Steve Sarkisian reacts to Brett Yormark, chides him over 'sportsmanship'
Steve Sarkisian found Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark’s recent comments about Texas to be in conflict with a message he had received from the commissioner just a day prior.
Yormark turned heads last week when he openly took sides in the 2023 Texas-Texas Tech game. The commissioner also boasted of Texas and Oklahoma leaving for the SEC before their Big 12 deals were set to expire.
“Candidly, we were able to get Texas and Oklahoma out (of the Big 12) a year early. That was a big deal for us and I thank all of you,” Yormark said at Texas Tech’s Red Raider Club kickoff luncheon. “And Coach (Joey McGuire), I’m not going to put any pressure on you, but I’m going to be in Austin on Thanksgiving. And you better take care of business like you did right here in Lubbock last year.”
Sarkisian was asked about the comments in his Monday media availability. The Texas head coach says the Big 12 commissioner appears to be sending a mixed message.
“You know, I got a letter from the commissioner about sportsmanship the day before that speech,” Sarkisian said. “So I’m trying to figure out what we’re promoting to our student-athletes, then to go say those types of things. I’m not guessing he’s going to have his Thanksgiving dinner with us the night before that game.”
Expectations are high for Texas in the Longhorns’ final season as members of the Big 12. On Saturday’s “College GameDay,” Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard and Pat McAfee all picked Sarkisian’s squad to win the conference title.
No. 11 Texas opens the 2023 season against Rice on Saturday.
Steve Sarkisian responds to comments in Lubbock last week by Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark. Well done by Sarkisian #AllGasNoBrakes @ontexasfootball @InsideTexas pic.twitter.com/RuhSWTPvDT
— Gerry Hamilton (@GHamilton_On3) August 28, 2023