The University of Texas Longhorns football team has undergone significant transformations in recent years, particularly since the arrival of head coach Steve Sarkisian in 2021. With a focus on developing a new culture, instilling discipline, and fostering a winning mentality, the program has steadily made strides toward rebuilding its reputation as a college football powerhouse. However, for tight end Gunnar Helm, the journey toward success has been particularly personal and transformative. His reflections on the culture shift within the team offer an insightful look into the challenges and rewards of a changing football program.
A Changing Landscape for the Longhorns
In the world of college football, the culture of a program can be the difference between success and mediocrity. For the Texas Longhorns, the program’s prestige has long been associated with a rich tradition, top-tier recruits, and championship aspirations. Yet, for the better part of the last decade, Texas has found itself struggling to return to its former glory, grappling with inconsistency on the field, disappointing seasons, and a culture that seemed to lack the championship drive it once had.
The arrival of Steve Sarkisian as head coach in 2021 signaled a potential turning point. A former offensive coordinator at Alabama and a coach with a history of success in college football, Sarkisian brought with him a wealth of knowledge and a vision for reviving the Texas program. But as Helm, a tight end who joined the Longhorns as part of the 2021 recruiting class, explains, change didn’t happen overnight.
Helm’s reflections on the transformation within the program offer a glimpse into the challenges faced by the team during a pivotal time in its history. In particular, Helm has been vocal about the culture shift he witnessed during his early years at Texas, especially when it came to the team’s overall mindset and commitment to success.
‘Nobody Wanted to Be Here’: A Reality Check
When Gunnar Helm arrived in Austin, he quickly noticed a stark contrast in attitudes within the program. The culture that had once been synonymous with Texas football was absent, and players seemed to lack the hunger and accountability necessary to succeed at the highest level.
In interviews, Helm candidly acknowledged that, at the time, “nobody wanted to be here.” This statement wasn’t necessarily a reflection of the players’ desire to play for Texas but rather an observation of the mindset that had permeated the locker room. The team struggled to find a collective purpose, and the sense of urgency and competition that defines elite programs was lacking.
Helm’s words were not meant as a criticism of the individual players or their talent. Instead, they shed light on a pervasive issue that has been an ongoing challenge for Texas: the inability to cultivate a culture of winning and hard work. For years, the Longhorns had failed to match their potential with consistent performance, leaving the program in a state of flux.
The “nobody wanted to be here” sentiment was a reflection of a lack of accountability and a focus on individual accolades rather than the success of the team as a whole. Helm and his teammates needed to come together and commit to a shared vision for the program’s future.
A Turning Point Under Sarkisian
While Helm’s initial assessment of the team’s culture may have been sobering, it wasn’t all doom and gloom. As the program began to adjust to Sarkisian’s leadership style and philosophy, a shift started to take place. Sarkisian made it clear from the start that Texas would no longer be a program defined by complacency or a sense of entitlement. The coaching staff set about building a culture grounded in accountability, work ethic, and resilience.
Under Sarkisian’s leadership, the team began to embrace a more disciplined approach to football. Helm noted that the coaching staff demanded more from every player, from the way they approached practice to the standards of effort and performance they were held to on and off the field.
One of the key elements of the culture shift was the emphasis on a team-first mentality. While players were encouraged to strive for individual success, the focus was always on how each player could contribute to the success of the team as a whole. This was a stark contrast to the environment Helm and others had experienced in the past, where individual goals sometimes took precedence over collective success.
In Helm’s case, this new approach allowed him to grow as a player and a leader. He realized that to be a key contributor to Texas football, he would have to embrace his role within the system, work relentlessly to improve, and focus on helping the team achieve its goals. The culture shift was about more than just winning games—it was about fostering a mindset that would lead to success both on and off the field.
The Role of Leadership and Accountability
As the Longhorns’ culture evolved under Sarkisian, it became clear that leadership would be a critical component of the team’s success. Helm was quick to acknowledge that the players themselves had a significant role to play in this transformation. While coaches can instill discipline and create a vision for success, it is ultimately the players who must take ownership of the culture and hold each other accountable.
In interviews, Helm emphasized the importance of player-led leadership in building a culture of accountability. He described how the team’s upperclassmen took it upon themselves to mentor the younger players and help them understand the expectations that came with being a part of the Texas football program. This type of leadership was crucial in shifting the mindset of the team and instilling a sense of pride and responsibility in every player.
Helm, as a young player himself, saw firsthand how this leadership helped build a stronger sense of unity and purpose. He realized that everyone, regardless of age or experience, was responsible for pushing the program forward and contributing to the team’s success.
A Bright Future for the Longhorns
With the culture shift underway and a renewed sense of purpose within the program, Texas football is on an upward trajectory. While the team has faced challenges and setbacks along the way, the foundation of the program has been solidified, and the Longhorns are starting to see the fruits of their labor.
Helm’s reflections on the culture shift within the program are a testament to the resilience of the players and the leadership of Coach Sarkisian. While the road to success has been long, the team has shown that with the right mindset, discipline, and commitment, anything is possible. The culture of Texas football is no longer defined by a sense of entitlement, but by a collective determination to be the best.
As the Longhorns continue to develop under Sarkisian’s guidance, players like Gunnar Helm will be integral to the program’s success. His journey from a player who saw a fractured culture to a leader in the midst of a transformation is a microcosm of the broader changes taking place within Texas football. The Longhorns may have struggled to find their identity in recent years, but with a renewed commitment to excellence, the future is looking brighter than ever.
