Over the past two years, on at least two occasions, I have criticized and mocked Steve Sarkisian for talking about the “culture” he was building in his program. Now that Texas has won the Big 12 and has snagged a berth in the CFP, Sarkisian should get credit for the new culture within the Texas football program that is a major factor in making those achievements possible.
My past criticisms of Sarkisian talking about culture were based on timing. I thought his discussion of culture was a substitute for winning as in, we may not be winning championships, but we have a great culture.
About 24 hours after Texas beat Oklahoma State to win the Big 12, I had a sudden realization. Along with thousands of other Texas fans I have been lamenting a mediocrity that seemed embedded in Longhorn Football for well over a decade. One of the theories for what was causing the mediocrity was that players and coaches were satisfied with just being at Texas. Players had realized their childhood dream of getting a scholarship to play for the University of Texas. Coaches had satisfied a major career ambition by landing a job with UT. It was like being a member of a very high-end country club. Just being in the club had sapped the players and coaches’ drive to be champions. In other words, Longhorn Football lacked a winning culture.
Sarkisian has recruited great talent as had Charlie Strong and Tom Herman. Mack Brown recruited great talent and won a national championship but during the last years of his tenure his program had lost its winning culture as he became as much a figurehead as a coach. Herman and Strong couldn’t revive it. Steve Sarkisian has and has a Big 12 Championship and possibly more to show for it.
My realization was that the Big 12 Championship and a berth in the CFP were earned greatly because of program culture. The thing I have been deriding Sarkisian for talking about. This reminds me of something Dizzy Dean said. “It ain’t bragging if you can do it.”
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I had a conversation this week with a reader and knowledgeable football fan, and he related to me something he recently heard on coaching. He wasn’t sure but he thought the source may have been Bobby Bowden. A coach who can turn a program around will lose big in his first year, lose close in his second year, win close in his third year, and dominate in his fourth year. Interesting if true.
Speaking of conversations, I’ve talked to three Longhorn fans who thought that Sarkisian’s game plan for the Oklahoma State game was his best since he’s been at Texas. I agree. I don’t know how it looked on television but in the stadium it looked as though Texas receivers were wide open all day.
And I don’t know how it sounded on television but in the stadium the roar of Texas fans for Arch Manning was as loud or louder than for any Texas touchdown. Seems silly to me. Maybe it was the alcohol.
Washington
The conventional wisdom going around is that Washington is the most difficult draw of the three teams Texas could have faced in playoff semifinal. I disagree. Though seeded second I think Washington is the fourth best team in the playoff Michael Penix and their passing attack notwithstanding. And I think it would be bad karma to play Alabama again this season. Go Big Blue.
That’s all for now but be alert for my Washington pregame column coming New Years Eve.
Hook ‘Em,
W.E.
Oh, man, I need TV when I got T-Rex
Growing up In Vestal, New York you can imagine the conversation this inspired.
I worry about pass defense. For many years we have had DBs who can cover but are lacking in ball skills. We need the attitude the Cowboys have, if that ball is in my vicinity, it’s as much mine as the WR’s.
I predict Texas will intercept Penix twice.
Great column, WE, and even better song selections taking us boomers (not Sooners) back to the past. I hadn’t realized the progenitor of glam rock, David Bowie, penned the song for Mott the Hoople, but you listen to All the Young Dudes, and you say, of course. A fertile period for him. Let’s hope the Horns paste a pale on Penix and the Huskies, but it’ll be a tough one.
I didn’t know untilt today that David Bowie wrote it. Here’s his rendition which is pretty great.
I https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToXGVcrgNZA
“Culture” is a fancy word for winning attitude. At some point coaches must build a team which is more than a talented roster. It requires senior leadership and the confidence gained through practice and success on the field. And it requires continuity among players and coaches. An almost impossible recipe with portal transfers, NIL and players leaving the NFL every two years. Credit Sark with creating stability, continuity and a system for getting these guys to play well together. You know there is something special when they play better and better deep into the season.
I think coaches can turn a program around a lot faster these days.