Steve Sarkisian on heading into Year 3 at Texas: 'This team is different'

Heading into Steve Sarkisian’s third year on The 40 Acres, many Longhorns, as well as those across college football, are ready to see Texas take the next step. Based on how everything looks, though, ‘Sark seems as excited as anyone about where the program and roster is at ahead of next season.

Sarkisian spoke on what has recently changed from his arrival in Austin to now while at Big 12 Media Days. He said a big change has been their competitiveness in practice because of how they’ve recruited. In order to get better each day, he says his players are having to routinely bring their best because of who is lining up with and across from them.

“Something that, in my opinion, we’ve got now going into year three? I think we’ve got really quality competitive depth on our roster across the board,” Sarkisian said. “Our players know, when they go to practice every day, the guy in the same line as them, whether he’s behind them or in front of them, is probably as equally talented as him, if not better.”

“So now how do I continue to work to strive to be motivated to continue to get better?,” asked Sarkisian. “Because I think, when you’re surrounded by like-minded people, that’s what pushes you to become even better. Then, ultimately, when you go to practice? That the guy lining up across from you is a quality player and a quality opponent. And so, again, that’s pushing you to be the best that you can be. But that you (also) do it out of respect.”

From there, Sarkisian shared a lot of pride in how Texas’ culture has shifted over his time there. He feels that way even more so considering how organically it has come about. There has been a form of buy-in but, overall, Sarkisian thinks they’ve added to it and made it their own.

“I was talking to the team earlier today about how proud I am of the culture they’ve developed,” said Sarkisian. “It’s one thing for me to come in and have an idea of a culture. What I want it to look like and for them to buy into it. It’s another to not just buy into it but to elevate it. I think that’s what they’ve done.”

In the end, Sarkisian has noticed a high-level of focus from Texas coming into their final year in the Big 12. Considering how many view them ahead of the upcoming season, they likely sense their opportunity to compete for some big things along the way too.

That’s why, at this point, Sarkisian sees a team that’s starving in a way that has brought a different measure of focus and intensity to what Texas is doing to prepare.

“This team is different,” Sarkisian stated. “They have a different look in their eye, they look different on the hoof, they interact with one another differently.”

“I’ve used the adage (of) I feel like this team is on a mission, said Sarkisian. “That’s the approach they have every day that they show up in the facility.”