Steve Sarkisian Explains Texas’ New ‘NFL-Driven’ Approach After Offseason Move

In the world of college football, few programs have experienced the level of transformation and expectations that the Texas Longhorns have been subjected to in recent years. With a storied history, passionate fanbase, and an unparalleled recruiting base, Texas has always had the potential to return to the top of college football. Yet, despite this, the Longhorns have struggled to consistently compete for national championships in the last decade, leaving fans and alumni eagerly awaiting the program’s return to prominence.

Enter Steve Sarkisian.

Since Sarkisian took over as head coach of the Texas Longhorns in 2021, he has implemented a vision for the program that blends his vast coaching experience with a modern, player-centric approach to success. While his tenure has had its challenges—most notably growing pains and inconsistencies—the hiring of Sarkisian was viewed as a significant move to get the Longhorns back on track.

In the offseason of 2025, however, Sarkisian took his program in a bold new direction, unveiling a “NFL-driven” approach that he believes will take Texas to the next level and position the program as a consistent national contender. Sarkisian, who has a background as an offensive coordinator in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons and Los Angeles Rams, emphasized that this new direction is not just about improving Xs and Os on the field, but more about aligning Texas’ program with the best practices of the NFL. This shift aims to improve both player development and team execution by leveraging the very strategies and structures that have proven successful at the professional level.

Understanding the NFL-Driven Approach

The “NFL-driven” approach that Sarkisian has introduced to Texas football is a multifaceted strategy that encompasses all areas of the program, from recruiting to player development to in-game preparation. This shift draws heavily from his experiences in the NFL and aims to bring some of the most effective elements of professional football to the college game. In doing so, Sarkisian hopes to create a more professional, results-oriented culture within the Texas football program, one that will position the Longhorns for sustained success both on and off the field.

At its core, this new approach focuses on several key pillars: organizational structure, player development, high-level game preparation, and more. Here’s a breakdown of these components and how they’re being implemented at Texas.

1. Building a Professional Organizational Structure

One of the first things Sarkisian did upon taking the Texas job was to revamp the Longhorns’ organizational structure, using lessons learned from his NFL experience. NFL teams run like well-oiled machines, with clear roles and responsibilities at every level. There is a distinct hierarchy, with specialized coaching staff focusing on particular aspects of the game, ensuring that each area is given the attention it needs to succeed. Sarkisian recognized that Texas had not fully embraced a similar structure, and that was something he set out to change.

The first change was making sure that all the coaches on staff, from position coaches to coordinators, had a clear understanding of how their work fits into the larger picture. “In the NFL, everyone has a defined role, and you know what’s expected of you,” Sarkisian explained. “When I came to Texas, I wanted to make sure that our staff and players understood how their work connects to the overall vision. It’s not just about developing players in a vacuum; it’s about working cohesively toward one goal, and that’s winning.”

To this end, Sarkisian hired several assistant coaches with significant NFL experience, bringing in specialists who had worked with NFL teams or had been part of a professional football staff. This not only bolstered the coaching staff but also introduced a higher level of accountability and professionalism to the program. Sarkisian’s approach focuses on specialization and efficiency in all aspects of coaching, mirroring how NFL teams operate.

The Longhorns’ new organizational setup isn’t just about ensuring that everyone knows their role; it’s also about instilling a mindset of professionalism. Just like NFL players, Texas football players are held to extremely high standards in terms of discipline, preparation, and accountability.

2. Player Development with NFL Standards

Player development is one of the most critical areas where Sarkisian’s NFL-driven approach is making the biggest impact. In college football, player development varies widely from program to program, with some schools excelling and others struggling to elevate their athletes to their full potential. Sarkisian, drawing from his NFL experience, is implementing a more rigorous, professional development program that mirrors what NFL teams do with their young players.

“We take a holistic approach to player development here,” Sarkisian said. “It’s not just about teaching players football; it’s about preparing them for the next level, whether that’s the NFL or just becoming a better version of themselves as athletes. We’re focused on developing the mind, the body, and the skills of our players in a way that mirrors how the pros do it.”

This mindset includes a much more individualized approach to training. Each player on the roster is treated as an individual, with their strengths and weaknesses carefully assessed. Sarkisian and his coaching staff then work with each player to create a tailored development plan, much like the one used by NFL teams to help young players reach their full potential.

In addition to the traditional elements of player development, the Texas coaching staff is incorporating more film study, mental conditioning, and position-specific drills into their training regimens. This mirrors how NFL teams develop their talent, where film study and mental preparation are just as important as physical workouts. In fact, Sarkisian believes that teaching his players how to break down film and study opposing defenses (or offenses) like NFL professionals will significantly improve their in-game decision-making and overall performance.

Moreover, the NFL-driven approach emphasizes a strict focus on the long-term development of players, particularly in terms of their conditioning and skill sets. This means that players will receive elite strength and conditioning programs designed to prepare them for the physical demands of professional football. Texas has invested heavily in state-of-the-art training facilities and resources to ensure that players are on the cutting edge of athletic development.

3. High-Level Game Preparation and Strategy

In the NFL, game preparation is one of the most crucial components of a team’s success. This includes everything from studying film to creating game plans to ensuring that players know exactly what to expect from their opponents. Sarkisian’s NFL-driven approach focuses heavily on this aspect of the game, with a renewed focus on detailed game prep that mirrors the meticulous planning that takes place in professional football.

“We want our players to approach every game like NFL players approach theirs,” Sarkisian explained. “That means we focus on the details, from studying film to understanding the nuances of our opponents’ schemes. NFL teams are incredibly detailed in their approach to game prep, and that’s something we’re bringing to Texas. The goal is to leave no stone unturned when it comes to preparing for an opponent.”

To implement this, Sarkisian has integrated more in-depth film study into the team’s weekly routine. Players are given specific assignments related to film breakdown, and the coaching staff works with them to analyze tendencies, tendencies, and matchups. Instead of relying on broad concepts, Texas football players now have a more detailed understanding of how to exploit an opponent’s weaknesses.

Additionally, Texas is using more advanced technology and analytics, which are integral to NFL-level game prep. These tools are helping the team track everything from player performance to opponent tendencies to situational statistics, giving the coaching staff and players a more comprehensive view of how to attack an opponent.

4. Recruiting with NFL Insight

One of the most important aspects of Sarkisian’s NFL-driven approach is his emphasis on recruiting players who are not just good college athletes, but also potential NFL prospects. By shifting the focus of recruiting to mirror NFL standards, Sarkisian has elevated the quality of recruits Texas brings in each season.

Sarkisian’s recruiting pitch to high school players emphasizes not only Texas’ rich football history but also the development potential Texas offers. “We want to recruit players who are not just looking for a great college experience—they’re looking for a program that can help them reach the next level,” Sarkisian said. “And that means we need to recruit players who are willing to work at the same level that NFL players do.”

With a focus on developing players for the next level, Sarkisian has streamlined Texas’ recruiting process to focus more on physical and mental traits that translate to the NFL. This includes emphasizing position flexibility, football IQ, and the ability to excel in a pro-style system, both offensively and defensively.

Steve Sarkisian’s new “NFL-driven” approach marks a significant shift for the Texas Longhorns football program. With a focus on professional organizational structure, player development, high-level game preparation, and NFL-inspired recruiting, Sarkisian is setting the stage for Texas to return to national prominence. This new approach is about more than just elevating the program to the next level—it’s about building a sustainable, long-term winner that can compete with the best in college football while preparing players for the professional ranks.

As the Longhorns look to make their mark in the 2025 season and beyond, Sarkisian’s NFL-driven vision could very well be the key to unlocking Texas’ potential and returning the program to its rightful place among the elite in college football. For Sarkisian and his staff, it’s not just about winning games; it’s about preparing future NFL players and establishing a professional, championship-caliber program.