Programs that want to succeed in the age of transfer portals simply need to adapt to changing times, and Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian is well aware of that fact.
The Longhorns have been fairly successful in their transfer portals, landing several key contributors each year, adding more than they generally lose. At least according to Sarkisian, the reason for its success is the culture that players want to participate.
“We tried to create an environment that is fair,” Sarkisian said on Sirius XM. “I’m not going to sit here and say that our guys don’t have nil, I’m not going to do… but the point is, we try to be fair, we honestly, we try to be transparent.
“The standard is the standard, and if you don’t meet that standard, it’s our responsibility to let you know, and if you’re above the standard, it’s our responsibility to let you know, and it’s our responsibility to let you know, as a team, as an individual player in the program. You do well, so I think we’ve created an environment where we really want to be here.
Of course, strong cultures are only part of the equation. The Longhorns are one of the favourites of national titles after they reached the college football playoff semi-finals over the past two years, and all those on the same page will only help them achieve that goal.
“They are working towards a common goal,” Sarkisian said. “When we mentioned opening the day the portal opened, we didn’t have anyone in before it opened. I said that no one wanted to leave.
“Really, I know that a lot of programs are trying to create space and move players. I said, I said, I hope no one else wants to leave. We hope that we created an environment for you for you that makes it really hard for you to want to leave.
Sarkisian did an incredible job of bringing Longhorn back to national prominence after more than a decade of darkness, especially during such a dramatic period of change for sports. He should continue to build and improve the foundation set up as he pursues the championship.
