Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) leaves the field following the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025. Ohio State won 14-7.

Demand Grows for Texas Football HC Steve Sarkisian To Make Decision For Arch Manning

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics | By Jordan Sigler | Last updated Aug 30, 2025 5:42 PM ET

No. 1 Texas football needs to think about making a big change following its showing against No. 3 Ohio State on Saturday. Arch Manning and the offense looked dreadful against the Buckeyes’ defense, scoring just one touchdown in a 14-7 loss in front of 107,524 fans at Ohio Stadium in Columbus.

Manning looked out of sync in the first half, hurting his Heisman Trophy chances well going 5-of-10 passing for 26 yards. He finished 17-of-30 passing for 170 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, but the offense wasn’t able to consistently move the ball against the defending national champs.

Steve Sarkisian and Arch Manning couldn’t do enough

Texas actually outgained Ohio State with 336 total yards to 203 yards, but OSU chose to play conservatively as their defense won the turnover battle 2-0. Much of Texas’ issues looked schematic, with head coach Steve Sarkisian not playing to Manning’s strengths as a runner in the first half.

Sarkisian also struggled calling plays in the red zone, as Texas was denied inside the five-yard line in the third quarter, reminiscent of what happened in the College Football Playoff semifinal in January.

Many fans feel like Sarkisian should make the decision to give up play calling to help Manning succeed. The offense looked similar to how it operated with Quinn Ewers, when they were unable to score 20 points in their two games against Georgia and OSU in the CFP.

Texas football fans want a change

Jul 15, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisan talks to the media during SEC Media Days at Omni Atlanta Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images

In hindsight, the problem with the offense doesn’t appear to be the quarterback. The offense could use a boost from having an offensive coordinator call the plays.

“Y’all ain’t ready to talk about sark and his play calling… He might need to give his playbook to someone else to call the plays,” wrote a fan.

“Sark should just let someone else call the plays … he’s killing me,” argued a fan.

“Sark has got to let someone else call the plays,” posted another.

“Please take the play calling away from Sark. Please. For the love of God. Never let him call plays EVER again. We need an offensive coordinator who can handle pressure and prepare his team. Embarrassing is an understatement,” wrote a fan.

“Tough L. Does it get to the point that Texas needs an offensive coordinator that’s not the head coach?!?! We know how good of a play caller he is but maybe it can split that responsibility with someone else! Just my opinion,” argued another.

“Texas needs to hire an offensive coordinator for just the red zone. Sark is awful,” believes a fan.

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian speaks with quarterback Arch Manning (16) during warm ups against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

This article first appeared on Gridiron Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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