"Issues": Texas HC Steve Sarkisian Announces Future Action Against Arch Manning & Co.

October 17, 2026

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian faced mounting pressure after a second consecutive loss left the program’s season trajectory in doubt. The 27-24 defeat to unranked Florida on Saturday followed a 24-21 loss to Oklahoma the prior week, exposing significant offensive struggles for the Longhorns.

Quarterback Arch Manning, the team’s star player, completed just 14 of 20 passes for 173 yards and a single touchdown, continuing a recent trend of inconsistent production. Manning has failed to surpass 250 passing yards in four of his last five games, raising serious questions about his starting role.

Sarkisian, who had previously defended Manning against unrealistic expectations, now signaled a willingness to evaluate the quarterback’s future, stating that the team’s broader offensive issues must be addressed. Despite a brief spark in the fourth quarter—including a 62-yard touchdown pass to Emmett Mosley V and a late drive that cut Florida’s lead—the Longhorns’ offense stalled, culminating in a costly fumble that sealed the loss.

The defeat underscores Texas’s inability to sustain momentum, particularly in high-pressure moments, as Florida capitalized on five third-down conversions in the third quarter alone.