Steve Sarkisian reveals how President Donald Trump's attendance on Saturday will affect in-game communications
Summary
Pick/market: AUSTIN, Texas – With President Donald J.
AUSTIN, Texas – With President Donald J. Trump scheduled to attend Saturday's contest between No. 1 Texas and No. 14 Tennessee on Saturday, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian revealed a unique in-game side effect of coaching in front of a sitting president.
"One thing we have to be aware of is when the President goes to a game, any time he enters, leaves or changes locations within the stadium, they cut all communication," Sarkisian said during his Thursday Zoom press availability.
"They cut all communication, so they cut your headsets to coaches and they cut headsets with coach to player communication."
Sarkisian, who serves as Texas' offensive playcaller, has coached in front of a sitting president on other time in his career, which came on Nov. 9, 2019, when Trump attended Alabama's home contest against LSU, during his first term in office. Sarkisian, who was in his first season as Crimson Tide offensive coordinator, saw his offense put up 541 yards of total offense (418 passing, 123 rushing) – however, Alabama lost to LSU, 46-41.
"So, you have to have a plan for that, if and or when it happens and you don't get any warning," Sarkisian said. "It just cuts out. So, you have to have a plan for that and adjust. If he comes in the middle of the first quarter and leaves in the fourth quarter or if he decides use the restroom, whatever it is, you have to be prepared for that."
Aside from the communication issues on the headsets, Sarkisian emphasized nothing else will change about the team's gameday routine.
"It won't change anything for us logistically, from a standpoint of getting there early or anything of the nature," Sarkisian said.
The Longhorns' offense is coming off of an outing against UTSA where they amassed 400 yards of total offense, but saw the passing game struggle to find consistency in Texas' 30-6 win over the Roadrunners.
Texas running backs Hollywood Smothers, Raleek Brown, Derrek Cooper, James Simon and Michael Terry III along with quarterback Arch Manning combined to power the team's 231-yard rushing day.
However, Manning had a seesaw day as a passer, going 16-of-32 passing for 169 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in the win.
As the Longhorns' offense heads into what will already be loud atmosphere at Tennessee's Neyland Stadium, Sarkisian's veteran-laden offense may have to deal with the occasional change in communications.
"As an offensive football team, we'll find out how ready we are, because it's not what we saw, it's going to be what we do," Sarkisian said during his Monday press availabilty. "We've got a more mature unit. We have an experienced quarterback. We've got two experienced runners. We've got experience on the line of scrimmage. We've got experience at wide receiver. Now, it's leaning into that experience and playing with better poise and composure and executing in the moment. Ultimately, when Saturday comes, having great poise and composure and executing the plan to the best of their ability is going to be key."
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