Megan Turner
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First-year Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian brings more than just experience to Austin — he brings Saban-level knowledge and may have brought knowledge of the potential conference shakeup before he took the job.
As Texas appears to be on the verge of moving from the Big 12 to the SEC, questions have been raised of whether the new head coach knew about the possible shakeup before heading to Texas.
Austin American-Statesman’s Kirk Bohls said Friday that a Big 12 source told him Texas and Oklahoma have been discussing a move to the SEC for “a minimum of six months.”
Looking back at the announcement of Sark’s hiring on Jan. 2, it seems as though the talks began either before or around the same time Texas was working out a deal with Sarkisian.
Sarkisian became the new head coach for the Longhorns after Tom Herman was out after four seasons. Sark stayed with his former team, the Alabama Crimson Tide, through the national title game, OutKick previously reported.
Larry Brown Sports reports that Texas is one of the most prestigious jobs in the country, with or without the SEC. The Longhorns have a massive fanbase, winning tradition, and financial resources.
But Texas state lawmakers have voiced concerns to Gov. Greg Abbott about the Texas Longhorns leaving the Big 12, and drafted a bill requiring legislative approval of conference realignment.
“The lack of transparency by our flagship institution is wrong,” Rep. Jeff Leach (R-Plano) said. “Such a monumental economic and educational decision impacting the entire state must not be made in a bubble on the forty acres. Working on legislation requiring legislative approval for UT to bolt the BIG XII.”
Sark probably would have taken the Texas job regardless, but knowing about the potential conference shakeup may have made the position that much more appealing, Larry Brown Sports reports. What do you think?
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Follow Meg Turner on Twitter @Megnturner_ and Instagram @Megnturner.
I’ve lived in Texas a very long time. I’m a graduate of an SEC school NOT named Texas A&M.
I’ve watched TU decide that the SWC had reached it’s end. TU has pressured the Big 12(10) into creating a penalty for the horns down hand gesture. The Big 12 is TU’s bitch.
Well, not to nitpick with someone that has lived in Texas a long time, but…it’s UT not TU. The University of Texas, not Texas University.
This is the least surprising thing I’ve seen all year.
I’m not sure why this is news. They probably would of told him, they should have i would think. I mean, it’s a very important bit of info regarding competition.
This isn’t a scandal from Sarkisian’s knowledge of possible deal. It may have been between coach and school if they didn’t inform him.
“The Longhorns have a massive fanbase, winning tradition, and financial resources…[and a plethora of 7-5 seasons over the last 15 years].” There fixed that line for you. Horns Down Forever fucking douche bags.
Oh and another thing, let’s hope Sark can stay sober with all that pressure. Low blow I know but celebrating the guy who couldn’t handle USC level pressure, where maybe the stadium is half full in a good year vs. the immense pressure from the delusional UT fans. Good luck with that!
It was reported while at USC he’d stay in his office drinking all hours of the night. Now working under Saban there was no chance of that happening. Not to mention there’s a huge difference living in Tuscaloosa and Austin.
Agreed.