Texas Longhorns Continue Academic and Athletic Success Under Steve Sarkisian
The Texas Longhorns football program isn’t just thriving on the field, where they’ve reached back-to-back College Football Playoff semifinals since 2023—it’s excelling off the field as well.
In 2024, the team achieved a program-best GPA of 3.27, a milestone that underscores the culture shift under head coach Steve Sarkisian, now entering his fifth season. This academic success is particularly notable given the rigorous standards at The University of Texas.
Sarkisian has often emphasized the connection between academic performance and on-field results. Reflecting on his team’s progress, he shared how academic improvements have directly impacted their success.
“When I got the job in 2021 in January, after that spring semester, I got a team GPA from our administration. We had a 2.33 team GPA. Well, what happened that fall? We went 5-7. How many players did we get drafted? Zero,” Sarkisian revealed.
Recognizing the problem, Sarkisian prioritized raising academic standards, which he believes transformed the team.
“The next spring … we end up with a 2.76 team GPA. That fall, we go 8-5. We have five players drafted. We go through the next fall. All of a sudden, the spring comes around, we have a 2.98 team GPA. We go 12-2, we’re Big 12 champs, we go to the College Football Playoff, and we have 11 players drafted, more than Texas ever has,” he explained.
Sarkisian highlighted the importance of consistency, adding, “We use an adage around our place: ‘Who you are some of the time is who you are all of the time.’”
As Texas gears up for the 2025 season, the Longhorns aim to continue their upward trajectory in both academics and athletics, proving that success in the classroom can fuel victories on the field.
