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AUSTIN, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 01: Head coach Steve Sarkisian of the Texas Longhorns reacts after defeating the Vanderbilt Commodores in the game at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 01, 2025 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)

The Texas Longhorns fell just short of making the College Football Playoff last season. Three losses were too much for the Committee to allow them to enter the tournament. In 2024, they lost in the Cotton Bowl to Ohio State.

Steve Sarkisian is known as a good offensive coach. His offensive system is the reason why the Longhorns have been one of the best teams in college football over the last few years. Still, he clearly has more to learn, since he hasn’t led Texas to a national championship.

Recently, Sarkisian revealed who he consults with in the NFL to learn more about scheming up plays.

Texas Longhorns Coach Steve Sarkisian Says Who He Learns From in the NFL

While talking in an interview with Josh Pate on Josh Pate’s College Football Show, Sarkisian reveals who he consults with in the NFL to help him be a better coach.

“I love the Xs and Os aspect of it, and I’ve got a lot of great friends that I try to tap into and meet with. In the month of May, that’s a lot of what I do, with guys in the NFL. It might be one play that I’m going to go and visit Sean McVay about, or a Kyle Shanahan, or a Brian Schottenheimer, but that part’s important.”

Sarkisian is trying to find ways that he can improve as an offensive coach. Poor offense is what got him eliminated from the CFP in 2024 against the Buckeyes. They scored just 14 points in that game, which was nowhere near enough. The Texas Longhorns also scored just seven points against the Buckeyes last season.

With Arch Manning returning as the starting quarterback, Sark needs to find ways to put him in the best situation to succeed. Texas will face Ohio State for the third straight year in Week 2, so he needs to make sure that the offense is ready to go by then.

The Longhorns Have to be Better Offensively in 2026

Last season, the Texas Longhorns scored just 30.5 points per game. That ranked 41st in the country. If they want to make the CFP this season, they have to increase their scoring output. Part of that was due to the slow start they had to the season, with Manning feeling things out.

This year, Texas helped get Manning some weapons. They were able to land Cam Coleman from Auburn in the Transfer Portal. Coleman was widely seen as the best wide receiver available in the portal, so bringing him in should help Manning be more efficient.

Last season, Texas had just the 42nd-ranked passing offense. Sarkisian is looking for ways to improve that number so that the Longhorns not only make the College Football Playoff, but they are also able to win a national championship. Improving that number will help Manning’s draft stock, as well.