Steve Sarkisian, the new Longhorns coach, stated that he is aware of the Longhorns being a target for opposition fans in his first news conference since Texas announced its move to the SEC.Sarkisian stated, "I didn’t accept this job blindly." We're everyone's biggest team. Our bull's-eye has gotten a lot bigger after [the SEC move] as well as the discussion about what's occurred. This is something we can't afford to be ignorant of. All those little things, no matter how loud they are, don't affect our ability to perform and succeed at a high level.Sarkisian stated that he is aware of how difficult it is to manage the excitement from his fans and the SEC during conversations with potential recruits. He said that he must balance the need to look forward and the needs of the team, after Texas and the SEC officials made public statements about the move not happening until 2025.Sarkisian stated that there is still a lot to do in the Big 12 and that they need to take care of it. This year is the beginning of it. This is where we should be focusing. It's not clear what the other thing will look like. We're playing Louisiana Sept. 4, and it's very difficult for us to play on the Big 12 schedule.Sarkisian spoke to reporters about the state of his team with fall camp beginning Saturday. Although he acknowledged that spring practices were not enough to determine a quarterback for the race between Hudson Card and Casey Thompson, he said that both are capable and that he will need both QBs throughout the season.He said, "I'm really trying find the complete player." It's our responsibility to develop the whole player. But, it's also important to find someone who is comfortable playing this style of play.Sarkisian will be his third time as a head coach. He has a 46-35 record in Washington and USC. According to Sarkisian, the four seasons he spent as the offensive coordinator for both the Atlanta Falcons (and Alabama) and playing in college national championship games have helped him feel at ease.Sarkisian stated that he is in a "much different space" and is more peaceful, consistent, and at peace. "I have been able to sort of recalibrate myself and adjust myself over the time that I was a coach to where I am now. There's more calm, there is more peace, and more clarity. I feel very comfortable in the arena and confident in our approach to what is being done.Sarkisian stated that 90% of Longhorns have been vaccinated, and that they are focused on being vigilant for the 40,000 students who will soon return to campus.He said, "Hopefully, it's possible to keep getting closer to 100% because invariably, we all just want to protect each other."According to him, the only two players who are in good health (running back Gabriel Watson and linebacker Ben Davis), were being kept back to track their recovery from injuries. He said that the team is fully healthy.Sarkisian is eager to get ready for camp, as it opens. The first game against Louisiana will be played in Ames, Iowa State's opening match of the season. Sarkisian believes that the Longhorns are capable of contending, with Oklahoma having won its sixth consecutive Big 12 title.He said, "I believe we're enough talented to compete for the championship." "What I have to ask is: Are we playing at the level necessary to compete for a championship?" While there are many factors that go into this, I believe that we have the talent and the depth to accomplish it.
