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Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian gives instruction during the team’s NCAA college football practice in Austin, Texas, Wednesday, July 30, 2025. (AP Photo\/Eric Gay)<\/p>\n
Eric Gay\/AP<\/p>\n
Being ranked No. 1<\/a> comes with responsibilities that go beyond winning or losing. Texas football coach Steve Sarkisian understands that, and he wants his players to understand it, too.<\/p>\n After celebrations by\u00a0edge rusher Colin Simmons<\/a> and running back Raleek Brown sparked controversy during last week\u2019s win over the Tennessee Volunteers, Sarkisian called on his players<\/a> to put an end to unsportsmanlike celebrations.<\/p>\n \u201cWe’ve got to do a better job of celebrating with one another,\u201d Sarkisian told reporters Monday. \u201cThe moment you start to demean the opponent, the flags come out.\u201d<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Simmons, who set a school record with 5.5 sacks, was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct<\/a> after mimicking urinating on the field.<\/p>\n Video clips of the moment went viral by halftime. Sarkisian briefly pulled Simmons from the game. The player apologized during Texas\u2019 postgame news conference.<\/p>\n ABC analyst Kirk Herbstreit blasted Simmons by calling his celebration “an absolute idiotic move” on the broadcast.<\/p>\n \u201cI do want to say I apologize for the celebration. I was definitely in that mode, feeling myself, but you know, it happens,\u201d the\u00a0Duncanville alum said.<\/p>\n In 33 games with the Longhorns, Simmons has recorded 28.5 sacks.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n On Tuesday, legendary head coach Urban Meyer weighed in on the situation.<\/p>\n \u201cIf I\u2019m the head coach and I see that kid do that, he\u2019s out. I\u2019m suspending him,\u201d Meyer said on the Triple Option podcast.<\/p>\n Brown\u2019s celebration after a fourth-quarter touchdown included wiping his hand across his crotch before falling down as if he had passed out. He was not penalized.<\/p>\n \u201cThat behavior is unacceptable. We take a lot of pride in the way we play the game,\u201d Sarkisian told reporters.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Brown is in his senior season after spending two years at USC and two at Arizona State.<\/p>\n The actions by Simmons and Brown sparked a wave of criticism of the Longhorns program<\/a> on social media. To address the criticism, Sarkisian took responsibility for setting stricter standards for his players.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n