Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian has come under fire for the team’s lackluster offense, which is unable to sustain drives and finish in the red zone.
People around college football have questioned whether Sarkisian, the current play-caller on offense, should continue running that side of the ball or if he should delegate to another staff member.
More news: College Football Program Earns Top 10 Ranking for First Time Since 1947
Sarkisian was the offensive coordinator at Alabama before joining Texas as the lead man, cutting his teeth through offensive play design.
Sarkisian has succeed at Texas thus far, raising the program up and establishing it as a powerhouse once again. His biggest feat as a recruiter came when he landed five-star quarterback Arch Manning, a generational talent who was expected to take college football by storm.
This season was Manning’s first as a starter, though it has been full of struggles overall. Texas ranks 77th in the nation in passing offense, 79th in total offense and scoring offense, and 88th in third down conversions, according to ESPN.
Despite the results this season, Sarkisian is intent on calling plays for the offense.
“That’s why I got hired,” Sarkisian stated. “I was a really good offensive coordinator. I believe in what we’re able to do. Every year, we have to continually evolve. There’s going to be years where we’re better on offense than we our on defense.
“There’s going to be years where we’re better on defense than we our on offense.
“It’s like, if I was the best outside sales guy and I had a start-up company, surely I’m going to go to the sales meetings if I’m trying to sell something. If that’s one of your strengths — I’m always going to tap in to the strengths that I have. Being a play-caller on offense is one of my strengths. Some may disagree, and that’s okay.”
While he is not willing to change who makes the offensive decisions, the former USC coach is focused on examining his mistakes and acknowledes that he has to be better.
“I’ve got to do a better job,” Sarkisian added. “I look in the mirror first.”
Manning, for his part, has looked shaky when making reads on offense, though he is often running away from pass rushers who are breathing down his neck.
Sarkasian needs to account for his poor offensive line, and help Manning settle down when reading the defense. Unless they improve quickly, this season may be lost for Texas. However, if it leads to a better Arch Manning, it could be for the best long-term.