the Longhorns have the resources and facilities to attract top-tier talent. However, the competition for recruits is fierce, especially with the rise of SEC programs and the increasing importance of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals in the recruitment process.

Sarkisian has been successful in landing high-profile recruits, but Texas has still found itself battling programs like Alabama, Georgia, and LSU for the top players. If Sarkisian cannot maintain or even elevate Texas’ recruiting efforts in the SEC, the program could fall behind in the arms race for talent. Recruiting success is often the differentiator between the top programs in college football, and if Texas cannot consistently bring in elite talent, it will be difficult for Sarkisian to achieve long-term success.

In 2025, Texas will need to secure commitments from some of the top recruits in the country to keep pace with SEC powers. With the added pressure of the SEC move, Texas needs to show that it can not only compete on the field but also on the recruiting trail. If Sarkisian cannot maintain the high level of talent necessary to compete in the SEC, the pressure on his job will only intensify.

The Longhorns’ Crucial 2025 Season

The Texas Longhorns find themselves at a crossroads as they approach the 2025 season. Steve Sarkisian, now entering his fourth year as head coach, faces immense pressure to deliver results. With the transition to the SEC looming, the stakes have never been higher. Sarkisian must find consistency at quarterback, improve the balance of his offense, and continue to recruit at a high level in order to compete with the SEC’s elite programs. If he fails to do so, Texas risks falling behind in the arms race for national championships and could find itself in a difficult position as it moves forward into the most competitive college football conference in the nation.

For Sarkisian, 2025 represents a make-or-break year. The Longhorns have the talent, resources, and fan support to succeed, but success in the SEC requires more than just potential—it requires results. The eyes of the college football world will be on Texas in 2025, and how Sarkisian handles the pressure will determine the future of the Longhorns program for years to come.