Texas Longhorns football
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| Texas Longhorns football | |
|---|---|
 Unknown · Public domain · source | |
| Name | Texas Longhorns |
| University | University of Texas at Austin |
| First year | 1893 |
| Athletic director | Chris Del Conte |
| Head coach | Steve Sarkisian |
| Stadium | Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium |
| Location | Austin, Texas |
| Conference | Big 12 Conference |
| National titles | 4 (consensus) |
| Conference titles | 32 |
| Fight song | "Texas Fight" |
| Mascot | Bevo |
Texas Longhorns football is the intercollegiate football program representing the University of Texas at Austin. The program competes in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big 12 Conference and has produced multiple All-American players, Heisman Trophy winners, and College Football Playoff appearances. The team has a long-standing presence in Austin, Texas athletics, notable rivalries, historic stadium traditions, and a legacy of coaching figures and professional NFL alumni.
History
The program began play in 1893 under early coaches linked to Western Conference era scheduling and soon faced regional opponents such as Texas A&M University and University of Arkansas. During the early 20th century seasons, coaches like Dana X. Bible and Eddie Cochems shaped strategies while the program consolidated rivalries with Oklahoma Sooners and Notre Dame Fighting Irish in intersectional matchups. The mid-century era was defined by the tenure of Darrell K Royal, whose teams won multiple Southwest Conference championships and emphasized the Wishbone formation innovation shared with contemporaries at University of Oklahoma and University of Arkansas. The 1969–1970 seasons and the Royal-led 1963–1970 run built the foundation for later prominence. The program's modern era includes National Championship seasons under Darrell K Royal and the undefeated 2005 title by the 2005 team coached by Mack Brown, culminating in the legendary Rose Bowl victory over University of Southern California led by Reggie Bush and Pete Carroll. Recent decades feature coaching tenures from Mack Brown to Tommy Tuberville to Charlie Strong and the current staff led by Steve Sarkisian, with conference realignment discussions involving Big 12 Conference, Southeastern Conference, and other power-conference negotiations shaping scheduling.
Championships and postseason
Texas claims multiple national championships recognized by major selectors for seasons including 1963, 1969, 1970, and 2005, with consensus recognition for several seasons tied to polls like the Associated Press and Coaches Poll. The program has won numerous Southwest Conference and Big 12 Conference titles and has an extensive bowl history with appearances in the Cotton Bowl Classic, Rose Bowl Game, Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl, Alamo Bowl, and College Football Playoff and BCS-era games. Notable postseason victories include the 2006 Rose Bowl win over USC and multiple Cotton Bowl triumphs over teams such as Notre Dame and Baylor University. Individual postseason awards earned by personnel include Heisman Trophy winners and numerous Outland Trophy, Doak Walker Award, and Maxwell Award honorees.
Stadium and facilities
Home games are played at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium, located on the University of Texas at Austin campus near The Forty Acres and Lyndon B. Johnson Library and Museum. The complex includes practice fields, strength and conditioning centers, and the Darnall Medical Center-type athletic training facilities that host football operations. Renovations over the decades have added modern press boxes, suites, and video boards, with support from donors connected to University of Texas System fundraising and boosters like the Texas Exes and prominent alumni. Game-day capacity expansions and facility projects aimed to match upgrades at peer institutions such as University of Alabama and Ohio State University.
Traditions and culture
Traditions include the live longhorn steer mascot Bevo, the marching band's performance of "Texas Fight" and the Longhorn Band's Big Bertha drum, and the Hook 'em Horns hand signal used by fans. The Burnt Orange and white colors, the Hook 'em Horns chant, and the pregame "Eye of the Longhorns" pageantry are central to campus culture. Tailgating in areas like the The Drag and the stadium perimeter, alumni gatherings organized by the Texas Exes and regional Longhorn Network view parties, and rituals tied to rivalry games against Oklahoma Sooners and Texas A&M Aggies create a pervasive fan identity. The program's cultural impact extends into media through broadcasts on networks such as ESPN, Longhorn Network, and the historic coverage by ABC Sports.
Rivalries
Major rivalries include the Red River Showdown with Oklahoma Sooners played at the Cotton Bowl during the State Fair of Texas, the Lone Star intrastate rivalry with Texas A&M Aggies historically played as the Lone Star Showdown, and regional competitiveness with Baylor and TCU. Non-conference and historic rivalry games against Notre Dame Fighting Irish, USC, and Nebraska have featured prominently in defining seasons. Rivalry trophies, neutral-site classics, and conference realignment shifts have periodically altered annual matchups.
Notable players and coaches
Coaches of enduring prominence include Darrell K Royal, Mack Brown, Tom Landry (an alumnus and early coach influence), and Steve Sarkisian. Heisman Trophy winners and celebrated players include Earl Campbell, Ricky Williams, and Vince Young, each leaving legacies through collegiate accolades and professional careers with teams like the Tennessee Titans, Houston Oilers, New Orleans Saints, Miami Dolphins, and Tennessee Titans. Other All-Americans and NFL standouts include Chris Simms, Colt McCoy, Jordan Shipley, Brian Orakpo, J. J. Watt, Michael Huff, Jordan Shipley, and Hale Irwin (multi-sport alumnus). Coaching staff alumni have moved to programs and franchises such as University of Oklahoma, University of Alabama, Dallas Cowboys, and various Power Five staffs.
Program records and statistics
The program ranks among FBS leaders in all-time wins, conference championships, bowl appearances, and NFL draftees, with individual records in passing, rushing, and receiving held by players like Colt McCoy (passing yards), Ricky Williams (rushing yards), and Roy Williams (receiving touchdowns). Season and career statistical leaders appear in NCAA record books alongside conference leaders from the Big 12 Conference and former Southwest Conference. The Longhorns' all-time win percentage, streaks such as consecutive bowl appearances, and NFL Draft outcomes are tracked by college football statisticians and chronicled in media guides produced by the University of Texas at Austin athletics communications office.