Texas coach Steve Sarkisian hits hot topics at THSCA Convention
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian was in Houston for the opening of the Texas High School Coaches Association convention on Sunday. Sarkisian hit on a number of topics including Texas high school football, his team in 2023, and the move to the Southeastern Conference in 2024.
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Sarkisian knows as the coach at the flagship program in the Lone Star State that connecting with the high schools coaches is imperative to the success of the UT program.
“In reality, Texas high school football and their coaches do a great job of creating a platform for our coaches to recruit their players,” said Sarkisian. “They are so impactful for what we do.”
Sarkisian admits the coaching and competition in Texas remains one of the most fierce in the industry.
“The coaching is incredible, the competition is incredible,” said Sarkisian. “It’s across the board. It’s not just teams playing for state championships. These guys work.”
The Texas coach spoke about where his team is at in 2023 and how he’s noticing the differences between last year and this upcoming season, including the squad’s football IQ.
“The fact that our players are talking about football means we are making an impact,” said Sarkisian. “They aren’t talking about a football game. They are talking about 3rd and 4 or fourth down scenarios.”
The Longhorns have a ton of talent returning on this year’s team, and Sarkisian was asked about his Freshman All-All-American left tackle Kelvin Banks.
“He went against Will Anderson (third overall pick), Tyree Wilson (seventh overall pick), Felix Anudike-Uzomah (Big 12 DPoY) and Will McDonald IV (15th overall pick),” Sarkisian said. “He gave up zero sacks. He went against four first round picks at defensive end. He gave up zero sacks. He’s got elite talent and ability and the maturity it takes.”
It wouldn’t be a media availability if Sarkisian wasn’t asked about the Longhorns impending move to the SEC. He’s been consistent in his approach to the subject, because he wants the team to focus on the present, which includes the last season in the Big 12 conference.
“How do we build a roster to beat those teams,” asked Sarkisian. “You have to be big up front and you have to have speed on the perimeter. We’ve been recruiting that way since I got here.”
After inking a pair of top five classes over the last two cycles, Sarkisian is doing just that and building a roster that’ll be ready to compete in the SEC in 2024. But for now, it’s still about 2023 and the task at hand.
Sarkisian makes it a yearly ritual to hangout at the THSCA Convention as he continues to build relationships with coaches and players across the state.
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