Texas coach Steve Sarkisian is not allowing the recent comments from Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark to distract him from leading the program in the 2023 season.
Texas will join the SEC at the conclusion of the ’23 campaign and will play their Big 12 finale on Nov. 24 against Texas Tech. On Wednesday, Yormark made it known which team he will be rooting for when the two programs meet in the Battle For The Chancellor's Spurs.
“Coach [Joey McGuire], I’m not going to put any pressure on you, but I’m going to be in Austin on Thanksgiving, and you better take care of business like you did right here in Lubbock last year,” Yormark said while speaking to the Red Raider Club last week.
On Monday, Sarkisian told reporters he questioned Yormark’s thought process behind his remarks.
“I got a letter from the commissioner about sportsmanship the day before that speech, so I’m trying to figure out what are we promoting to our student-athletes," Sarkisian said, per ESPN. “To go say those types of things? I’m not guessing he’s gonna have his Thanksgiving dinner with us the night before that game.”
While Yormark’s comments have generated a lot of dialogue along with the team embracing the criticism it will face in boisterous environments this fall, Sarkisian said the focus remains on the program.
“We’re focused on what we get to do and why we get to do it,” Sarkisian said. “We’re proud to be part of the University of Texas. ... We know who’s behind us, and that’s OK. Now let’s go play.”
Texas, who begin the season at No. 11 in the Associated Press poll, will begin the season on Saturday at home against Rice.
