Texas’ Steve Sarkisian fires back at Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark as program prepares to depart for SEC

Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark may not be spending the vacations with Texas anytime quickly, at least in accordance to Longhorns trainer Steve Sarkisian. 

Yormark brought about a stir previous in August when he publicly informed Texas Tech trainer Joey McGuire throughout a talking match in Lubbock, Texas, to “take care of business” in opposition to the No. 11 Longhorns throughout their Nov. 24 matchup. Those remarks were not misplaced on Sarkisian, who claimed to have gained a letter relating to sportsmanship from Yormark in the future earlier than the commissioner took goal at Texas.

“You know I got a letter from the commissioner about sportsmanship the day before that speech,” Sarkisian told reporters throughout a Week 1 press convention. “So I’m trying to figure out what are we promoting to our student-athletes, and then to go say those type of things. I’m not guessing that he’s going to be having his Thanksgiving dinner with us the night before that game.”

Last season, Texas Tech scored its first win in opposition to Texas since 2017 when the Red Raiders prevailed in opposition to the Longhorns in time beyond regulation, 37-34. It used to be additionally the primary time Texas Tech defeated the Longhorns in Lubbock since 2008 when quarterback Graham Harrell hooked up with receiver Michael Crabtree for a go-ahead rating within the recreation’s ultimate seconds. 

This 12 months’s assembly between the universities is the closing scheduled matchup for the foreseeable long run as Texas, along side Oklahoma, prepares to depart the Big 12 for the SEC come July 2024. 

Picked by means of media participants in July to win the Big 12 of their ultimate 12 months of club, the Longhorns have made it transparent greater than as soon as that they are embracing the objective on their back. Yormark wasn’t even the primary Big 12 respectable to take goal at Texas. Big 12 deputy commissioner Tim Weiser ruffled feathers at Big 12 Media Days when he claimed the Longhorns would “rather get beat by Alabama than Kansas State.” 

For the intervening time, the point of interest at Texas is the crew’s Week 1 house recreation in opposition to Rice as Sarkisian and the Longhorns glance to trip the strengthen in their fanbase to a memorable Big 12 finale. 

“We know who’s behind us,” Sarkisian added. “And that’s okay. Now let’s go play.”