Steve Sarkisian discusses why the Longhorns will not play in the spring of 2025.

In a stunning turn of events, Steve Sarkisian, the head coach of the Texas Longhorns football team, recently addressed the future of his program and the Texas football landscape in a press conference that has sent shockwaves through college football. According to Sarkisian, the Texas Longhorns will not be participating in the 2025 spring football season, a move that many pundits have called “unprecedented” in the history of college football. This announcement, which left many in the football world scrambling to understand its implications, has raised more questions than answers about the future of Texas football.

Sarkisian, known for his offensive prowess and leadership ability, took to the podium to explain the reasoning behind the decision, which marks a drastic change from what is typically expected of a major program like Texas. In this deeply reflective and thought-provoking statement, Sarkisian outlined several key factors that led to this extraordinary decision. He explained that, despite the disappointment fans and players may feel, this move is ultimately for the long-term benefit of the program, its athletes, and its ability to compete at the highest level in the future.

Sarkisian’s Explanation for the Decision

The decision not to play in the spring of 2025 is one that requires careful thought and a long-term vision. According to Sarkisian, this decision comes after careful consultation with his coaching staff, administrators, and key players in the program. While Sarkisian acknowledged that spring football is an essential part of the collegiate football calendar, he emphasized that it is not always in the best interest of the program to proceed with a traditional spring campaign in certain circumstances.

Health and Wellness of Players

One of the most compelling reasons Sarkisian provided for not playing in the spring of 2025 revolves around player health and wellness. Over the past several years, college football has seen a steady increase in concerns related to player safety, particularly when it comes to the toll the sport takes on players’ bodies. Spring football is a demanding time for college athletes, with intense practices, rigorous conditioning, and little rest between the end of the previous season and the start of spring camp.

Sarkisian explained that, in consultation with medical experts, it became clear that the spring of 2025 would present an unusually high risk for injuries. He pointed to the mental and physical exhaustion players often face after a grueling fall season, followed by a condensed offseason program. Many players would be coming off a heavy workload, and rushing back into full-contact practices could result in injuries that may have long-term consequences for their careers.

“The health and safety of our players are paramount,” Sarkisian stated. “After considering the toll the sport has taken on our athletes over the years, we decided that it would be better to give our players more time to rest, recover, and recharge. We’ve seen too many injuries from players who were overworked, and we want to make sure our players are ready to compete at the highest level when it matters most. We cannot afford to risk the long-term health of our athletes for the sake of a spring season.”

By not participating in spring practice in 2025, Sarkisian and the Longhorns are prioritizing recovery, both physically and mentally. It’s clear that, in his view, this decision will set Texas up for greater success in the future. Rather than pushing players to their limits in the spring of 2025, the program is opting for a more holistic approach to player development, focusing on individual health and overall well-being.

The Impact of the Transfer Portal and Player Development

Another factor that contributed to this bold decision was the ever-evolving landscape of college football, specifically the increasing prevalence of the transfer portal. Over the last few seasons, the transfer portal has completely reshaped how college teams approach recruitment, roster management, and player development. Players have more freedom than ever before to leave a program and seek a new opportunity elsewhere, and this has put additional pressure on coaches to ensure their rosters are not only deep but constantly evolving.

Sarkisian explained that, while the transfer portal offers a great deal of flexibility, it also presents challenges for team cohesion and roster stability. Instead of focusing on a typical spring season to develop players, Sarkisian feels that the time would be better spent integrating new players from the portal into the system and ensuring they are fully prepared for the fall season. Texas, like many other programs, has seen an influx of talented players coming into the program through the transfer portal, and making sure those players are adequately developed is a priority moving forward.

“One of the challenges we face today is that every year is different,” Sarkisian said. “With the transfer portal, you have players coming and going at a faster rate than ever before. We need to ensure that those new players get the right coaching, understanding of our system, and opportunity to adjust. Rather than wasting time on spring practices that may not be effective for everyone, we want to put more focus on individualized development, particularly with the new players who are joining our program.”

Sarkisian emphasized that the development of players in the transfer portal will be a year-round process, not just confined to spring practice. He believes that by investing more time in structured offseason workouts, film study, and one-on-one coaching, the Longhorns will be able to build a more cohesive and dynamic team for the 2025 season.

Strategic Focus on Fall Camp and Recruiting

Another reason for the decision not to participate in the spring of 2025 is the desire to refocus efforts on fall camp and recruiting. For Texas to truly contend at the highest level, it must continue to recruit at an elite level, particularly as it heads into the new era of the SEC. Sarkisian understands that the program’s ability to compete against some of the top teams in the country hinges on its recruiting success.

Rather than spending resources on spring practice, Sarkisian explained that he wanted to dedicate more time to building relationships with recruits, both on the football field and in other areas of the program. This includes focusing on recruiting trips, attending high school games, and engaging with recruits and their families. The hope is that, by prioritizing recruitment, Texas will be able to strengthen its roster for the future, attracting elite talent that can carry the program back to national prominence.

“I believe that one of the keys to sustained success is recruiting,” Sarkisian said. “We need to stay ahead of the curve in recruiting, and that means dedicating time to it throughout the offseason. We’re going to focus on making sure our players, both current and future, have everything they need to succeed. I want to ensure that we continue to build relationships with the best high school and transfer portal prospects out there. For us, recruiting is as much about relationships as it is about talent.”

Sarkisian’s commitment to recruiting will be crucial as Texas moves forward, particularly as the Longhorns prepare to face tougher competition in the SEC. A strong recruiting class could help bridge the gap between where the Longhorns are now and where they want to be in the near future.

A Shift in Focus Toward Mental Health

The importance of mental health in athletics has become an increasingly discussed topic in recent years, and Sarkisian is acutely aware of the pressures that players face both on and off the field. The mental toll of college football can be immense, with players constantly under pressure to perform at their best, deal with the expectations of fans and media, and balance academics with the demands of their sport.

“Football is a game that requires not just physical strength, but mental resilience as well,” Sarkisian noted. “We need to focus on the mental health of our players. College athletes go through so much, and we want to make sure they have the support they need to stay balanced, healthy, and focused. By skipping spring practice and allowing them to have more time to focus on their mental well-being, we hope to set the foundation for their long-term success.”

Sarkisian’s decision is in alignment with the growing emphasis on mental health resources and support programs for athletes across the country. For the Longhorns, this move represents a forward-thinking approach to player development, one that recognizes the need for both mental and physical preparation.