Steve Sarkisian addresses looming portal decisions, sends clear message to players debating future

The one-time transfer rule and the frequency of players entering the transfer portal have changed how coaches manage rosters completely. They’re adding a lot of players with college experience, while also losing players for numerous reasons. Even a well-regarded coach like Steve Sarkisian at a power program like Texas is dealing with these changes.

While speaking to the media, Steve Sarkisian was asked about how he’s going to handle players making decisions about the transfer portal, as the date to enter looms following the season.

“I think two things,” Steve Sarkisian said. “One, I won’t have any of those discussions until our regular season is done.”

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“So, we’ll find out Saturday at about 10:30 if we’re done, or if we have one more regular season game. We’ll see. So, that will depend on how that goes,” Steve Sarkisian explained.

Texas is still alive for the Big 12 Championship Game. However, they’ll need to win and get help in the form of a Kansas State loss to get into the game. This would then extend the Longhorns’ season.

“The ultimate decision is this. If a young man wants to be at the University of Texas, that’s who we want to be here, playing football for us. If they’re wondering should I, should not, maybe the grass is greener somewhere else, this probably isn’t the place for you because ultimately you have to be fully invested into this thing to get the results out of it that you’re looking for. And, if you’re not, it’s going to be too hard,” Steve Sarkisian explained.

“So, that’s going to be my discussion with everybody. It’s about, hey, if this is somewhere you want to be and you’re willing to put forth the effort and the energy needed to make that happen, come on. If, you’re wondering about it. If you’ve got one foot in, it’s probably better to take the other step and move on. That’s just the nature of it, and there’s no ill will toward that, but that’s the environment of college football today.”

That’s a pretty clear message from Steve Sarkisian. You’re either in or you’re out. That’s the new reality of the sport and it’s one that coaches are needing to embrace.

“That’s the reality that we’re in. So, we can embrace it or we can continue to fight it, and I’m of the mindset that you might as well embrace where we’re at. I reference this line a lot, adapt or die,” Steve Sarkisian explained. There’s a reason dinosaurs aren’t here anymore. They couldn’t adapt. So, we have to adapt with the times. The transfer portal is a real thing, and so you have to manage it accordingly. Just like you do recruiting, NIL, or anything else that comes up.”

Steve Sarkisian on the possibility of an offseason QB competition

Texas has had a lot of success bringing in talented quarterbacks who want to play for Steve Sarkisian. That means that next season, both Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning are going to be in the quarterback room, opening up the chance for a QB competition.

“Like every year we’ll go into the offseason and wipe the slate clean and let these guys compete and battle and see what it looks like, because that’s what makes us better. Ultimately when other guys are working at their craft, that should motivate us to want to continue to improve our game,” Steve Sarkisian said.

“And that would be no different than any other position. We have to give everybody those opportunities or we’re not living up to the idea that we’re a developmental program. If you don’t give guys the opportunity to develop and then show what they’re capable of, then I’m speaking out of both sides of my mouth, and that’s not right.”