Steve Sarkisian's NSD Press Conference Takeaways

Steve Sarkisian graciously spoke for 50 minutes this morning, covering topics from the 2024 class, transfer portal additions, coaching changes, recruiting department promotions and the mindset heading into the spring. I wanted to share some quick thoughts on the press conference as well as the key points that will carry us into the remainder of winter conditioning.

1. Brandon Harris' Promotion to GM

Sarkisian spoke very highly of new General Manager Brandon Harris. Off the bat, you can tell there is a lot of trust between Sarkisian and Harris. Several times during the presser, Sarkisian mentioned being able to rely on Harris to sit in meetings or accomplish an important role without him being present.

“His ability to communicate, I thought was incredible," Sarkisian said. "It was a guy that we’ve just grown our relationship over three years. So I felt like the time was right for him to assume this role.”

2.    Staff Additions

Interestingly, Sarkisian said that every coach on the Texas staff was offered a new job this offseason from a program looking to poach. Of course, Jeff Choate went west to Nevada and Bo Davis ended up back home at LSU, however Sarkisian was thrilled to return all three coordinators on his staff and spoke positively about the new additions, Kenny Baker and Johnny Nansen. Sarkisian mentioned the national perception of Texas football has changed since he arrived. In his opinion, national players are now more willing to give Texas a chance. He believes staff continuity has played a role. Adding Nansen and Baker will allow Texas to dive even deeper into the west coast and deep south, respectively. As Texas heads into the SEC, Sarkisian mentioned how important it would be for his staff to have in-roads to the backyard of where they will be playing a majority of their games.

3.    Wide Receiver Additions

It was clear that Sarkisian was thrilled with the pieces Texas added out of the portal. Oregon State WR Silas Bolden will join the program in the summer, but the two mid-year transfer wide receivers are already making solid strides. Sarkisian mentioned it would have been "malpractice" to not utilize the portal, to have entered a season with only three returning scholarship receivers – of which they group has only eight career receptions. “That room is going to be solid," he said. "We have just got to find that right group of guys once September rolls around.”

4.    Desire to Get Back to CFP

My biggest takeaway was the desire in which Sarkisian spoke about returning to contending for a National Title. Texas got a small taste with the semi-final game against Washington, however, the way in which Sarkisian spoke about getting back to that level and eventually winning a National Title left a strong impression on me. He is driven and wanting to do whatever it takes to bring a title back to Austin.

“I didn’t come here to just be a head coach again," he said. "I didn’t come here to say I am the head coach at UT. I came here to win a championship. I am borderline obsessed with it.”

5.    Important Dates

Sarkisian did mentioned more changes to the recruiting department were in store but did not provide finite details on when that might occur and what it might exactly look like. One thing he did give us a schedule for was spring football. Texas will undergo four more weeks of winter conditioning starting on Monday – so 4.5 weeks left for those pulling out the calculator. March 19 will mark the first day of spring practice. For NFL Draft hopefuls, the Texas Pro Day will take place March 20 in Austin. The Texas coaching staff will also host the coaching clinic on March 22, the weekend we are also expecting a pretty busy recruiting weekend.