Texas Football Drama: Report Alleges Jeff Banks Leaked Steve Sarkisian’s Role in Terry Joseph’s Departure

The Texas Longhorns football program has found itself at the center of yet another controversy, as a report claims that assistant coach Jeff Banks was responsible for leaking information about head coach Steve Sarkisian’s involvement in Terry Joseph’s departure. The alleged reason? So that Banks could push for his own candidate, Duane Akina, to be named assistant head coach.

If true, this situation represents one of the wildest internal power struggles in recent Texas football history. The Longhorns are no strangers to off-field drama, but this kind of alleged backstabbing, power plays, and leaks from within the coaching staff could signal deeper issues inside the program.

The Allegations: A Calculated Leak?

According to reports, Jeff Banks, Texas’ special teams coordinator and tight ends coach, allegedly leaked the information that Sarkisian played a key role in the departure of Terry Joseph, who previously served as Texas’ co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach. The rumor suggests that Banks saw an opportunity to influence staffing decisions by making sure Sarkisian’s involvement in Joseph’s exit became public knowledge.

Banks’ alleged motivation? To create an opening for Duane Akina, a well-respected defensive backs coach, to be elevated to assistant head coach. Akina, who has a deep history with Texas football, would be a logical candidate for a leadership role. However, if Banks did in fact orchestrate this situation behind the scenes, it raises major ethical concerns within the program.

Who is Duane Akina?

For those unfamiliar with Akina, he is a coaching veteran with a long and respected track record, particularly in defensive back development. He previously spent over a decade at Texas (2001–2013), coaching some of the best secondaries in college football history. Under his leadership, Texas produced elite defensive backs like Earl Thomas, Michael Griffin, Aaron Ross, and Quentin Jammer.

After leaving Texas, Akina went on to coach at Stanford, where he continued to develop top-tier defensive backs. His coaching philosophy and ability to develop NFL-caliber talent have earned him widespread respect in coaching circles.

While it’s easy to see why Akina would be a great addition to the Texas coaching staff in a leadership role, the manner in which this situation reportedly unfolded casts a shadow over the move. If Banks truly worked behind the scenes to push out Terry Joseph and elevate Akina, it would suggest a major divide within the coaching staff—one that could have lasting consequences for the Longhorns.

The Impact on Steve Sarkisian’s Leadership

If these allegations are true, the biggest question is: What does this mean for Steve Sarkisian’s leadership at Texas?

Sarkisian, who has been trying to restore Texas to national prominence, cannot afford to have internal power struggles distracting from the team’s on-field performance. The Longhorns are coming off a season that showed promise, but they are still chasing their first Big 12 title under Sarkisian and a return to national championship contention.

If Banks truly went behind Sarkisian’s back to manipulate staff decisions, it raises concerns about whether Sark has full control over his own coaching staff. Head coaches must have complete trust in their assistants, and this situation—whether the reports are exaggerated or not—suggests that trust might not be there.

Texas fans have already seen their fair share of dysfunction in recent years, with coaching changes, recruiting battles lost, and on-field inconsistencies. The last thing the Longhorns need is an internal rift threatening their progress.

What This Means for Texas Moving Forward

This situation could have several major implications for the Longhorns:

1. Staff Turmoil Could Hurt Team Morale

Players notice when there is tension within a coaching staff. If this reported drama leads to distrust or uncertainty among players, it could negatively affect performance, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

2. Sarkisian Must Reassert Control

If Sarkisian wants to maintain credibility and authority, he needs to address this situation head-on. Whether that means publicly denying the reports, making further staff changes, or having private discussions with his assistants, he cannot allow this kind of controversy to overshadow the team’s goals.

3. Recruiting Could Be Affected

Texas has been making significant strides in recruiting, particularly in the defensive secondary. However, if recruits and their families perceive instability within the staff, it could hurt the Longhorns’ chances of landing top talent. Stability and trust in the coaching staff are major factors in recruiting, and any sign of dysfunction can be used against Texas by rival programs.

4. Jeff Banks’ Future Could Be in Question

If Banks was truly behind the leak, Sarkisian may have to consider whether his position on the staff is still tenable. While Banks is known as a top-tier special teams coach and recruiter, his involvement in behind-the-scenes politics could make him a liability rather than an asset.

5. Texas Needs to Focus on Winning

Ultimately, the best way to quiet the noise surrounding this controversy is to win games. If Texas takes care of business on the field, this drama will fade into the background. However, if the Longhorns struggle next season, this situation could be remembered as a sign of deeper problems within the program.

Final Thoughts: A Sh*tshow in Texas?

The phrase “We’ve never seen a sh*tshow like Texas” might feel exaggerated, but this situation certainly adds another chapter to the Longhorns’ long history of off-field drama. Whether or not Banks truly orchestrated this leak, the fact that such a report is circulating at all is a bad look for Texas football.

Sarkisian has worked hard to rebuild the Longhorns into a serious contender, and distractions like this only make his job harder. Texas fans, players, and recruits need stability, leadership, and a clear vision for the future—something that cannot happen if internal power struggles are dominating the headlines.

For now, all eyes are on how Sarkisian responds. Will he address the rumors? Will further staff changes follow? Or will the Longhorns try to move forward as if nothing happened?

One thing is clear: Texas cannot afford for this kind of drama to become the norm if they want to compete at the highest level.