Texas HC Steve Sarkisian’s awkward decision after beating Ohio State has gone viral, and it’s not a great look
Steve Sarkisian’s decision after beating Ohio State wasn’t the best of looks and he’s getting some pushback due to it.
Ohio State losing to Texas 24-23 in Week 2 isn’t a catastrophic result for the Buckeyes, and everything still remains in front of them in what is a young season. But it’s a tough pill to swallow because Ohio State allowed 21 straight points in the fourth quarter to lose to the Longhorns on the road in a game they controlled 23-3 late.
This is going to be a game Ohio State looks back on as one the program either lost but was able to overcome, or one that foreshadowed more of the same later in the season. Ryan Day’s team had Texas buried for three quarters and let the Longhorns crawl back into it and steal it at home. That’s the kind of loss that can linger around if you let it.
Steve Sarkisian postgame decision is catching pushback
Right after the game, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian was set to be interviewed by ESPN’s Holly Rowe. Sarkisian quickly blew Rowe off, and all he had to say was “Let’s go, Texas! Hook ’em!” before walking away and throwing up the “horns up” sign.
The decision not to talk to the reporter is one that’s catching negative reaction online. It was a highly emotional moment for the Texas head coach in what is likely the biggest win of his college football career as a head coach. It’s a win Sarkisian needed to grab to show he can get these big victories. He was 0-2 against Day previously, with the most recent matchup a 14-7 Ohio State win in Week 1 of the 2025 season.
Sarkisian walking off and blowing off the reporter after a big win like that is not something you see often, and it’s a bad look. Let’s not call it anything else. He has the right to go celebrate with his team, but as the winning head coach, you should give Rowe a moment. That’s what is done in college football each and every weekend by the winning head coaches. This could be a signature moment for Sarkisian, the biggest win of his football career, but the way he handled the postgame interview is still catching flak online, and it probably should.
Everything remains in front of Ohio State
The Buckeyes dropping a game in September is far from a death sentence. Ohio State has the rest of Big Ten play ahead and controls its own path to the College Football Playoff. The talent gap between the Buckeyes and most of their remaining opponents is still significant.
The bigger concern is how Ohio State let a 20-point lead evaporate in the fourth quarter. If the defense can’t close out games against elite competition, that’s a problem that will surface again with this tough schedule. Time will tell whether the Buckeyes can correct what went wrong in Austin or whether that collapse becomes a recurring theme for this team.
