Early in Steve Sarkisian’s time in Austin, Texas flipped a switch. The Longhorns head coach delved into the program’s turning point on the Late Kick with Josh Pate.
Sarkisian discussed the toll the 2021 season took on his team. At one point, former Texas running back Roschon Johnson had enough of losing. According to his coach, an impassioned speech turned the tide and bled into an improved football team the following season. He discussed what Johnson’s speech did for his confidence in the program.
“At that point, you could feel a shift. Like no longer was it just me trying to say what we needed to be. The players started to speak it.”
The Texas head coach claims his team has several leaders, perhaps as an outgrowth of Johnson’s emergence in 2021. Now, Longhorns players hold each other to the standard.
Last season, the team made a three-win improvement. The precedent is there for year-to-year growth. Texas looks to take the next step to a 10-win season.