Steve Sarkisian Explains How He Is Implementing the Strategies of a Legendary Coach
In the world of college football, coaching is often the difference between mediocrity and greatness. While talent is essential, the guidance of a masterful coach can transform a team, build a championship culture, and leave a lasting impact on a program. Steve Sarkisian, head coach of the University of Texas Longhorns, understands the importance of this delicate balance between talent development and strategic mastery. One of the key influences on Sarkisian’s coaching philosophy is his experience working under one of the most legendary coaches in football history — Nick Saban.
Sarkisian’s time as an offensive coordinator at the University of Alabama, under Saban’s watch, shaped much of his coaching identity. Known for his offensive brilliance and high football IQ, Sarkisian’s journey as a head coach has been marked by a commitment to blending his innovative style with the rigorous, disciplined approach that has made Nick Saban one of the most successful coaches in history. In recent interviews and discussions, Sarkisian has opened up about how he is implementing the strategies he learned from Saban to build a winning program at Texas.
From constructing a championship culture to honing player development and emphasizing discipline, Sarkisian is using Saban’s influence to elevate Texas football to new heights. Here’s how Sarkisian is merging the lessons learned from one of the greatest coaches with his own vision for success at Texas.
The Influence of Nick Saban
Nick Saban’s coaching legacy is built on an unyielding commitment to excellence, discipline, and a process-oriented approach to winning. During his time as the offensive coordinator at Alabama (2016-2018), Sarkisian was directly exposed to the inner workings of Saban’s methodical approach to coaching and leadership. He worked closely with Saban and witnessed firsthand the impact of Saban’s philosophy on the Alabama Crimson Tide. This experience profoundly shaped Sarkisian’s understanding of what it takes to build a national championship-caliber program.
Saban’s approach goes beyond the tactical aspects of football. His emphasis on a structured “process” — focusing on the day-to-day details, consistency, and player accountability — has been one of the key takeaways for Sarkisian. Through his time at Alabama, Sarkisian recognized that football success is not just about drawing up innovative offensive plays; it’s about creating a culture that prioritizes discipline, mental toughness, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
For Sarkisian, the blueprint Saban has crafted at Alabama — one based on both fundamentals and an ability to adapt — is an ideal model. And as Sarkisian enters his third season as head coach at Texas, he is working diligently to integrate the same principles that made Saban’s teams so successful into his own coaching philosophy.
Creating a Championship Culture
One of the most significant lessons Sarkisian learned under Saban was the importance of creating a championship culture. Saban’s relentless focus on building a culture of discipline, accountability, and trust within his program has been at the heart of Alabama’s success. In many interviews, Sarkisian has expressed how he wants to replicate that mindset at Texas — not just in terms of winning games but in the way the team prepares, practices, and approaches every aspect of football.
Sarkisian’s approach is centered around making each day a purposeful step towards championship-level play. He emphasizes that culture is not built overnight; it is a constant process that requires commitment from all players, coaches, and staff. Just as Saban’s success at Alabama was grounded in his process-driven approach, Sarkisian strives to instill the same principles into Texas football.
Sarkisian describes his vision for Texas as a program where everyone understands the importance of executing at the highest level, day in and day out. From the moment players step on campus, they are held to the same standard of excellence that has become synonymous with Saban’s coaching tree. This commitment to culture means a focus on discipline, mental toughness, and the belief that every aspect of football — from conditioning to film study — plays a crucial role in preparing for competition.
Building the “Process”
Saban’s “process” is one of the most talked-about concepts in modern football, and it has served as the foundation for many coaches who have worked under him. The “process” is about focusing on the details — ensuring that each player and coach is fully invested in achieving a common goal, and not getting distracted by external factors. This philosophy revolves around preparing for success every day, rather than relying on talent alone or expecting success to come without hard work and consistent effort.
Sarkisian has adopted this process-driven mindset and implemented it at Texas. He’s not just focusing on recruiting and game day strategies; he’s also ensuring that his players buy into a system that holds everyone accountable. The process is about building habits that lead to success, no matter the situation. For Sarkisian, this means establishing clear expectations and sticking to them, whether in terms of practice intensity, nutrition, or mental preparation.
By focusing on the process, Sarkisian aims to reduce distractions and prevent his players from getting caught up in the hype surrounding the program. Success, he believes, is achieved when everyone on the team is fully committed to doing the right things each day, even when the spotlight is off.
Discipline and Accountability
Discipline is a hallmark of Nick Saban’s coaching style, and it’s a quality Sarkisian emphasizes heavily at Texas. Whether it’s the team’s approach to the weight room, practice sessions, or even personal behavior, Sarkisian’s program demands attention to detail and accountability at all levels. Saban’s influence on Sarkisian is evident in how the Texas head coach holds players responsible for their actions, both on and off the field.
In his time at Alabama, Sarkisian witnessed how Saban instilled a culture of discipline where players were expected to meet high standards in everything they did. This discipline extends far beyond what happens on game day. For Sarkisian, it means ensuring that players show up on time, adhere to team rules, and maintain a work ethic that translates into consistent, championship-caliber performance.
While Sarkisian allows for individual expression and personal growth, he has made it clear that players who don’t embrace discipline or who fail to take responsibility for their actions will not be part of the program. This philosophy is designed to foster a sense of unity and purpose across the team, which ultimately leads to better performance on the field.
Offensive Innovation and Adaptation
As an offensive-minded coach, Sarkisian has always been known for his creativity and ability to adapt to changing trends in college football. During his time as offensive coordinator at Alabama, Sarkisian had the opportunity to work with a roster of elite talent and further develop his offensive system. Saban’s defensive schemes, which often focus on adjusting to the opposing team’s strengths and weaknesses, influenced Sarkisian’s mindset when it comes to offensive planning.
Sarkisian’s offense at Texas is built on principles of adaptability, pace, and balance. He believes that the ability to read the defense and make adjustments in real-time is key to offensive success. While Saban’s defensive strategies are known for their adaptability, Sarkisian takes a similar approach on offense by making sure his scheme can evolve based on the talent at his disposal and the defensive strategies employed by opposing teams.
Player Development and Leadership
Saban’s focus on player development has been one of the cornerstones of his success, and Sarkisian has made it clear that he shares this philosophy. Under Saban, players don’t just develop on the field; they mature as leaders and individuals. Sarkisian has embraced this idea at Texas, working not only to develop players’ skills but also to cultivate leadership qualities in them.
Sarkisian believes that the true strength of a program lies in the ability to grow players both physically and mentally, preparing them for life beyond football. He invests significant time in developing leadership skills, mentoring his players, and teaching them how to thrive in challenging situations. In doing so, Sarkisian is creating a program that builds men of character, prepared to succeed on and off the field.
Conclusion: Sarkisian’s Vision for Texas Football
As Steve Sarkisian continues to lead the Texas Longhorns, the influence of Nick Saban is evident in his commitment to discipline, building a championship culture, and focusing on the details that ultimately lead to success. By implementing Saban’s “process” and emphasizing player development, discipline, and adaptability, Sarkisian is laying the foundation for a winning program that is destined for greatness.
Through hard work, consistency, and a focus on excellence in every aspect of the program, Sarkisian aims to turn Texas football into a perennial powerhouse. With Saban’s strategies as a guide, Sarkisian is poised to build a championship-caliber team that competes at the highest level and elevates the Longhorns to national prominence once again. The road ahead may be challenging, but with the lessons learned from one of college football’s greatest coaches, Sarkisian’s vision for Texas football is bright and full of promise.