The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
No. 14/14/16 Football’s Sarkisian named Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week
12.01.2025 | Football
Sarkisian receives honor after 27-17 victory over No. 3 Texas A&M.
AUSTIN, Texas – No. 14/14/16 Texas Football head coach Steve Sarkisian was named the Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week, the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl announced Monday.
The Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week award honors a football coach who led his team to a significant victory during the previous week, while also embodying the award's three pillars of scholarship, leadership and integrity.
Sarkisian led Texas (9-3) to a 27-17 win over previously unbeaten No. 3/3/3 Texas A&M (11-1) in the Cotton Holdings Lone Star Showdown on Nov. 28 at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium. The Longhorns erupted in the second half, scoring on four of their first five possessions and outscoring the Aggies 24-7 over the final 30 minutes in front of a sold-out home crowd. With the win, Texas became the first team with three AP Top 10 victories in a regular season since the 2019 LSU Tigers. The Longhorns are the only team in the nation with two wins over opponents currently ranked in the CFP Top 10.
Sophomore quarterback Arch Manning totaled 232 yards of total offense and two touchdowns, including a 35-yard game-sealing touchdown run in the fourth quarter against the Aggies. Manning completed 14-of-29 passes for 179 yards and a score through the air. Manning added seven carries for 53 yards (7.6 ypc) and a touchdown on the ground. Junior running back Quintrevion Wisner accounted for a season-high 155 rushing yards on 19 attempts for 8.2 yards per carry with a long of 48 that is tied for the fourth-longest against Texas A&M this season and the longest run by Texas against Texas A&M since Colt McCoy's 65-yard TD in 2009. Wisner became is the third Texas player with multiple 100-yard rushing game against Texas A&M since 2000 with the others being Cedric Benson (2003, 2004) and Cody Johnson (2008, 2009). Junior tight end Jack Endries led Texas pass catchers with four receptions for 93 yards, including a season-long 54 yard reception. Sophomore left tackle Trevor Goosby was selected as the SEC's Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week and allowed no sacks and no pressures while helping pave the way for 218 rushing yards and 397 total yards against the nation's 15th-ranked total defense. Goosby faced off with the SEC's leader in sacks who was second nationally in Cashius Howell and did not allow either a sack or pressure. Defensively, the Longhorns recorded back-to-back interceptions in the fourth quarter to put the game away, with senior defensive back Michael Taaffe and sophomore defensive back Kobe Black each picking off Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed. Liona Lefau powered the defense with a career-high 11 tackles, and Ethan Burke recorded a career-high nine tackles, including a half tackle for loss, a pass break-up and a blocked field goal to earn the SEC's Co-Defensive Player of the Week. The 17 points for the Aggies were 21 points below their season scoring average of 38.1 that ranked 10th in the FBS, while the UT defense also limited them to 337 total yards, which was 128 yards below their season average of 465.1, which ranked 15th in the FBS.
In the classroom, Sarkisian emphasizes academic accountability and growth as cornerstones of the program. Texas football holds a 991 Academic Progress Rate and a 76 Graduation Success Rate, highlighting his commitment to developing student-athletes who excel academically while competing at the highest level.
In the community, Sarkisian has been connected to a number of charitable efforts, including philanthropic work alongside his wife, Loreal, who is involved with organizations such as The Kindness Campaign, the UGLI Foundation, Runway of Dreams, Dress for Success and other causes. He also embraces the mission of Horns Giving Back, a community program started by Longhorns for Longhorns, which rallies alumni and supporters to raise funds for athletes through landmark events like the annual Tee It Up for Cole Pittman Golf Tournament and the Texas Premier Football Camp.
