What Sets Steve Sarkisian Apart From Other College Football Coaches

After the Texas Longhorns fired head coach Tom Herman in 2020, they knew they needed a quality replacement that would keep the Burnt Orange in the top level of the college football world as they continued to trend upward towards a national championship.

On January 2, 2021, they landed that quality replacement in spades when they landed then Alabama Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, who hadn't held a head coaching gig since the 2015 season with the USC Trojans.

He probably had to dust off a few of his head coaching philosophies when he made the move to Austin, but everyone should be able to agree that he and the Texas program have prospered greatly with his leadership.

The Uniqueness of Steve Sarksian

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian is interviewed by the media after the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger Field. | Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

As the Horns get set to begin their sixth season under Sarkisian's leadership, let's take a look at some qualities that make "Sark" one of college football's best.

Offensive Creativity

If play designing were an Olympic sport, Sarkisian would win gold every single time. The pre-snap motion and disguises create heavy mismatches.

The biggest case in point in this situation was the screen pass to wide receiver Ryan Wingo against the Vanderbilt Commodores last season to open the game, which resulted in Wingo putting the Horns on the board with a 75-yard score.

Sarkisian's plan helped confuse Clark Lea's defense, and Wingo and Arch Manning took full advantage of it on the field.

The system Sarkisian runs mirrors that of an NFL team with the tempo and spacing of a college football program.

Quarterback Development

And we're not just talking Arch Manning or Quinn Ewers; we're talking about players like Matt Barkley when Sarkisian was with the USC Trojans in the early 2000s.

Using his experience as a quarterback with the BYU Cougars, as well as his time with the Alabama Crimson Tide under Nick Saban, Sarkisian has implemented professional-level decision-making, timing, and efficiency, not just your regular case of talent under center.

Need more examples? Look no further than Tua Tagovailoa, Jalen Hurts, or Mac Jones during their time in Tuscaloosa.

Personal Growth/Better Perspective

This part isn't talked about a lot with Sarkisian, but it is just as crucial as the other points.

After undergoing a few struggles earlier in his career, the head coach has rebuilt himself quite well personally and professionally, with more consistent and better leadership under pressure, and taking a stronger sense of accountability within the program.

He's been through adversity and has adjusted. Players look up to coaches like that, especially early in life.

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