Texas Longhorns football

Texas Longhorns football
Name	Texas Longhorns
Founded	1893
Stadium	Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium
Capacity	100,119
City	Austin, Texas
Conference	Southeastern Conference
Division	West
Head coach	Steve Sarkisian
Athletic director	Chris Del Conte
Fight song	"Texas Fight"
Mascot	Bevo
Rivalries	Oklahoma Sooners (Red River Showdown), Texas A&M Aggies (Lone Star Showdown), Arkansas Razorbacks
National titles	4 (1963, 1969, 1970, 2005)
Conference titles	32
Bowl record	31–26–2

Texas Longhorns football. The program represents The University of Texas at Austin in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), having joined in 2024 after a storied history in the Big 12 Conference and the former Southwest Conference. One of the most successful and valuable programs in NCAA Division I FBS history, the Longhorns have claimed four national championships and produced a multitude of All-America players and National Football League stars. The team plays its home games at the massive Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin.

History

The program's first season was in 1893, with early success coming under coaches like Dana X. Bible and Blair Cherry. The modern era of dominance began with the hiring of Darrell Royal in 1957, whose innovative Wishbone formation offense led to national titles in 1963, 1969, and 1970. The 2005 team, led by quarterback Vince Young, captured the program's fourth national championship by defeating the USC Trojans in the iconic 2006 Rose Bowl. Key figures in the program's evolution include athletic directors like DeLoss Dodds and coaches such as Fred Akers and Mack Brown, who guided the team to the 2005 BCS title. The program's move from the Big 12 Conference to the Southeastern Conference in 2024 marked a new chapter in its extensive history.

Championships and awards

The Longhorns claim four consensus national championships (1963, 1969, 1970, 2005) as recognized by major selectors like the Associated Press and the Coaches Poll. They have won over 30 conference championships across the Southwest Conference and Big 12 Conference. Individual honors include two Heisman Trophy winners, Earl Campbell (1977) and Ricky Williams (1998). Dozens of players have been named Consensus All-Americans and recipients of major awards such as the Davey O'Brien Award, Outland Trophy, and Jim Thorpe Award. The program has also made numerous appearances in major bowl games like the Cotton Bowl Classic, Sugar Bowl, and Rose Bowl.

Rivalries

The most prominent rivalry is the annual Red River Showdown against the Oklahoma Sooners, played at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas during the State Fair of Texas. The historic Lone Star Showdown with the Texas A&M Aggies is one of the most-played rivalries in FBS history, though it has been intermittently contested since A&M's departure for the Southeastern Conference in 2012. Other significant rivalries include the Southwest Conference feud with the Arkansas Razorbacks, and conference clashes with the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Baylor Bears.

Notable players

Legendary figures include Heisman-winning running backs Earl Campbell and Ricky Williams, as well as national championship quarterback Vince Young. Other iconic Longhorns in the Pro Football Hall of Fame are defensive tackle Tommy Nobis and offensive lineman Jerry Sisemore. Standout quarterbacks include Colt McCoy, James Street, and Bobby Layne. Notable defensive stars are Derrick Johnson, Brian Orakpo, and Michael Huff. Recent first-round draft picks and stars include Bijan Robinson, Quinn Ewers, and Xavier Worthy. The program is also known for producing outstanding offensive linemen like Justin Blalock and receivers such as Roy Williams.

Coaches

Hall of Fame coach Darrell Royal is the program's defining figure, serving from 1957 to 1976 and winning three national championships. Other influential head coaches include Dana X. Bible, Mack Brown (who won the 2005 title), and Fred Akers. Steve Sarkisian became head coach in 2021, tasked with leading the program into the Southeastern Conference. Notable assistant coaches who have served on the staff include Gene Stallings, David McWilliams (who later became head coach), and defensive mastermind Will Muschamp. The contributions of these coaches have been central to the program's identity and success across different eras.

Facilities

The team's home since 1924 is Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium, located on the university's campus in Austin; it is one of the largest stadiums in the United States and features the iconic Godzillatron video screen. The team trains and practices at the adjacent Frank Denius Fields and the state-of-the-art Moncrief–Neuhaus Athletic Center. The Longhorn Network, a partnership with ESPN, was a pioneering dedicated sports network. Administrative operations and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame are housed within the Bill Littlefield Athletics Complex. These facilities are a key part of the program's stature within the NCAA.

Category:Texas Longhorns football Category:Southeastern Conference football teams Category:College football teams in Texas Category:1893 establishments in Texas