Texas HC Steve Sarkisian not embracing beef with Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark

There's certainly a world in which a massive "beef" could have developed between Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian and Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark. 

Yormark did publicly express his desire to see Texas lose on its way out of the Big 12, after all. And if that's not putting a target on a coach's back, nothing could be.

Talking to the media on Monday, Sarkisian almost took the bait and "clapped back" at Yormark, but the long-time college football coach seemingly took the high road. That's not saying he didn't get at least a little shot in, though.

"I got a letter from the commissioner about sportsmanship the day before that speech, so I'm trying to figure out what are we promoting to our student-athletes," Sarkisian said, per ESPN. "To go say those types of things? I'm not guessing he's gonna have his Thanksgiving dinner with us the night before that game."

When Sarkisian references "those types of things," he's talking about the comments Yormark publicly made while speaking to a Texas Tech booster club. Tech head coach Joey McGuire was in attendance and Yormark urged him to "take care of business" on Nov. 24, the day after Thanksgiving, when Texas takes on the Red Raiders in Austin.

Coincidentally, that will be Texas' last Big 12 game before it becomes an SEC school.

"Coach [McGuire], I'm not going to put any pressure on you, but I'm gonna be in Austin for Thanksgiving, OK? And you'd better take care of business like you did right here in Lubbock last year," Yormark said.

Again, if that's not a shot across the bow at Texas, what would be?

Sarkisian could probably be excused for going strong after Yorkmark and his comments, especially with the SEC parachute waiting in the wings in 2024. Credit to the Texas coach, though, because he's just focused on football.

"Let's not make this more than it is. This is about us. We're focused on what we get to do and why we get to do it. We're proud to be part of the University of Texas. We know who's behind us, and that's OK. Now let's go play," Sarkisian said.