Texas coach Steve Sarkisian has created perhaps one of the most exciting and committed cultures within the Longhorns’ football program over the past three years, and his efforts now rank No. 2 in the nation. I’m getting it.
But it all stemmed from an exhaustive journey years before arriving at Forty Acres, where he faced adversity head-on many times throughout his coaching career. In October 2015, Sarkisian was fired from his head coaching position at USC due to his struggles with alcohol and headed to rehab. He eventually returned to the college football scene in 2016 when he was picked up by Nick Saban as an analyst at the University of Alabama.
Sarkisian has been open about his experiences since being hired by the Texans, recently speaking on The Jim Rome Show about how he uses his past suffering to instill the culture that fans see today. talked about.
“I think there’s a level of gratitude for the people who were lucky enough to help me through adversity. And there’s also a level of gratitude for being in the position that I’m in today. I think there is a feeling of,” Sarkisian said. “But at the same time, I think this is also an opportunity for me to be transparent and vulnerable and honest with the team. By doing that, I think it’s an opportunity for me to be transparent and vulnerable and honest with the team, and to create a path and culture where it’s OK for the team to be.” Whether it’s with me or with each other.”
.@CoachSark talks about how the adversity he faced shaped him into the person and leader he is today. pic.twitter.com/FVvKzArrIe
— Jim Rome (@jimrome) October 2, 2024
In talking with the players, it’s clear that Sarkisian’s developmental values contribute greatly to the way they treat each other and their coaches. Bonds built on mutual respect and consideration can make a huge difference in success on game day, and Sarkisian is confident his men are proving that.
“When you can be transparent and open and honest in any relationship, that’s when there’s real growth, when there’s real connection, when there’s real love. That’s what we have here. I think so.”
Now that he has bounced back from an early career setback, Sarkisian hopes to use those life lessons to serve as a role model for his team and create a safe space for others who similarly struggle to have a voice. are.
“I’ve been trying to positively change some things that happened in my life. I ended up using it to influence others, to serve others, maybe to the next person. How can we use it to help?” Sarkisian said. “We all go through something, and we may not be at a point in our lives where we don’t like where we are or are facing adversity, and it doesn’t matter in any way, shape, color, No one knows what happens because of the magnitude, but we don’t have to stay there. Real courage comes from asking for help, and I think that’s where real strength lies.”
The Longhorns went from 5-7 in Sarkisian’s first year to 12-1 last season, a feat that allowed him to create an environment based on true connection within the team. This is partly due to the fact that This year, Sarkisian aims to further establish that culture and lead the program to its first SEC championship and second College Football Playoff appearance.
