Texas Longhorns Are Cooking Something Huge
The winds of change are sweeping through Austin, and the smell of something big — no, something massive — is in the air. The Texas Longhorns, one of the most storied programs in college athletics, are cooking up a revolution that could redefine their place in the sports world for years to come.
This isn’t just hype. It’s not the usual preseason optimism or another catchy recruiting slogan. It’s deeper, more deliberate, and far more transformative than anything the Forty Acres have seen in decades. From football to facilities, from recruiting to realignment, the Texas Longhorns are building something huge — and the rest of the country is starting to feel it.
A Program Poised for a New Era
For years, Texas has carried the weight of expectations without consistently delivering results. In the aftermath of the 2005 National Championship under Mack Brown — a moment of glory forever enshrined in college football lore — the Longhorns struggled to maintain national prominence. They cycled through coaches, philosophies, and even administrative strategies, all while watching rivals like Alabama, Georgia, and even in-state competitors like Texas A&M surge ahead.
But over the past few seasons, things have begun to change. Not overnight — the true mark of sustainable growth rarely happens in a flash. Instead, Texas has undergone a systematic rebuild from the inside out.
At the heart of this transformation is Athletic Director Chris Del Conte, whose leadership has been pivotal in modernizing Texas athletics. Del Conte’s vision has centered around not just improving the football team, but elevating the entire athletic department. New facilities, revamped marketing, enhanced donor engagement — every stone has been turned over in pursuit of excellence.
Most importantly, Del Conte understood that for Texas to truly return to national dominance, it had to embrace change without losing its soul. It needed to combine its unparalleled resources with a modern approach to competition.
Enter Steve Sarkisian.
Steve Sarkisian: The Architect of Change
When Steve Sarkisian was hired as head football coach in 2021, there were skeptics. Texas had gone through big hires before — Charlie Strong and Tom Herman came in with considerable promise, only to fall short of expectations. Sarkisian, who had previously struggled in a head coaching role at USC but had found redemption as an offensive coordinator at Alabama, seemed like a gamble to some.
But beneath the surface, Sarkisian brought something Texas desperately needed: a cutting-edge football mind, a relentless recruiter, and perhaps most critically, a blueprint for success drawn directly from the Alabama dynasty.
Sarkisian’s recruiting strategy has been relentless and methodical. He has secured commitments from top-tier players not just from Texas, but across the nation. He has rebuilt relationships with Texas high school coaches, repaired the Longhorn brand nationally, and built a culture that resonates with today’s athletes — a combination of player development, NFL preparation, and personal growth.
The results are beginning to speak for themselves. Texas’ recruiting classes have consistently ranked among the top five nationally. In an era when talent acquisition is more competitive than ever, Sarkisian and his staff have kept Texas at the forefront.
And it’s not just about getting talent. It’s about developing it. Strength and conditioning programs have been overhauled. Nutrition, mental health services, and academic support have been expanded. Texas isn’t just selling the dream; they are building the foundation for it.
The SEC Move: A New Battlefield
Perhaps the biggest move of all — and the clearest signal that Texas is cooking something huge — is the impending shift to the Southeastern Conference (SEC).
Starting in the 2024 season, the Longhorns will officially join the SEC, leaving behind the Big 12, where they were a founding and dominant member. The move is about more than just money, although the financial windfall is substantial. It’s about prestige, competition, and relevance.
The SEC is the pinnacle of college football. Week in, week out, it offers the highest level of competition, the deepest recruiting grounds, and the fiercest rivalries. By joining the SEC, Texas isn’t just changing conferences — it’s stepping onto the biggest stage college sports has to offer.
This move is both a challenge and an opportunity. For Texas, it’s a chance to prove they belong among the true elites. It’s a chance to rekindle old rivalries, particularly with Texas A&M, and to forge new ones with Alabama, LSU, Georgia, and Florida. Every Saturday will be a war. And that’s exactly what Texas wants.
The move also sends a powerful message: the Longhorns are serious about winning — not just in the Big 12, not just regionally, but nationally.
Facilities and Financial Muscle: Texas’ Secret Weapon
When it comes to resources, few programs can match Texas. The Longhorns lead the nation in athletic revenue, consistently generating over $200 million annually. This financial muscle has allowed them to invest in state-of-the-art facilities that rival NFL franchises.
The new South End Zone complex at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium is a shining example. Featuring luxury suites, new locker rooms, a recruiting lounge, and other amenities, it’s part of a broader commitment to providing athletes with the best possible environment to succeed.
Beyond football, the university has poured resources into baseball, basketball, swimming, track, and countless other sports. The new Moody Center, a $375 million basketball arena, opened to rave reviews and promises to make Texas a basketball powerhouse under Chris Beard and his successors.
This holistic investment signals that Texas isn’t just focused on winning a few football games. They are building an athletic empire.
A Cultural Shift: The Texas Identity Reborn
Perhaps the most important — and most difficult — part of what Texas is cooking has nothing to do with facilities or even wins and losses. It’s about culture.
For too long, Texas struggled under the weight of its own expectations. The program became bogged down by entitlement, political infighting, and a misplaced sense of inevitability. It believed it should win because it was Texas, not because it earned it.
That mindset is changing. Sarkisian, Del Conte, and university leadership have fostered a culture of humility, hard work, and accountability. Players are expected to compete every day. Nothing is given — everything is earned.
The program’s messaging has shifted too. Instead of selling the dream of being “back,” Texas is focusing on daily improvement, grinding in silence, and letting results speak for themselves.
This cultural transformation won’t be visible overnight. But it’s the kind of deep-rooted change that sustains success over the long term.
The Domino Effect: Recruiting Momentum and Fan Buy-In
When a program builds correctly, the benefits compound.
Texas’ recruiting is feeding off itself. Blue-chip recruits see the facilities, the coaching staff, the SEC move, and they want to be part of it. The Longhorns are now battling — and beating — Alabama, Georgia, and Ohio State for elite prospects.
Fans, too, are re-engaging. After years of frustration and skepticism, the Texas faithful are beginning to believe again. Season ticket sales are booming. NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) opportunities for athletes are abundant, helping Texas compete for the best talent in the new era of college sports.
Even former players — the legends who built Texas’ reputation — are rallying around the program. Visits from Longhorn greats are common at practices and games. There’s a sense of family, of tradition blending with innovation.
Challenges Ahead: The Road Will Not Be Easy
To be clear, cooking something huge doesn’t guarantee a perfect feast.
The SEC will be brutal. No one — not Nick Saban, not Kirby Smart — wins easily there. Texas will have growing pains. They will take losses. There will be moments of doubt.
But the difference now is that Texas is building for the long term. They are recruiting the right players, hiring the right coaches, investing in the right infrastructure. They are learning the lessons of the past and forging a new identity.
If they stay the course, championships — plural — are not just possible. They are likely.
The Longhorns Are Coming
As Texas prepares to make its SEC debut, the entire college football world is watching. Some are skeptical. Some are hopeful. Many are fearful.
Because deep down, everyone knows: when Texas gets it right, when all that talent and all those resources are harnessed properly, they are a juggernaut.
And right now, Texas is cooking something huge.
The fire is lit. The pot is boiling. And soon, very soon, the whole nation will smell what’s coming.
