Why the Next Season is Putting So Much Pressure on Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns

The 2024 season is shaping up to be a defining moment for Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns. Sarkisian, entering his third season as Texas’ head coach, is under considerable pressure to deliver tangible success, especially with the program transitioning into a new phase with the team’s move to the SEC. The Longhorns have long been a prestigious program, but the past decade has been marred by mediocrity and inconsistency. Now, with a strong foundation in place, the time has come for Sarkisian to deliver results on the field, and the expectations surrounding Texas have never been higher.

As the 2024 season approaches, the Longhorns are facing a confluence of factors that are ramping up the pressure on Sarkisian and his coaching staff. From fan expectations to recruiting momentum, and from the looming SEC move to the changing landscape of college football, everything is pointing toward this upcoming season as a crucial juncture in the program’s history. Here’s why the 2024 season is so important for Sarkisian and Texas.

1. The SEC Transition and Texas’ Future in the Conference

Perhaps the most obvious factor contributing to the pressure on Sarkisian is the looming move to the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in 2024. For years, Texas has been a dominant force in the Big 12, but the decision to join the SEC represents a bold and significant shift that will bring new challenges. While Texas has always recruited at a high level, the SEC is widely regarded as the most competitive and physically demanding conference in college football. The Longhorns will now have to face powerhouses like Alabama, Georgia, LSU, and Auburn week in and week out.

For Sarkisian, this presents a unique set of challenges. Not only must he continue to develop Texas into a consistent contender in the Big 12, but he must also prove that the program can compete at a high level in the SEC. The move to the SEC is expected to elevate the overall competition, and for Texas, the pressure will be on Sarkisian to adapt quickly to the heightened level of play.

Fans and alumni are already expecting Texas to be a formidable force in the SEC, and there’s little patience for a slow transition. Sarkisian will need to prove that his offensive philosophy and recruiting prowess are up to the task of competing with the top teams in the SEC. The Longhorns’ entry into the SEC makes the 2024 season even more pivotal—Texas will want to show early on that they belong, and that starts with Sarkisian’s leadership.

2. Expectations for a Playoff Contender

Another major source of pressure for Sarkisian is the heightened expectation that Texas should contend for a College Football Playoff (CFP) berth in 2024. With the Longhorns bringing in a talented roster and Sarkisian’s offensive schemes showing promise, there’s no reason Texas fans shouldn’t expect to be in the mix for a playoff spot. In fact, some may argue that anything less than a CFP appearance would be considered a failure.

The 2023 season saw significant growth for Texas, with the Longhorns showing they could compete with the top programs in the country. The Longhorns had notable wins, including a statement victory over Alabama. However, Sarkisian’s team still fell short of winning the Big 12 and earning a spot in the CFP. Now, with a roster that includes one of the top quarterbacks in college football, Quinn Ewers, and a strong collection of skill players, Texas is poised to be a legitimate contender. The Longhorns are expected to enter the season ranked highly, and with the right mix of talent and experience, a berth in the CFP is very much within reach.

This expectation increases the pressure on Sarkisian to deliver results. With a high-profile quarterback like Ewers, coupled with one of the nation’s best running backs in Jonathan Brooks, Texas has the offensive firepower to compete with the best of them. Sarkisian’s playcalling, which has been lauded for its creativity and explosiveness, will need to be sharp and consistent all season long. The Longhorns have shown glimpses of greatness, but it’s time to put everything together and make a run at a national championship. Anything less will likely be seen as a disappointment.

3. Recruiting Momentum and Keeping Up with National Powers

Sarkisian’s success on the recruiting trail has been one of the most exciting aspects of his tenure at Texas. His ability to secure top-tier recruits has been a key reason why the Longhorns are poised to return to prominence. Texas has already landed several high-profile players in recent recruiting cycles, and many of these recruits are expected to play pivotal roles in 2024. But with the influx of talent, there’s an undeniable sense of urgency: Sarkisian must continue to build on this momentum and produce results, especially as national recruiting battles intensify.

The SEC move puts even more emphasis on the importance of recruiting. The Longhorns need to have elite players on both sides of the ball to compete with SEC heavyweights. Sarkisian must not only maintain but also elevate the program’s recruiting classes. With high expectations for the 2024 season, any perceived stagnation in recruiting would hurt Texas’ long-term prospects. The 2024 season serves as a litmus test for Sarkisian’s ability to turn his recruiting success into actual on-field victories.

Moreover, Texas is competing with some of the top programs in the nation for recruits, including Georgia, Alabama, and Ohio State. The competition is fierce, and if Sarkisian doesn’t deliver strong performances on the field, the recruiting momentum could falter. To continue building a roster capable of competing with the elite programs, Sarkisian must show that Texas is not just a destination for recruits but a program that can consistently win on the biggest stages.

4. The Importance of Quarterback Play

There is perhaps no single position that will be under more scrutiny than quarterback. Quinn Ewers, once a highly touted recruit, has shown flashes of brilliance but has yet to put together a complete season of elite play. Ewers’ development will be key to Texas’ success in 2024. With the pressure mounting on Sarkisian to deliver results, his ability to coach and develop Ewers will be one of the most scrutinized aspects of his tenure.

Ewers has the talent to be one of the best quarterbacks in the country, but his inconsistency has been a concern. Sarkisian, known for his work with quarterbacks, will need to ensure that Ewers is mentally and physically prepared to lead the Longhorns to a playoff berth. His performance will be the key to unlocking the full potential of Texas’ offense. The pressure is not just on Ewers to perform; it’s on Sarkisian to maximize Ewers’ abilities and ensure that he avoids the mistakes that have plagued the quarterback in the past.

If Sarkisian can get Ewers to take the next step, the Texas offense will be a force to be reckoned with. However, if Ewers continues to struggle with consistency, it could undermine the Longhorns’ playoff aspirations and put more pressure on Sarkisian’s coaching ability.

5. Fan Expectations and the Need for Long-Term Success

Texas fans are some of the most passionate in college football, and their expectations are through the roof. The program’s rich history, combined with Sarkisian’s early success, has created an environment where anything less than a national championship is considered a disappointment. Fans are no longer satisfied with just a solid season—they want titles, and they want them now.

The pressure on Sarkisian will be amplified by the fact that Texas is in a “win now” mode. After years of mediocrity, the Longhorns have invested heavily in Sarkisian, and the administration expects results. Texas has not won a national championship since 2005, and fans are hungry for a return to prominence. With so much talent on the roster and an opportunity to compete in the SEC, the expectations have never been higher.

Sarkisian has already shown that he can recruit and build a competitive team, but translating that success into championships is another matter entirely. He must prove that he can take the next step and lead Texas to the pinnacle of college football. The pressure on him will only continue to increase as the season unfolds, and the Longhorns’ success or failure will be directly tied to his ability to execute and perform under pressure.

6. The Changing Landscape of College Football

Finally, the pressure on Sarkisian and Texas is compounded by the rapidly changing landscape of college football. The expanding influence of the SEC, the ever-evolving landscape of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals, and the impending changes in the College Football Playoff system all add complexity to the situation. The landscape of college football is more competitive than ever, and programs that fail to keep up with these changes risk being left behind.

As the college football world evolves, Sarkisian must adapt to new challenges and opportunities. The pressure is on him to make the most of Texas’ resources and navigate these changes effectively, all while competing with the elite programs in the sport.

The 2024 Season as a Defining Moment

The 2024 season is undeniably a defining moment for Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns. From the looming SEC transition to the expectations of competing for a playoff berth, everything is lining up for a high-stakes year. Sarkisian’s ability to deliver results on the field, develop his quarterback, maintain recruiting momentum, and adapt to the challenges of the SEC will be under intense scrutiny.

As the Longhorns aim to restore their place among college football’s elite, the pressure on Sarkisian to deliver a championship-caliber team is immense. The 2024 season is a crucial test for both Sarkisian and Texas, and how they respond to these pressures will likely define the future trajectory of the program.