Texas football: Matthew McConaughey opens up on Steve Sarkisian hire
By John Buhler
Matthew McConaughey has some thoughts on Steve Sarkisian leading Texas football.
When Matthew McConaughey wants to give his thoughts on his beloved Texas football team and the direction the Longhorns may go under Steve Sarkisian, we are all ears.
Alright, alright, alright. . .here we go. . .
“Look, I feel good and I feel hopeful,” said McConaughey on ESPN+’s Stephen A’s World. “He obviously did great work as an OC at Alabama. He’s now stepping into the HC, which is the same but more and a different job than he had then.”
“Look, at the University of Texas, you’ve got to understand how to embrace the awesome scrutiny that comes with the stage here — as players and as coaches. The stage at the University of Texas is like no other.”
“So in that way, because it’s like no other, you actually are an underdog at UT. Now, who can shine on that stage? I want him to bring — he’s got an underdog mentality. He’s got his retribution story. He’s got his own redemption story. Well, let’s parlay and parcel that into our becoming of who our football program is right now. We want badass with character. Let’s see.”
“I’ve yet to meet him. I’m going to give him a call here, maybe this afternoon to catch up to him, because I want to explain about some things.”
“But you get handed the keys to the Ferrari at the University of Texas. So you’ve got to remember that, when you were driving to get to this position, you were grinding. You were braking late turns. Don’t start braking early now. Let’s get it on. Let’s roll.”
What are the challenges that face Steve Sarkisian as the Texas football coach?
No doubt Texas is one of the best jobs in the country. Few states are as talent-rich from a recruiting standpoint than Texas. The resources, facilities and fan base are top-notch. Again, this is a traditional power for a reason. However, there are some challenges associated with the Texas football program, ones McConaughey is well aware of. Sarkisian must be aware of them, too.
Texas plays in the same state as three other Power 5 programs, including the up-and-coming Texas A&M Aggies over in the SEC. The Longhorns’ biggest rival just so happens to be the strongest program historically in the history of the Big Eight/Big 12 in the Oklahoma Sooners. Let’s not overlook that Texas has not won a Big 12 Championship since Mack Brown was there.
Ultimately, there are a bit of unreasonable expectations in Texas. The head coach of the Longhorns is expected to win national championships, but they cannot regularly get to the Big 12 title bout for various, self-inflicted reasons. It is why Brown got run out of town, Charlie Strong failed succeeding him and Tom Herman only lasted four years in Austin. Sarkisian hopes to change that.
If Sarkisian can get on the same page as an alum like McConaughey, it will can bring Texas back.
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