December 3, 2025 • 10 mins
Steve Sarkisian joins Craig for an exclusive conversation before his National Signing Day press conference. Sark discusses his team's 13th ranking in last night's CFP reveal, his excitement for the new recruiting class, and why the Lone Star Showdown was a special environment at DKR.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
We welcome you back here to our National Signing Day
program here on sports Radio AM thirteen under the Zone.
Craigway with you, and we've been telling you we're going
to bring you long worn head coach Steve Sarcasian's weekly
news or the National Signing Day news conference, and we are.
But prior to that, we have the benefit and the
privilege of having the head coach join us for a
few minutes. Been busy, what forty eight seventy two hours
(00:23):
for you of late.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
Yeah, I've been pretty busy.
Speaker 1 (00:25):
You know.
Speaker 3 (00:25):
We've you know, obviously doing a little uh paul ticking
right for our team and opportunity to try to get
in this playoffs, and also closing out this signing class.
As we all know, the you know, forty eight to
twenty four hours up till signing Day can get a
little crazy, so doing that and then kind of closing
(00:46):
out the regular season as from a staff perspective and
kind of set in the calendar of what we're poised
to do here in the month of December.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
Were you encouraged in any way by what Hunter Yurchik
said last night that there could still be movement by
idle teams at following the conference championship games. It sound
like he left a crack in the doorway open.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
No, because I'm not, you know, I mean they said
things a week before too, you know, and so it
is what it is, you know. I guess we can
agree to disagree on the topic. Like like I've said before,
you know what they said the principles of the College
(01:30):
Football Playoff and what they were going to measures as
things that were important headed off starting with the strength
of schedule. We have the number one strength of schedule
of all the teams being considered for the CFP when
you talk about head to head competition. We have two
wins over top went top ten teams that are right
(01:51):
now part of the CFP, and we have a third
win by a top fifteen team. But what with the
value comes into it or I continue to look at
that's not in the metrics is I think they take
into account losses more so than wins, and so that
that's something for us to really examine and look at,
(02:12):
and what it tells me at the end of the day,
we got to win the games that are in front
of us, regardless of the opponent, regardless of how good
not good, whatever that looks like because the record matters,
and you know, no three loss team has ever been
in a large bid in the college football playoff, and
as good as our resume looks, they're going to find
(02:34):
every reason to say why we shouldn't be in the
field as opposed to why we should be in the
field and so and that's Hey, that's their perspective, and
I respect the job they have to do. I don't
think it's an easy job that the committee has. I
think it's very difficult. There's a lot of really good teams.
Like I said before, I feel like we had a
really good case. I feel like it was important for
(02:55):
me to try to express that when when you don't
get to sit in front of a committee and make
your case, you have to do it in a variety
of ways, and I tried to do the best job
that I could do, and I still advocate. I do
believe we are one of the best teams in the country,
and I do believe if we were in that tournament,
we would have a great opportunity to go win it.
But unfortunately, we didn't handle the business that we needed
(03:17):
to handle throughout the season to where it wasn't even
in their hands, that it was such a no brainer.
And I think that's the lesson learned. And and you know,
we've been fortunate to be in that tournament the last
two years and and to and to be in the
semi finals and to play really good football. And if,
for some crazy reason we get in there this year,
over the next week, I think we'll be right there again.
(03:40):
If not, you know, lessons learned throughout this season that
that that I think we can you know, we can
get a little different point across and a little different
perspective on what we need to do as a team
to handle our business when we can control it on
the field as opposed to putting it in the hands
of a committee in a hotel room.
Speaker 1 (04:00):
Sure, one more thing before we Visabella signing class. Will
the regardless of whether you're in the playoff or not,
does it change or alter how you begin to prepare
your team for the postseason, whether it's Citrus Bowl or
whatever it might be.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
I think it varies obviously.
Speaker 3 (04:17):
You know, if it's a Citrus Bowl, you're looking at
not playing until December thirty first, and you're back into
that traditional bowl game model where you have essentially a
month to get in anywhere between fifteen eighteen or so.
Practices of timing that out to where the players are
energized every day at practice, but yet they're getting some
(04:38):
time off and getting a little time off around Christmas.
If you're in the CFP, that's a different turnaround. Here
you're playing the nineteenth or twentieth and so your turnarounds
a little bit different. But really that was how it
was for us our first couple of years of going
to bowl games. Last year was the different year where
we were playing every week because we were playing this
week in the SEC Championship game, and then we turned
(05:00):
right around and played in the first round, hosting here
against Clemson. So last year was different, and I think,
like anything, you just adapt and evolve. Like what we've
done this week. Our guys have been working out with
coach Beckton. They're lifting their running, and then they're focusing
on this is our last week of school and so
they're focused on finishing up papers, exams, projects, things of
that nature, and then we'll get back on the field
(05:22):
next Monday.
Speaker 2 (05:23):
So how we're excited? Are you about this signing class?
I love this class.
Speaker 3 (05:27):
This class to me when you look at what we've
done the last two years in recruiting, because I think
you kind of have to look at it in a
sense of that's going to be the bulk of your roster,
a really deep class and a really versatile class. And
there's some highlight players in here for sure. There's a
lot of players that we can look at. Man, this
(05:48):
guy is going to be a really good player, maybe
two years down the road from a developmental standpoint, but
I think we address some things on both sides of
the ball. Now. Obviously you get a quarterback of the
caliber of a DBL. We couldn't be more excited to
get a running back the caliber of a of a
Derek Cooper that that receiving corps with Cohen Brown and
Chris Stewart along with Jermaine Jermaine Bishop and what what
(06:11):
he's been doing. And he's gonna be a guy that's
probably gonna be a two way player early on for
us to see, you know, how he can help us
on both sides. But man, he's a he's so dynamical.
Watched him phenomenal, phenomenal player. Uh you look at the
line of scrimmage and with John Turntine, that what we
think he can be as a tackle as he continues
to grow, and and and Nick Robertson and Caden Sure.
(06:33):
And then on the defensive side of the ball, uh,
you know, at the line of scrimmage with James Johnson,
and then and then what you're able to do with
with the Richie Wesley and then to go along with
the Jamarian Carlton. Those are some really good defensive front players.
And then at backer is probably the room where we
were like, man, we got to make sure we hit
this right. And Tyler Atkinson is a phenomenal player. We
(06:56):
really Then you look at the senior film of Rocky
Cummings and the and the versatility that this guy has
to go along with the cozy Akpaula, the length that
that group has, the speed, the athleticism, the violence they
play with. And then I really think we hit it
right with the secondary again, length, the physicality of our conference.
You got to have that on the perimeter to go
(07:18):
along with the specialists. And so all in all, a
really versatile group, but a great group of young men
too that I think character wise, culture wise are going
to fit right in with what we what was a
very young football team last year that these guys can
come in and can kind of build and grow with
this team as we move into next season.
Speaker 1 (07:36):
Final thing here did before and I know you'll probably
get to ask this in the press conference, is it
too early to tell right now what you and the
staff need to address through the portal based on what
you have coming in.
Speaker 3 (07:49):
Well, I don't know if it's too too early. You know,
I think naturally we're going to get into the running
back market. I think we're going to get into the
offensive line market. You know, when you look at just
needs right where these two needs there, I think depending
on you know, who decides to stay or go on
the defensive side of the ball. You know, are we
going to be into the you know, the linebacker market,
(08:12):
possibly dB market, possibly defensive front, maybe a nose tackle market.
We're losing two you know, really big players in Colbovard
and Travis Shaw. But a lot of that depends on
all right, this is a great opportunity here. In December
we talked about fifteen to eighteen practices.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
We get a really.
Speaker 3 (08:29):
Good look of how much has Josiah Sharma developed, how
much has Myron Charles developed? Okay, all right, how much
of a need is that at nose tackle or are
these guys are going to be we think really ready
to go next fall. So I think December is going
to determine some of that with some of our younger
players from a developmental standpoint, but just sheer numbers wise,
we have an idea of where we need to attack.
Speaker 1 (08:51):
I appreciate you doing this. I'll let you get to
those who are waiting on you in the other round.
Speaker 2 (08:55):
Thanks Greg. Hey one more time, Longhornation.
Speaker 3 (08:58):
I've had a chance to watch our game from Friday night,
and you know, I watched the coaches film, but I
had a little more time this weekend, so I actually
watched a TV copy, which was fun.
Speaker 2 (09:09):
Was DKR.
Speaker 3 (09:10):
I mean it was so much those for those that
didn't get to be there, those that were there, it
was a special night to be part of that night
in DKR, but watching on TV, and I know there
were so many long Horns around the world watching that game. God,
it was electric and uh man, I'm just so grateful
and thankful for all of you and your support. It
was a great night and what a way to cap
(09:32):
off the regular season. So hook them, Horris, everybody out
there appreciate you.
Speaker 1 (09:35):
Most vibrant I've seen it, and I know John Bianco
and I Boaths did our first game in the press
box was the same night in nineteen ninety two, and
it's in thirty four years. It's the most vibrant I've
ever seen.
Speaker 3 (09:46):
You know, it's been five years for me now right,
and I will say like that was the best it's
ever been. And I think part of it. And again,
this isn't, this isn't. This is no knock on Longhorn Nation.
But I think I think them seeing what some of
the other environments have been like where we've gone to
at night in the SEC and to be as good
(10:08):
or better than those, I think that speaks to we're
all growing into what this life is like in the
Southeastern Conference.
Speaker 2 (10:15):
And that was an.
Speaker 3 (10:16):
SEC rowdy, crowd, loud, tough place to play, and they
were a factor in the game.
Speaker 2 (10:22):
For sure, no doubt. Thanks so much. I appreciate you
great us buddy.
Speaker 1 (10:25):
That is Longhort's head coach, Steve Sarkisian. We'll take a
quick break. When we come back, we'll bring you sarks
National Signing Day news conference on thirteen hundred, the Zone
We welcome you back here to our National Signing Day
program here on sports Radio AM thirteen under the Zone.
Craigway with you, and we've been telling you we're going
to bring you long worn head coach Steve Sarcasian's weekly
news or the National Signing Day news conference, and we are.
But prior to that, we have the benefit and the
privilege of having the head coach join us for a
few minutes. Been busy, what forty eight seventy two hours
(00:23):
for you of late.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
Yeah, I've been pretty busy.
Speaker 1 (00:25):
You know.
Speaker 3 (00:25):
We've you know, obviously doing a little uh paul ticking
right for our team and opportunity to try to get
in this playoffs, and also closing out this signing class.
As we all know, the you know, forty eight to
twenty four hours up till signing Day can get a
little crazy, so doing that and then kind of closing
(00:46):
out the regular season as from a staff perspective and
kind of set in the calendar of what we're poised
to do here in the month of December.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
Were you encouraged in any way by what Hunter Yurchik
said last night that there could still be movement by
idle teams at following the conference championship games. It sound
like he left a crack in the doorway open.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
No, because I'm not, you know, I mean they said
things a week before too, you know, and so it
is what it is, you know. I guess we can
agree to disagree on the topic. Like like I've said before,
you know what they said the principles of the College
(01:30):
Football Playoff and what they were going to measures as
things that were important headed off starting with the strength
of schedule. We have the number one strength of schedule
of all the teams being considered for the CFP when
you talk about head to head competition. We have two
wins over top went top ten teams that are right
(01:51):
now part of the CFP, and we have a third
win by a top fifteen team. But what with the
value comes into it or I continue to look at
that's not in the metrics is I think they take
into account losses more so than wins, and so that
that's something for us to really examine and look at,
(02:12):
and what it tells me at the end of the day,
we got to win the games that are in front
of us, regardless of the opponent, regardless of how good
not good, whatever that looks like because the record matters,
and you know, no three loss team has ever been
in a large bid in the college football playoff, and
as good as our resume looks, they're going to find
(02:34):
every reason to say why we shouldn't be in the
field as opposed to why we should be in the
field and so and that's Hey, that's their perspective, and
I respect the job they have to do. I don't
think it's an easy job that the committee has. I
think it's very difficult. There's a lot of really good teams.
Like I said before, I feel like we had a
really good case. I feel like it was important for
(02:55):
me to try to express that when when you don't
get to sit in front of a committee and make
your case, you have to do it in a variety
of ways, and I tried to do the best job
that I could do, and I still advocate. I do
believe we are one of the best teams in the country,
and I do believe if we were in that tournament,
we would have a great opportunity to go win it.
But unfortunately, we didn't handle the business that we needed
(03:17):
to handle throughout the season to where it wasn't even
in their hands, that it was such a no brainer.
And I think that's the lesson learned. And and you know,
we've been fortunate to be in that tournament the last
two years and and to and to be in the
semi finals and to play really good football. And if,
for some crazy reason we get in there this year,
over the next week, I think we'll be right there again.
(03:40):
If not, you know, lessons learned throughout this season that
that that I think we can you know, we can
get a little different point across and a little different
perspective on what we need to do as a team
to handle our business when we can control it on
the field as opposed to putting it in the hands
of a committee in a hotel room.
Speaker 1 (04:00):
Sure, one more thing before we Visabella signing class. Will
the regardless of whether you're in the playoff or not,
does it change or alter how you begin to prepare
your team for the postseason, whether it's Citrus Bowl or
whatever it might be.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
I think it varies obviously.
Speaker 3 (04:17):
You know, if it's a Citrus Bowl, you're looking at
not playing until December thirty first, and you're back into
that traditional bowl game model where you have essentially a
month to get in anywhere between fifteen eighteen or so.
Practices of timing that out to where the players are
energized every day at practice, but yet they're getting some
(04:38):
time off and getting a little time off around Christmas.
If you're in the CFP, that's a different turnaround. Here
you're playing the nineteenth or twentieth and so your turnarounds
a little bit different. But really that was how it
was for us our first couple of years of going
to bowl games. Last year was the different year where
we were playing every week because we were playing this
week in the SEC Championship game, and then we turned
(05:00):
right around and played in the first round, hosting here
against Clemson. So last year was different, and I think,
like anything, you just adapt and evolve. Like what we've
done this week. Our guys have been working out with
coach Beckton. They're lifting their running, and then they're focusing
on this is our last week of school and so
they're focused on finishing up papers, exams, projects, things of
that nature, and then we'll get back on the field
(05:22):
next Monday.
Speaker 2 (05:23):
So how we're excited? Are you about this signing class?
I love this class.
Speaker 3 (05:27):
This class to me when you look at what we've
done the last two years in recruiting, because I think
you kind of have to look at it in a
sense of that's going to be the bulk of your roster,
a really deep class and a really versatile class. And
there's some highlight players in here for sure. There's a
lot of players that we can look at. Man, this
(05:48):
guy is going to be a really good player, maybe
two years down the road from a developmental standpoint, but
I think we address some things on both sides of
the ball. Now. Obviously you get a quarterback of the
caliber of a DBL. We couldn't be more excited to
get a running back the caliber of a of a
Derek Cooper that that receiving corps with Cohen Brown and
Chris Stewart along with Jermaine Jermaine Bishop and what what
(06:11):
he's been doing. And he's gonna be a guy that's
probably gonna be a two way player early on for
us to see, you know, how he can help us
on both sides. But man, he's a he's so dynamical.
Watched him phenomenal, phenomenal player. Uh you look at the
line of scrimmage and with John Turntine, that what we
think he can be as a tackle as he continues
to grow, and and and Nick Robertson and Caden Sure.
(06:33):
And then on the defensive side of the ball, uh,
you know, at the line of scrimmage with James Johnson,
and then and then what you're able to do with
with the Richie Wesley and then to go along with
the Jamarian Carlton. Those are some really good defensive front players.
And then at backer is probably the room where we
were like, man, we got to make sure we hit
this right. And Tyler Atkinson is a phenomenal player. We
(06:56):
really Then you look at the senior film of Rocky
Cummings and the and the versatility that this guy has
to go along with the cozy Akpaula, the length that
that group has, the speed, the athleticism, the violence they
play with. And then I really think we hit it
right with the secondary again, length, the physicality of our conference.
You got to have that on the perimeter to go
(07:18):
along with the specialists. And so all in all, a
really versatile group, but a great group of young men
too that I think character wise, culture wise are going
to fit right in with what we what was a
very young football team last year that these guys can
come in and can kind of build and grow with
this team as we move into next season.
Speaker 1 (07:36):
Final thing here did before and I know you'll probably
get to ask this in the press conference, is it
too early to tell right now what you and the
staff need to address through the portal based on what
you have coming in.
Speaker 3 (07:49):
Well, I don't know if it's too too early. You know,
I think naturally we're going to get into the running
back market. I think we're going to get into the
offensive line market. You know, when you look at just
needs right where these two needs there, I think depending
on you know, who decides to stay or go on
the defensive side of the ball. You know, are we
going to be into the you know, the linebacker market,
(08:12):
possibly dB market, possibly defensive front, maybe a nose tackle market.
We're losing two you know, really big players in Colbovard
and Travis Shaw. But a lot of that depends on
all right, this is a great opportunity here. In December
we talked about fifteen to eighteen practices.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
We get a really.
Speaker 3 (08:29):
Good look of how much has Josiah Sharma developed, how
much has Myron Charles developed? Okay, all right, how much
of a need is that at nose tackle or are
these guys are going to be we think really ready
to go next fall. So I think December is going
to determine some of that with some of our younger
players from a developmental standpoint, but just sheer numbers wise,
we have an idea of where we need to attack.
Speaker 1 (08:51):
I appreciate you doing this. I'll let you get to
those who are waiting on you in the other round.
Speaker 2 (08:55):
Thanks Greg. Hey one more time, Longhornation.
Speaker 3 (08:58):
I've had a chance to watch our game from Friday night,
and you know, I watched the coaches film, but I
had a little more time this weekend, so I actually
watched a TV copy, which was fun.
Speaker 2 (09:09):
Was DKR.
Speaker 3 (09:10):
I mean it was so much those for those that
didn't get to be there, those that were there, it
was a special night to be part of that night
in DKR, but watching on TV, and I know there
were so many long Horns around the world watching that game. God,
it was electric and uh man, I'm just so grateful
and thankful for all of you and your support. It
was a great night and what a way to cap
(09:32):
off the regular season. So hook them, Horris, everybody out
there appreciate you.
Speaker 1 (09:35):
Most vibrant I've seen it, and I know John Bianco
and I Boaths did our first game in the press
box was the same night in nineteen ninety two, and
it's in thirty four years. It's the most vibrant I've
ever seen.
Speaker 3 (09:46):
You know, it's been five years for me now right,
and I will say like that was the best it's
ever been. And I think part of it. And again,
this isn't, this isn't. This is no knock on Longhorn Nation.
But I think I think them seeing what some of
the other environments have been like where we've gone to
at night in the SEC and to be as good
(10:08):
or better than those, I think that speaks to we're
all growing into what this life is like in the
Southeastern Conference.
Speaker 2 (10:15):
And that was an.
Speaker 3 (10:16):
SEC rowdy, crowd, loud, tough place to play, and they
were a factor in the game.
Speaker 2 (10:22):
For sure, no doubt. Thanks so much. I appreciate you
great us buddy.
Speaker 1 (10:25):
That is Longhort's head coach, Steve Sarkisian. We'll take a
quick break. When we come back, we'll bring you sarks
National Signing Day news conference on thirteen hundred, the Zone
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Are You A Charlotte?
In 1997, actress Kristin Davis’ life was forever changed when she took on the role of Charlotte York in Sex and the City. As we watched Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte navigate relationships in NYC, the show helped push once unacceptable conversation topics out of the shadows and altered the narrative around women and sex. We all saw ourselves in them as they searched for fulfillment in life, sex and friendships. Now, Kristin Davis wants to connect with you, the fans, and share untold stories and all the behind the scenes. Together, with Kristin and special guests, what will begin with Sex and the City will evolve into talks about themes that are still so relevant today. "Are you a Charlotte?" is much more than just rewatching this beloved show, it brings the past and the present together as we talk with heart, humor and of course some optimism.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.