The University of Texas Longhorns have done it again — clinching the prestigious NACDA Learfield Director’s Cup for the fourth time in five years, under the steady guidance of Athletic Director Chris Del Conte. This remarkable accomplishment confirms Texas’s position as the nation’s elite multi-sport program.
In the final tally, Texas edged out USC with 1,255.25 points to 1,253.75 — a razor-thin 1.5-point margin that underscores how every event, every finish, and every contribution mattered
The outcome hinged on the men’s outdoor track and field nationals in Eugene, Oregon; Texas A&M’s tie with USC in that meet effectively secured the Cup for the Longhorns
This marks Texas’s fourth Directors’ Cup since 2021 (2021, 2022, 2024, 2025), with only Stanford (26 wins) and North Carolina (1) having ever claimed the title before
During the 2024–25 athletic year, Texas brought home national championships in men’s swimming & diving and achieved its first-ever softball national title
Beyond that, consistency prevailed: top-tier finishes came in football (third), women’s basketball, rowing, women’s swimming & diving, and men’s tennis
These results reflect a broad-based culture of excellence — from varsity powerhouses to emerging programs.
“A United Texas is a reckoning! So proud for our coaches, students and staff! Big shoutout to our leadership … President Davis and Longhorn Nation — you make this all possible.”
He emphasized the collective effort — coaches, student-athletes, staff, and leadership — that powered this victory.
Guided Texas to three Directors’ Cups before the latest, including breaking Stanford’s decades-long reign in 2021
Overseen 15 national championships across sports during his tenure, cementing his place among the nation’s top athletic administrators .
Chaired high-profile hires (e.g., basketball coach Sean Miller), boosted NIL infrastructure, and prioritized alignment among university athletics .
Under his watch, Texas has evolved into a unified force — a high-performance powerhouse where each sport benefits from shared vision and resources.
Momentum across athletics — This isn’t a one-off; it’s a sustained campaign marked by depth and breadth.
Recruiting and funding multiplier — Wins like this enhance brand appeal, drawing elite recruits and fueling donor confidence.
SEC transition success — In their debut SEC season, Texas captured eight league titles and at least two national championships across sports .
Football: the missing piece? — Despite near-misses, Texas football remains on the cusp. With coach Steve Sarkisian and upcoming recruits like Arch Manning, many believe the team now has the potential to break through .
Can Texas make it five Cups in six years? If Del Conte’s blueprint endures — investing in coaches, athletes, and community alignment — the answer looks promising. The litmus test: can Texas convert consistency into outright dominance?
Texas’s fourth Directors’ Cup in five years is no accident — it’s a testament to visionary leadership, bottom-up excellence, and a united athletic culture. In Del Conte’s words, a united Texas is a reckoning — and the athletic world is taking notice.
Looking forward: Will Texas sustain this elite momentum? With ongoing investment and deep-seated unity, they’re positioned to do just that. On to securing even more titles in 2025–26 — across both the Directors’ Cup and, perhaps, that elusive football national championship.
