Sarkisian’s Texas Turnaround: Longhorns Blaze Path to Second Straight CFP Semifinal, Forge Big 12 Supremacy

For years, the Texas Longhorns football program sat dormant in the shadow of its storied past — flashes of promise overshadowed by inconsistent seasons and coaching changes. But under the determined and steady leadership of Steve Sarkisian, the Longhorns have thundered back to national prominence. Now, after securing back-to-back College Football Playoff semifinal appearances and a commanding Big 12 championship in 2023, it’s no longer a comeback — it’s a full-blown resurgence.

When Sarkisian arrived in Austin in January 2021, the pressure was immense. He inherited a proud program hungry for direction, yearning to escape nearly a decade of mediocrity. The expectations weren’t just to win — they were to restore the Texas standard: excellence, relevance, and dominance. Sarkisian didn’t shy away. Instead, he leaned into the challenge with a vision that emphasized culture, elite recruiting, and offensive innovation.

In 2023, the Longhorns powered through a gauntlet of competition to capture their first Big 12 title since 2009, re-establishing themselves as the top dog in the conference. That championship was more than just a trophy — it was a statement. Texas was no longer rebuilding. They had arrived.

But it didn’t end there. Sarkisian’s squad carried that momentum into the postseason, earning a coveted spot in the College Football Playoff. And now, in the 2024 season, they’ve done it again — storming through a tough schedule to lock down a second consecutive berth in the national semifinals.

Two straight CFP appearances. A Big 12 championship. National respect. For Texas fans, this is the revival they’ve been craving.

What’s perhaps most impressive is the way Sarkisian has built this new Longhorn identity. He’s blended a dynamic offense — one that torches defenses with explosive plays and precision — with a resilient, hard-hitting defense that rises in the game’s biggest moments. His background as a quarterback whisperer has paid off in a big way, as Texas signal-callers have thrived under his system, commanding games with poise and authority.

Recruiting has also been a cornerstone of Sarkisian’s success. Texas is once again a premier destination for top-tier talent, both in-state and nationally. Blue-chip prospects see Austin as the place where their NFL dreams can take root — where development, competition, and winning converge. The Longhorns’ recruiting classes have consistently ranked among the nation’s best, and the results are showing on the field.

But beyond the stats and stars, Sarkisian’s most important accomplishment may be intangible: belief. The Longhorns now carry themselves with the swagger of a contender. They expect to win. And that confidence starts with their head coach, whose steady leadership and relentless drive have changed the program’s trajectory.

Critics once questioned whether Sarkisian could shoulder the pressure of leading a powerhouse like Texas. Today, those doubts are long gone. He’s not just guiding a winning team — he’s reshaping the narrative of an entire program.

Of course, challenges still loom. The College Football Playoff semifinals are a battlefield where only the elite survive, and Texas will once again be tested against the nation’s best. But this isn’t the same Longhorns team that fans watched struggle in past decades. This team is battle-tested, confident, and built to compete on the sport’s biggest stage.

As the Longhorns prepare for their second straight playoff showdown, there’s a sense that this run is no fluke — it’s the start of something special. With Sarkisian at the helm, Texas isn’t just back. They’re here to stay.

And with the move to the SEC on the horizon, the Longhorns are poised to carry their resurgence into a new era of competition, where they’ll face the likes of Alabama, Georgia, and LSU on a regular basis. If their recent success is any indication, they won’t just survive that transition — they’ll thrive.