As the Texas Longhorns football team recovers from a challenging 2024 season, head coach Steve Sarkisian has found himself at the center of criticism following a series of underwhelming performances from the team’s passing game. Despite high expectations entering the year, the Longhorns’ offense has struggled to find its rhythm, particularly in the air, leaving many fans and analysts questioning Sarkisian’s quarterback development strategy. However, the head coach is standing firm in his approach and is promising a significant overhaul of the offensive system in hopes of reclaiming Texas’ competitive edge in the Big 12 and beyond.
The Texas Longhorns entered the 2024 season with lofty aspirations, buoyed by strong recruiting classes, a deep roster, and hopes that their quarterback play would elevate them to the top of the Big 12. However, despite an experienced offensive line and a stable of talented wide receivers, Texas’ passing game has been inconsistent, with quarterback play being the most notable issue. Freshman quarterback Jackson Arnold was given the starting role at the start of the season, but he has struggled with accuracy, decision-making, and command of the offense.
Through the first half of the season, the Longhorns’ offense has ranked near the bottom of the conference in passing yards and quarterback efficiency. Arnold’s lack of progress has sparked calls for Sarkisian to make a change, and some have questioned whether the head coach’s developmental methods are flawed. Yet, Sarkisian has publicly defended his strategy, emphasizing the importance of developing quarterbacks over time, particularly under a new offensive system.
“I understand the frustration. The results haven’t been where we expected them to be,” Sarkisian said in a press conference following Texas’ latest loss. “But Jackson Arnold is a young player with immense potential, and it’s our job to nurture that. We knew coming into this season that there would be growing pains, but I believe in the foundation we’re building here, and I’m confident Jackson will turn things around.”
Sarkisian also acknowledged that the passing game has not performed as anticipated and promised significant changes moving forward. The offensive scheme, which relies on a balanced attack but leans heavily on the passing game, will undergo a reevaluation as the team prepares for the remainder of the season. Sarkisian hinted at bringing in new offensive schemes that could better utilize Arnold’s strengths and provide him with simpler reads and quicker throws.
“We’re going to take a hard look at the playbook and make adjustments,” Sarkisian stated. “It’s clear that we need to simplify things a bit and get back to basics. Jackson is a smart kid, but we need to ensure that he’s comfortable, and we need to make the game easier for him to execute. That’s the priority.”
In response to questions about his quarterback development philosophy, Sarkisian emphasized the need for patience. “Quarterbacks don’t become great overnight. It’s a process, and we’re investing in Jackson’s future, not just his present,” he explained. “We’ve seen growth from him. It’s just not showing on the stat sheet yet.”
While the Longhorns’ offensive struggles have raised doubts about Sarkisian’s ability to develop a high-powered passing attack, the head coach remains confident that his strategy will pay off in the long run. He pointed to the success of quarterbacks he’s coached in the past, such as Tua Tagovailoa at Alabama and Sam Darnold at USC, as examples of his ability to shape quarterbacks into NFL prospects.
As the Longhorns look to salvage their season and regain momentum, all eyes will remain on Sarkisian and his ability to turn around the passing game. With a challenging stretch of games ahead, the coach’s offensive overhaul will be crucial in determining whether Texas can meet the lofty expectations placed on the program at the start of the year. For now, Sarkisian’s focus remains on development and the future of his young quarterback, as he prepares the team for the
challenges ahead.
