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TAMPA, Fla. — If book excerpts and off-the-cuff remarks have damaged the relationship between Steve Sarkisian and Ole Miss coach Pete Golding, neither coach is admitting it publicly. Golding spoke of Sarkisian only with reverence while making the rounds at SEC Media Days in Tampa on Wednesday. “I've always been a super-big fan of Steve Sarkisian. I was able to get really close to him in his time at Tuscaloosa and always had really, really admired him, even prior to that,” said Golding, who worked alongside Sarkisian on Nick Saban’s Alabama staff in 2019 and 2020. “But to see him and how he works on a daily basis and his love of the game and his rapport with his players when he was the coordinator there, the ability to bring people around him with him from a leadership standpoint. I always thought he was one of the best game-day play-callers out there, and packaging plays and seeing things and the way he window dresses things to be able to get certain guys — as they're moving — the ball, which I think is very, very unique.” Golding also made note of what Sarkisian and the Texas staff have done on the recruiting trail, quipping during his main press conference that he’s not fond of the Longhorns’ effort to recruit deep into the SEC footprint, specifically the state of Mississippi. “I tell Sark all the time, ‘Dude, you’ve got plenty of guys in Texas. Get out of our state,’” said Golding, who suffered an in-state recruiting loss to Texas when Brookhaven (Miss.) EDGE Derwin Fields committed to the Longhorns over other suitors, including Ole Miss, in April. “They’re everywhere.” All joking aside, both parties have taken their share of shots in the last year, some more hurtful than others The first indication of possible friction between Sarkisian and Golding came in August 2025, courtesy of an excerpt from Seth Wickersham’s book “American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback.” According to the excerpt, Golding reportedly tried to use Sarkisian’s battle with alcoholism to sway the hotly contested race for Arch Manning in Alabama’s favor (Manning committed to Texas on June 23, 2022). After the dust settled, Sarkisian took what could be considered a swipe at Golding’s program while voicing his issues with transfer portal recruiting in a wide-ranging interview with Matt Hayes of USA Today. “All you have to do is take basket weaving, and you can get an Ole Miss degree,” Sarkisian said. He admitted during his appearance at the Touchdown Club of Houston’s annual Texas luncheon in May that he shouldn’t have used that specific example while trying to frame big-picture issues in college football. Since then, Sarkisian has been complimentary of Golding, touting their friendship. For his part, Golding is returning the favor, praising Sarkisian and the Longhorns on Wednesday for the challenge awaiting the Rebels when they visit Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Oct. 24. “I think it's going to be a really, really tough game. They're a very talented football team,” said Golding, who will continue to call the defense for Ole Miss, making the game a true head-to-head battle with Sarkisian. “(Sarkisian has) put together a really good staff. I've worked with a lot of those guys; a lot of respect for them. Really good relationship, obviously, with Arch. Playing down there is going to be tough. “We've definitely done our homework; you have to with Sark,” he added. “You're going to get certain plays, but you've just got to contest those, man, and spot the ball and play the next one. Super excited about the opportunity.” View full news story

Sark, With the offensive game planning and play calling so bad the last couple years, why did you retain the offensive play caller?

No doubt about that, I just think Casey got a bad wrap due to being on a bad team and having the injury, I loved the way he played when healthy. Just seemed like a gamer and made plays that were there. Oddly enough him and worthy had a better connection than worthy and Quinn, especially down the field.

Can we expect this team to significantly lower the penalties and what has the staff done to correct this part of the game?

Does Muschamp brief Sark on last minute pre game adjustments he will make??

For sark who really called the 4th&1 play for usc lane says he called it as well

For Trevor Goosby if your brother played football what position would he play.

For Collin Simmons whose the most funniest teammate.

For Arch Manning what is the most rewarding part of being at Texas?

For Coach Sark would he allowed a kid to play if he betted on games while on your team an he was a starter?

Casey was a creep.

What one question would you have for Steve Sarkisian? What question would you have Arch Manning, Colin Simmons or Trevor Goosby?

I personally think the season doesn’t end much different. The Texas defense was extremely bad that year and could not stop the run to save its life.

You have a brutal sense of humor.

Old Side show Bert. Really stink that he had such a bad year in 25. I did love the idea after his great season in 24 that he needed an NIL deal with Pert Plus, Bert Plus.

We loved hearing all the feedback, especially the call for more player interviews and live shows. That afternoon trivia energy is missed, and we are working on it.

Man, his hair - looks like he put a finger in a light socket

What's worse - these people vote, and consume natural resources. @Joe Zura

It would have been easier for him to clean his locker out both times.

need pressure from front to help secondary?

Please explain those limitations . There were effectively 3 plays that kept the game in question. And one of those was the offense taking a lower percentage shot on 3rd down on the non-Pi call. The same play that had a secondary effect of a slightly more difficult FG because no yards were gained. It virtually eliminated any decision of a potential 4th down try. And it stopped the clock. Seeing as how Vandy scored with 33 seconds it certainly changed Vandys philosophy with that extra half minute. Yes, a TD ends the game but a first down virtually does as well. So we chose poorly on the risk/reward side of that playcall. Then the next possession we have 4 plays and punt. The offense had an opportunity to end and did not. So let’s keep that in mind given there was a questionable strategic decision. The other two were the TD pass right before half and the 4th and 19. I just saw an article saying that was a busted coverage in the first half. I did not see elaboration on what should have happened though. Then the 4th and 19. But what I do know is that we had two backup safeties out for the majority of the game. I also thought Filsaime got dinged too. Maybe Manny. Or maybe another DB as well. So some confusion given Vandys offense and our experience level was not completely surprising. What exactly does they weren’t playing together mean? The long Stowers TD - there wasn’t much apparent the front had anything to do with it. The other two plays are difficult to determine how they weren’t playing together. I don’t know the dynamics internally. No idea who wanted Akina. Maybe I’ve forgotten but I do not recall ever hearing that a teams front and secondary are not working together.

Yep I agree, I just remember watching Casey in that stretch I had a lot of confidence in him executing and moving the ball. He just took what was there and really didn’t miss or shank throws. Really hope the offense can get back to that level of explosiveness but also balance it had in that stretch. Sark is dangerous when he is in his flow and things are working like he is designing

Texas wins 7 or 8 regular season games and plays in a bowl for sure imo. I also wonder how the Arkansas game goes if Thompson had been named the starting QB from game 1. Honestly, the offense Texas had in those three games in the 2021 season is the offense I think Texas will have over the course of this season. The OL was not good back then either, and they still had that level of output offensively. They should be able to replicate that production in 2026. Hopefully Coleman can provide similar or superior production to a true freshman Worthy and Wingo is superior to any #2 WR Texas had in 2021. While there aren’t any RBs as good as Robinson and Johnson, I do think the running game will have a strong output with Brown, Smothers, and Cooper. Plus this team has better TEs.

I’ve been itching so bad for football that I’ve began rewatching 2021 games before the season fell apart because that’s far enough back for me to not remember every sequence of the game lol. Casey Thompson against Texas Tech, TCU, and OU was a gamer. Say whatever about the competition or defenses he was doing it against but there are plenty of impressive plays and throws he made. I mean he made throws that Quinn, as much as I love him, missed repeatedly deep. Deep posts, the corner fade to Joshua Moore against OU. Strangely enough that offense with him seemed to have more consistent accuracy on the deep ball than we’ve seen since. I just think Casey was better than we give him credit for because he was on a bad team and got hurt and finished the year poorly. Hearing people talk about KJ Lacey and his “chain moving” style of play and gamer-ism he has I’m excited to see KJ in 2028 if he wins the job.