Just a week ago, Steve Sarkisian was riding high with Texas ranked No. 1 in the country and looking like a lock for the College Football Playoff. Fast forward to Saturday, and the Longhorns' faithful are calling for his head after a stunning 27-24 home loss to Florida — a game where Texas blew a 17-3 lead.
The loss comes on the heels of a heartbreaking 27-24 defeat to Oklahoma in the Red River Shootout, a game that itself raised eyebrows. Now, with two consecutive losses, the Longhorns' season is on life support, and fans are pointing fingers squarely at their head coach.
Offense Stalls, Fans Boil
Saturday's game was a microcosm of Texas's recent struggles. The offense, which had been explosive early in the season, looked lifeless. Arch Manning, the quarterback who had been hyped as the next big thing, managed just 68 passing yards in the first half. The passing game was nonexistent, and the play-calling left fans scratching their heads.
“Steve Sarkisian is the biggest joke of a coach in college football,” one fan fumed on social media. “Absolutely single handedly ruining this program. Best roster we've maybe ever had…. and this is what we're dealing with.”
Another fan lamented, “I used to think Sark would beat less talented teams due to shear talent disparity amongst the other teams. The games we lost were due to a better coach beating us with equal talent. Now, I know Sark just gets out-coached weekly.”
Fans Call for Immediate Change
The chorus of criticism has grown so loud that some are even calling for a mid-season firing. “Steve Sarkisian should be fired,” one fan posted. “Please get rid of Steve Sarkisian,” another wrote. “He is the biggest fraud in the country.”
However, firing Sarkisian won't be cheap. According to On3, Texas would owe him a whopping $36.5 million if they were to part ways. While the Longhorns' athletic department has deep pockets, making a change mid-season would be a drastic step.
Still, the frustration is palpable, and the pressure on Sarkisian is mounting. The Longhorns' roster is loaded with talent — arguably the best in the nation — and yet they're sitting at 5-2 with a 2-2 record in SEC play. The costly interception by Arch Manning in the Oklahoma loss was a turning point, and the Florida collapse has only deepened the wounds.
Playoff Hopes Not Dead Yet
Despite the chaos, Texas isn't mathematically out of the playoff picture. If they were to win out, they could still sneak into the postseason. But that's a big if, given the current trajectory. The Longhorns face a brutal schedule ahead, and fans are losing patience.
Some are already looking ahead to potential replacements, while others are simply hoping for a turnaround. The postgame comments from Sarkisian haven't helped matters, with some fans accusing him of not being honest about the team's issues.
Meanwhile, the Week 7 college football slate is packed with ranked showdowns, and Texas's struggles are becoming a national talking point. The Longhorns' next game is a must-win, and the pressure has never been higher on Sarkisian.
Whether Texas will pull the trigger on a massive buyout remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the fan base has lost faith in their coach. The question now is whether Sarkisian can win back their trust — or if his tenure in Austin is already doomed.
