Cooper Manning jokes about life as father of backup QB: 'Crowned prince' of parents section

Cooper Manning enjoyed parent life watching Arch Manning for Texas over the last two seasons. Although, the former wide receiver is going to be very nervous next season.

After backing up Quinn Ewers the last two seasons, Arch Manning is slated to take over as the Texas Longhorns’ starting QB in 2025. Cooper Manning is, of course, a celebrity amongst the Texas parents in the stands.

A role he definitely relished!

“(The) last couple years, it’s been pretty fun,” Cooper Manning told Dan Patrick. “I’ve kind of enjoyed just being the backup quarterback’s dad. It’s pretty delightful. I’m the crowned prince of the parent section. Do no wrong. But I think I’ll be a lot more nervous and, you know, just probably biting fingernails. and head down, but I like sitting with the parents, we have great, Texas has a great parent section. Good, family oriented group, we sit with the fans  … good group.”

While Cooper is going to be nervous watching his son next season, Arch Manning is calm, cool and collected. That’s despite former Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy expecting a Heisman from Manning in 2025.

Cooper Manning knows son Arch ready for spotlight in 2025

“Arch is a dog, man,” Worthy said. “I expect nothing less than a Heisman. … He’s gonna get [a national championship], too. To win the Heisman, you’ve got to be in that conversation.”

Over the course of two seasons, Arch Manning got on the field a lot more in 2024. Not only can he sling it, he can run around like his grandfather Archie.

Manning is 63-of-95 passing (66.3%) for 969 yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions. On the ground, he has 28 carries for 115 yards, four touchdowns and 4.1 yards per carry.

As a member of the Class of 2023, Arch Manning was a five-star-plus recruit out of New Orleans (La.) Isidore Newman, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 1 overall prospect in the state, the No. 1 quarterback in the class and the No. 1 overall prospect in the class.

Arch doesn’t necessarily want to create his own legacy like Hall of Fame uncle Peyton Manning and future Hall of Famer, his other uncle, Eli Manning.

“Yeah, I never really think about that. I’m just here to play football,” Manning said. “It’s a game I love, grew up playing. You’re out there with your friends playing every Saturday. What could get better than that? I’m not here to take someone off the throne or like I’m not worried about my legacy. I’m just worried about playing ball and winning games.”