Texas: Steve Sarkisian reveals firing that makes him concerned about college sports

The college sports landscape has seemingly changed thanks to the NIL and transfer portal era. While some programs are still adjusting, and other thriving, Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian opened up about the pressure to succeed being at an all-time high, and how he doesn’t feel all that comfortable with the direction college sports are heading.

When talking about the pressure of reaching the College Football Playoff, Sarkisian referenced the Penn State Nittany Lions’ firing of James Franklin as head coach in the middle of last season after leading the program to the CFP the previous year, according to Pete Nakos of On3 Sports. Although the 52-year-old coach didn’t outright name Franklin, he does believe his situation is rather daunting for college football.

“I watched a coach get fired five games into a season last year after being in the semifinals the year before,” said Sarkisian. “That’s concerning to me about the health of our sport.”

Steve Sarkisian also doesn’t appear to be a fan of how some programs push potential punishments back, either, per Nicole Auerbach of NBC Sports. Overall, between the pressure to consistently win and reach the postseason, coupled with programs having the power to essentially handle possible punishments however they want, the veteran coach sees a new world in college sports that he doesn’t seem to like.

“We’re living in a society of no fear when it comes to college athletics,” claimed Sarkisian. “If I don’t like the fact that I got caught breaking the rule… Go get a judge to say, ‘Here’s an injunction, we’ll deal with that a year from now.’ I don’t think that’s what we want.”

Texas has reached the playoffs just once since Steve Sarkisian took over as head coach in 2021. Although the Longhorns have been top contenders nearly every year under Sarkisian, the program has yet to get over the hurdle and win a national championship.