The hidden key to Arch Manning’s preparation to be the Texas Longhorns starting quarterback in 2025 started two years ago and is still going strong
It wasn’t easy for Arch Manning to go from being the guy at Isidore Newman (La.) to sitting on the bench when he arrived at Texas two years ago. But, this time offered an opportunity for reflection and preparation. The third-year quarterback is now the guy on the Forty Acres and is ready to be […]
It wasn’t easy for Arch Manning to go from being the guy at Isidore Newman (La.) to sitting on the bench when he arrived at Texas two years ago. But, this time offered an opportunity for reflection and preparation. The third-year quarterback is now the guy on the Forty Acres and is ready to be the guy.
He didn’t do it alone, though. He had a lot of time to sit down, think, ask questions, and work on his craft. And one of the main ambassadors for Manning to be ready for the 2025 season is probably not who you thought it was.
“I played every year in high school,” Manning said at SEC Media Days. “I don’t know if that’s a flex or not, we were 2A. Freshman year was tough. I didn’t deserve to play, but I wasn’t used to not playing. Paul Chryst was on our staff. I would go in his office, we’d watch film. It was an hour of watching film and an hour of me venting. I’m always grateful for him and still keep in touch with him.”
Texas hired Paul Chryst in 2023 as a special assistant to Steve Sarkisian.
As most of you probably already know, Chryst is a seasoned football mind whose roots in the game trace back to his playing days as a quarterback and tight end at Wisconsin. He’s a Madison native and son of longtime Wisconsin assistant coach, George Chryst, so his ability to be a head coach and now a secret weapon for Arch Manning shouldn’t be a surprise.
After playing for the Badgers in the 80’s and ending his career at Oregon State, he got his coaching career started at West Virginia as a graduate assistant. After bouncing around college, CFL, and NFL, he returned to Wisconsin as an assistant in 2002. He eventually became a head coach at Pittsburgh where he went 19-19 in three seasons. Then, the call was made to bring him home once again to replace Gary Andersen.
Paul Chryst’s coaching career has spanned over three decades – highlighted by his time as Wisconsin’s head coach.
Chryst earned a reputation as a sharp offensive mind, previously serving as Wisconsin’s offensive coordinator during they heyday when Bret Bielema was the man in charge.
Once Chryst took over at Camp Randall, he posted a 67–26 record, led the team to three Big Ten West titles, and won six bowl games. Known for his calm demeanor, development-first philosophy, and smashmouth offensive style, Chryst has remained a respected figure in the college football coaching landscape.
And now he’s tasked with helping Steve Sarkisian usher in the most anticipated era maybe ever.
“I’m not going to lie, it was pretty tough,” Manning said. “Obviously the competitor in me always wants to play and be able to help my team out. Looking back, it has definitely helped me grow as a person and a player. I’m blessed for that.”
Speaking of Sarkisian, he didn’t really know about these meetings. He told Joe Cook of Inside Texas he didn’t have to stay out of it much because he had no idea.
“I don’t know a whole lot about those,” Sarkisian said Tuesday of those meetings. “I try not to get too involved when players are having meetings like that. That’s for them if guys are looking for extra meeting time and extra work. That doesn’t surprise me from Arch. That’s the way he approaches the game. He wants to be really good.”
No one is surprised at Arch Manning’s maturation since being on campus.
“It’s always been, how can I get better?” assistant quarterbacks coach Mike Bimonte said of Manning’s attitude last week. “He’s shifted toward this small-track mind of just trying to make it about today. That’s where you want him to be.”
Sarkisian wasn’t surprised to see Manning getting in some extra work this week after a fall camp session ended.
“He’s always going to try to find an edge,” Sarkisian said. “He’s always going to try to make sure that he’s in the best space to compete at a high level.”
The Arch Manning-Paul Chryst connection could be something we look back on in a few years and marvel at. It truly shows just how far a redshirt sophomore has come in such a short time despite not being the guy under center.
“As much as it wasn’t always fun sitting those two years. I think I got a lot of respect from my teammates,” Manning said. “Looking back, it has definitely helped me grow as a person and a player. I’m blessed for that.”
