Quinn Ewers describes what makes Steve Sarkisian stand out as a person, coach

Quinn Ewers found his rhythm at Texas under head coach Steve Sarkisian during the 2023 college football season.

Taking the Longhorns to new heights in the College Football Playoff era, the chemistry between quarterback and head coach has been pivotal to that effort. During a recent appearance on ‘RGIII and The Ones,’ Ewers explained what makes Sarkisian personable while maintaining the respect of his team from a player-coach perspective.

“He’s had some tough adversity through ups and downs,” Ewers told Robert Griffin III. “I think it’s rare, but I think it’s been cool to see him just come out like, a lot better on the other end, I guess I should say, just the way that he’s able to connect with us. He talks with us all the time about kind of what he’s been through and we can kind of lean on him when we’re going through things because he allows that. It’s just cool to see a head coach act the way that he does on like a player to coach level.”

The duo’s chemistry off the field quickly translated to success on Saturday’s last season. Texas finished 12-2 last season, winning the Big 12 Championship in its final year in the conference and making it to the College Football Playoffs for the first time in program history.

For Ewers, he finished his sophomore year with career-highs across the board. Completing 69 percent (272-394) of his passes, Ewers threw for 3,479 yards and 22 touchdowns compared to six interceptions.

With that success, Ewers feels as though there is no better place for a college quarterback to play. Between Sarkisian’s playing days at BYU and into professional football before moving into the coaching world, the Texas headman has a lengthy and successful resume when it comes to being a quarterback and coaching them, too.

“Most guys would not want to talk about their past and I think he’s comfortable in his own shoes and in his own skin that he can share those things,” Ewers continued. “And I think that just brings the whole team closer. We’re like, ‘Okay, our coach isn’t perfect.’ I think that allows us to have no fear of failure on the field and off the field.”

Texas’ quarterbacks will keep that in mind as they lead the Longhorns into the SEC this fall. Matchups against Oklahoma, Georgia, Florida, Texas A&M — including a non-conference matchup against the reigning national champion Michigan Wolverines, Texas will have its hands full in its first year in the SEC.