Steve Sarkisian’s secret weapon – the X factor fueling Texas’ championship push
At SEC Media Days, the Texas Longhorns head coach went into detail on why he thinks his staffer is one of the best in the country and a rising star.
Head coach Steve Sarkisian gets a ton of credit for the recent rise of the Texas Longhorns' program these last two seasons. But, there's an ace up Sarkisian's sleeve and a lot of folks don't know much about it.
The one who helps Sark's offense tick and is essentially responsible for getting Arch Manning to Austin is co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach AJ Milwee.
Last week, Sarkisian spoke with the media about Milwee's influence and why he's so essential to the operation on the Forty Acres.
“Milwee is great. He’s really detailed oriented and doesn’t let anything go by," Sarkisian said. "He helps me everyday and we’re always improving. It’s been great working with him these past two years.”
Steve Sarkisian and AJ Milwee built a bond at Alabama when the two worked together with Nick Saban.
“We forged a great relationship at Alabama when I was the quarterback coach and offensive coordinator. Coach Milwee was an analyst on staff. He had just come from Akron, where he was one of the younger offensive coordinators in the country," Sarkisian said. "When I got the job at the University of Texas, he was the first guy I hired. We had worked step by step all the way through those two years at Bama, winning the national title.”
The Boaz, Ala., native got his start at North Alabama after he wrapped up his college career. As a Lion, Milwee set all-time school record for career passing yards (8,436), pass completions (677), passing attempts (1,030), touchdown passes (73), and total offense yards (9,401). He was an All-American in 2008, a member of North Alabama's 1999-2008 All-Decade Team, and a two-time Harlon Hill Trophy finalist.
From there he went to Last Chance a.k.a. East Mississippi Community College. Milwee didn't waste too much time making his mark in Scooba, Miss., – helping the program to an NJCAA national championship. In his lone season, Lions freshman quarterback, Bo Wallace, shattered just about every NJCAA single-season record. The future Ole Miss signal caller set marks for touchdown passes (53), passing yards (4,604) and total offense (4,810).
After his stint in junior college, he made his way to Akron where he was the nation's youngest FBS coordinator in 2013 at age 27. After spending a few years in Ohio turning around the Zips' offense and coaching multiple quarterbacks to record-breaking seasons, he linked up with Sarkisian at Alabama where he has served as an analyst for the Crimson Tide in 2019 and 2020. Milwee was part of a staff that led Alabama to a perfect 13-0 record and a national title.
The OC prodigy hit it off immediately with Arch Manning and his family – ultimately being a key piece to his signature on signing day.
One source told Eric Nahlin of Inside Texas Milwee was crucial to landing the Longhorns QB.
“Because I want to make sure he gets his laurels, the relationship between Arch and AJ Milwee is the strongest of any head coach, coordinator or QB coach at any school that recruited Arch, including Sark (who clearly did a phenomenal job). I know you probably know this but I’m not sure this happens without Milwee.”
Source went on to mention Milwee's innate ability to connect with people and why it's paramount to his early successes as a college football coach.
“Absolutely phenomenal relationship builder. Got very close with Arch and Cooper. Incredibly consistent communicator and extremely authentic. Does a great job of making QB recruits feel like they are already being coached by him in recruiting meetings and is a very good teacher. Has enough wisdom to be respectable but comes off as young enough to relate to guys. He’s reserved but very likeable in a 1 on 1 setting. Makes it clear he will coach his guys hard. I’d want to play in his room.”
This 2025 season is going to essentially hinge on how quickly Arch Manning can acclimate to being the full-time starter in the SEC. And it won't take long for the sophomore to be tested as the Longhorns open with Ohio State August 30.
Regardless of what he does at Ohio Stadium that day, the most-hyped prospect of all-time on the 20th anniversary of Vince Young winning Texas' last national championship is playing for Sarkisian and because of Milwee. Make no mistake about it, says one source.
“Milwee did it all. Arrived first, left last. Stood in sun to video while other coaches sat in the shade.“
