The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
No. 1/1 Football’s Sarkisian selected to Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year watch list
10.16.2024 | Football
The Texas head coach was tabbed to the watch list for the Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year on Wednesday.
AUSTIN, Texas – Texas football head coach Steve Sarkisian was named to the watch list for the American Heart Association's 2024 Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Award, the organization announced Wednesday. The award, given each January to a college football coach, recognizes contributions that make the sport better for athletes and fans alike by demonstrating grit, integrity and a winning approach to coaching and life – both on and off the field.
Sarkisian and the No.-1 ranked Longhorns are off to a 6-0 start for the first time since 2009. On Sept. 15, UT moved to No. 1 in the AP Poll for the first time since Oct. 26, 2008. Texas has been unanimous No. 1 in both the AP Poll and AFCA Coaches Poll for the past two weeks and held the top spot in at least one of the two major polls for five-straight weeks. That is the Horns' longest streak at No. 1 since 1977 when they topped both polls for six consecutive weeks. The current Top-5 streak of 10 weeks in a row is the most since the Longhorns were ranked in the Top 5 of one of the polls for 32 weeks in a row from 2007-10 (30-straight in the AP Top 5). The Horns have earned a Top-10 ranking for 22 weeks in a row.
Through six games this season, the Texas offense under Sarkisian is averaging 495.7 yards per game and 7.2 yards per play. The yards per game is tracking close to the UT single-season record set in 2005 (512.1) The yards per play would be on pace to be second behind only the 1993 team (7.44). Last season's offense finished third (477.5) and fourth (6.67) in those categories, respectively. The current 306.67 passing yards per game is also inching close to a UT single-season record, held by the 2008 team (308.3).
Under Sarkisian, Texas' point differential (+221) through six games is its best since 1915 (+288). The Longhorns' 259 points through six games are the most since 2005 (274) while they've started 5-0 in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2008-09 and for just the second time in 50+ years.
Under Sarkisian's tutelage, Texas' defense this season has also been stellar and leads the nation in several categories. After holding No. 18/16 Oklahoma to just three points this past Saturday, the Longhorns have allowed just 38 points through six games this season, the fewest since 1964 (30), an average of 6.3 points per game, which leads the nation. UT leads the nation in total defense (229.7 ypg), ranks second in passing efficiency defense (91.40), second in red zone defense (0.571), second in passing yards allowed (126.0 ypg), fifth in first down defense (82) and seventh in third-down conversion percentage (.276). Through four home games on the Forty Acres this season, the Longhorns have allowed just 23 points, the fewest points allowed in the first four home games in a season since 1977 when the team gave up just 15 points.
Since the start of the 2023 season, UT is 18-2 (0.900) with the only two losses against AP top-12 ranked foes.
In just one season as a member of the SEC, Texas is the first conference team in history to score 250+ points and allow fewer than 40 through the first six games of a season.
One of the nation's premier coaches who has steadfastly returned the Texas football program back to prominence, Sarkisian is in his 24th year of coaching and 11th as a head coach. In year four at Texas, his Longhorn rebuild has been a patient and deliberate one. The Longhorns finished 5-7 in 2021, improved to 8-5 with an Alamo Bowl bid in 2022, before turning in a historic season in 2023 with a 12-2 record, Big 12 Championship, No. 3 final ranking and College Football Playoff semifinal appearance. Sarkisian has also turned in top-5 recruiting classes the past three years. Sarkisian sports a 31-14 record in four seasons at Texas and a 78-49 mark in 11 seasons as a head coach, with eight of his teams earning bowl bids.
Now in its 39th year, the Coach of the Year award winner will be announced live from Houston's Post Oak Hotel on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, during an awards ceremony presented by Marathon Oil. The National Sports Media Association, the Bryant Awards' Executive Leadership Team and the Bryant Family voted on the watch list, finalists and Coach of the Year recipient.
The Longhorns take on No. 5/4 Georgia at 6:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, Oct. 19, inside Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. The game will broadcast on ABC with Chris Fowler (play-by-play), Kirk Herbstreit (analyst), Holly Rowe (sideline) and Katie George (sideline) on the call. ESPN's College GameDay will be on the University of Texas campus for the 10th time on Saturday. The show will air for three hours from 8 to 11 a.m. CT, hosted by Rece Davis, Desmond Howard, Pat McAfee, Nick Saban, Kirk Herbstreit, Lee Corso and other ESPN personalities.