In a candid and emotional reflection on the challenges of leading one of college footballās most high-profile programs, Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian recently opened up about the immense pressure he faces in his role. In his heartfelt statement, he expressed the weight of the job and the personal toll it has taken on him: āIām secretly dying in this coaching shit, but no one seems to understand, theyād rather blame.ā His words have stirred discussions throughout the college football community, revealing the hidden struggles that come with being the face of a major program like the Texas Longhorns.
Coaching the Texas Longhorns comes with an enormous weight of expectations. The University of Texas has a rich history in college football, with a passionate fanbase that yearns for the glory days when the program was a perennial powerhouse. Since Sarkisian took the reins in 2021, he has faced the daunting challenge of trying to revive a program that has struggled to meet those lofty expectations in recent years.
The Longhorns are not just any college football team; they represent the pride of Texas, and their successes and failures are magnified under the intense scrutiny of fans, alumni, and media. Sarkisian knew this when he accepted the job, but the reality of the pressure has been more intense than he could have imagined. āPeople see the Texas brand, the money, the resources, and they think the job should be easy,ā he said. āBut they donāt see the toll it takes on you when youāre trying to build something great, and every mistake you make feels like the end of the world to some people.ā
In his remarks, Sarkisian delved into the difficulties of maintaining balance in such a high-pressure role. He highlighted the long hours spent in the office, the sacrifices of time away from family, and the constant mental strain of trying to navigate the highs and lows of the season. āIāve got people counting on meāplayers, staff, the universityābut it can feel like Iām on an island sometimes,ā he explained. āWhen things go wrong, people are quick to point fingers at me, as if Iām not giving everything Iāve got.ā
For Sarkisian, the scrutiny comes not only from the fans but also from the media and a broader college football landscape that is eager for Texas to return to its past dominance. Every loss is analyzed to death, every decision second-guessed, and every season falls under the microscope. Even when the team performs well, as Texas has shown flashes of brilliance under Sarkisian, the pressure to maintain that success can be just as overwhelming as dealing with criticism.
āPeople think they know what itās like because they see us on the sidelines or watch the games,ā Sarkisian said. āBut they donāt understand what goes into every single decision, how you agonize over every aspect of the team, or how you carry the weight of every loss like itās a personal failure.ā
Sarkisianās comments have sparked a broader conversation about the mental health of coaches in high-pressure environments. In recent years, the mental well-being of athletes has become a more open topic, but the struggles faced by coaches remain less discussed. Yet, the emotional toll on coaches can be immense. The stress of winning games, managing a program, and maintaining relationships with players, recruits, and administration can wear down even the strongest individuals.
Sarkisianās words suggest that the burden of being a leader, especially in a job as public and demanding as his, can be isolating. āItās a lonely job, even when youāve got a team around you,ā he admitted. āThereās this feeling that you canāt show weakness, that you canāt let on that youāre struggling because people are relying on you to be strong. But inside, youāre fighting battles that no one else sees.ā
His candid admission has drawn support from fellow coaches and former players who understand the unique pressures of the role. Several colleagues in the coaching community have reached out to express their solidarity, sharing their own stories of struggle and the difficulties of maintaining balance in a profession that demands so much. Sarkisianās comments have helped bring to light the importance of recognizing the human side of coaching, where mental and emotional health should not be overlooked.
Despite the pressures, Sarkisian remains committed to building a culture of resilience at Texas. He knows that criticism will always be a part of the job, but he hopes for greater understanding and empathy from fans and stakeholders who may not fully grasp the complexities of leading a program like Texas.
āWhen things go wrong, people are quick to blame because itās easier than looking at the bigger picture,ā he noted. āBut I hope people can see that behind the wins and losses, weāre all doing our best to make this program better. Itās not about making excuses; itās about asking for some grace while we try to do something special here.ā
Sarkisian emphasized that his goal is to create a winning culture at Texas, one that can sustain success beyond just a few good seasons. But he also wants to build a program that values the well-being of everyone involvedācoaches, players, and staff. He has begun implementing strategies within the program to foster mental health awareness and to ensure that the people working alongside him feel supported, even when the pressure is at its highest.
Steve Sarkisianās openness about the challenges he faces offers a rare glimpse into the reality of coaching at the highest levels of college football. His words serve as a reminder that behind the high-profile position lies a person dealing with the same struggles and vulnerabilities as anyone else, only magnified by the demands of the job.
As the Texas Longhorns continue their season, the focus will naturally shift back to the gridiron, where wins and losses dictate much of the narrative. But Sarkisianās admission may leave a lasting impact, encouraging more conversations about the pressures coaches face and the need for a more empathetic approach from those who support their teams.
The road ahead for Sarkisian and the Texas program remains challenging, but his willingness to share his struggles could be a step toward creating a healthier culture within college footballāone where the humanity of those in leadership is recognized alongside their drive for success. While the weight of expectations wonāt disappear, perhaps there can be a better understanding of the personal toll that comes with being in the spotlight, giving coaches like Sarkisian the space to thrive not just as leaders but as people.