Despite $331.9 million in revenue, Texas is still haunted by Steve Sarkisian’s Cotton Bowl nightmare, with critics tearing down the Longhorns.

The Haunting of Steve Sarkisian’s Cotton Bowl Nightmare: A Look at Texas Longhorns’ Struggles and Criticism

In the world of college football, the Texas Longhorns are no strangers to lofty expectations. With a rich history that includes multiple national championships, a vast recruiting base, and resources rivaling the best programs in the nation, Texas has long been considered a blue-blood program. Yet, despite all the advantages, the Longhorns have struggled to consistently live up to those expectations in recent years.

In particular, the 2024 Cotton Bowl left fans and pundits alike questioning the trajectory of Steve Sarkisian’s tenure as head coach. Despite bringing in an impressive $331.9 million in revenue, the performance of the team during the bowl game stood as a glaring reminder that talent alone does not always translate into success. And for a program like Texas, with its storied legacy and enormous ambitions, this particular loss stung much more deeply than most.

The Longhorns entered the 2024 Cotton Bowl with high hopes. Coming off a promising season in the Big 12, Texas was viewed by many as one of the top teams in college football. Head coach Steve Sarkisian, in his third year at the helm, had made significant strides in recruiting and had developed a potent offense led by standout players such as quarterback Quinn Ewers and running back Bijan Robinson. There was palpable excitement surrounding the team as they prepared for their Cotton Bowl matchup against an elite SEC opponent.

However, what followed was a disaster on the field. Texas, which had shown so much promise during the regular season, was blown out in a humiliating 38-13 defeat. The game saw the Longhorns fail to execute offensively, struggle on defense, and show a lack of mental toughness when the pressure mounted. The Cotton Bowl performance highlighted many of the flaws that had plagued the Longhorns throughout Sarkisian’s tenure: inconsistency, undisciplined play, and an inability to close out big games.

The loss sent shockwaves throughout the Texas fanbase. Critics immediately pointed to Sarkisian’s inability to get his team prepared for a high-profile bowl game as a key factor in the defeat. While Sarkisian had made progress in terms of developing a competitive roster, his inability to win a significant postseason game raised doubts about his ability to take the program to the next level. In a program as proud as Texas, a loss like that is not just a disappointment; it’s a wake-up call.

The Curse of Expectations

For Texas, the Cotton Bowl disaster is the latest chapter in a long history of unfulfilled expectations. The Longhorns have experienced periods of success—most notably under coaches like Mack Brown—but the last decade has been marked by inconsistency, turmoil, and a series of coaching changes. Texas fans have grown accustomed to having their hopes dashed year after year, as the team has failed to live up to its potential.

Under Sarkisian, the narrative seemed different. After his appointment in 2021, many believed that the former Alabama offensive coordinator had the tools to return Texas to prominence. The expectation was that Sarkisian’s offensive prowess and recruiting acumen would be the catalysts for the Longhorns’ resurgence. However, these lofty expectations have proven to be a double-edged sword, as the weight of them has only amplified the sting of failure.

Sarkisian’s first two seasons at Texas were a mixed bag. While he had moments of brilliance, including a signature win over Georgia in the 2022 Sugar Bowl, his tenure was also marked by frustrating losses. Whether it was a blown lead against Oklahoma State or a crushing defeat to archrival Oklahoma, the Longhorns never seemed to be able to put everything together for an entire season.

The 2024 Cotton Bowl felt like the culmination of all those frustrations. It was a game that represented everything wrong with Texas football under Sarkisian: a lack of preparation, poor execution, and a failure to rise to the occasion in a big moment. For Texas fans, the pain was amplified by the knowledge that the Longhorns had all the resources and talent to be competitive on a national scale but continued to fall short when it mattered most.

Criticism of Steve Sarkisian

Steve Sarkisian’s critics wasted no time in tearing down his performance following the Cotton Bowl. The loss raised serious questions about his ability to lead Texas to the level of success that fans and alumni expect. While some were willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, pointing to the program’s overall progress during his tenure, others saw the Cotton Bowl defeat as a damning indictment of his coaching ability.

One of the most vocal criticisms of Sarkisian has been his inability to develop consistent quarterback play. Despite having a highly regarded signal-caller in Quinn Ewers, the Longhorns’ offense was wildly inconsistent at times during the season, and the Cotton Bowl was no exception. Ewers, who had shown flashes of brilliance throughout the season, struggled mightily in the loss, failing to lead his team on sustained drives and making critical mistakes.

In college football, the quarterback is often seen as the barometer for a program’s success, and Sarkisian’s inability to get the best out of his quarterbacks has raised concerns about his offensive philosophy. Critics argue that Sarkisian’s reliance on a pass-heavy attack, without a sufficient balance in the run game, makes his offense one-dimensional and easy to defend. Against a top-tier SEC defense in the Cotton Bowl, that vulnerability was exposed.

Additionally, Sarkisian’s reputation as a “player’s coach” has been both a strength and a weakness. While players generally respect him and appreciate his approach, some have questioned whether he is able to command the respect of the entire roster, particularly in high-pressure situations. The Cotton Bowl was a perfect example of a team that seemed ill-prepared mentally and lacked the focus needed to perform at a high level on a national stage.

The Bigger Picture: What’s Next for Texas?

As much as the loss in the Cotton Bowl stung, it is important to consider the bigger picture when evaluating Steve Sarkisian’s tenure at Texas. The program is undoubtedly in a better place than it was when he took over, with improvements in recruiting and player development. The Longhorns have the talent to compete with the best teams in the country, but they have yet to prove they can consistently deliver when the stakes are highest.

The question that now looms over Sarkisian’s future at Texas is whether he can make the necessary adjustments to elevate the program. The Longhorns have the resources, the facilities, and the fan support to be a perennial contender, but the time for talk is running out. Texas fans expect championships, not just competitive teams, and the Cotton Bowl loss underscored that reality.

Moving forward, Sarkisian will need to address several key areas if he is to turn the program around. First, he will need to get his quarterbacks to perform at a higher level, especially in big games. Developing a more balanced offensive attack that takes advantage of the team’s playmakers in the running game is crucial. Additionally, Sarkisian will need to focus on instilling a stronger mental toughness in his players, ensuring they are ready to handle the pressure of big-time games.

There is also the matter of recruiting. While Texas has always been a recruiting hotbed, the rise of other programs in the state and across the nation means that Sarkisian cannot afford to rest on his laurels. The Longhorns will need to continue to bring in elite talent to compete with the likes of Alabama, Georgia, and Ohio State.