Steve Sarkisian shows appreciation for support from Texas Athletic Department during rough stretch

Premature or necessary, Texas trainer Steve Sarkisian is ready to accept the statements of support that come his way on another grueling stretch.

If the alternative strikes in during Longhorn’s longest losing streak – wear the one, check it out – 65 years. Texas (4-6, 3-5 Big 12) needs a Saturday win in West Virginia (4-6, 3-5) to continue its quest to be bowl-eligible and not get the holidays for the first time since 2016 To spend at home.

“I think it would of course be great on many fronts,” said Sarkisian at his media availability on Thursday. “A strong degree is important for our psyche and everyone involved.”

Sporting director Chris Del Conte began this week after the aftermath of the Kansas defeat with an almost 800-word open letter to fans that was both a vote of confidence in Sarkisian and a contested coaching staff.

Sarkisian praised the support he has received from Del Conte, President Jay Hartzell, and Chairman of the UT Regents Kevin Eltife – the triumvirate that selected him for the job.

“That’s just a great sign,” said Sarkisian. “So for CDC, to get that out, I think he generally feels that. And I can feel that from him, so that’s positive. “

Regardless, Del Conte offered a detailed breakdown of Texas’s ailments during a five-game skid, from wear and tear in two high-profile recruiting classes to a flu outbreak to major injuries.

“This is not meant to be blame or excuses; it’s just a fact that we have some real depth problems, “wrote Del Conte in an admission of a weakness that is hard to imagine former AD DeLoss Dodds ever made.

Plus, trust votes usually never end well in the long run, although Sarkisian doesn’t appear to be in jeopardy in his first season, not after signing a six-year deal.

To add to the confirmation, Eltife – who was primarily responsible for the firing of Tom Herman and the hiring of Sarkisian – made an unscheduled training visit on Wednesday.

“It wasn’t really a talk with the team or anything,” Sarkisian continued. “He had some business to do and I had the opportunity to say hello to him. … “At the end of the day it was great to see him. He supports what we do. “

Sarkisian may need more than moral support in West Virginia.

The Longhorns will do without the standout Bijan Robinson, who stormed 1,127 yards before suffering a dislocated elbow in the Kansas loss, and defender Josh Thompson. The Mountaineers are just as grumpy and desperate as Texas. Roschon Johnson running back to get the most carries against WVU despite persistent turf-toe problems.

“I’ll be ready to go on Saturday,” said Johnson. “My body did better than expected when I went into the game last Saturday. I’m on the right track. “

Back is receiver Jordan Whittington, who had 24 receptions in six games before breaking his collarbone against Oklahoma.

Much of the discussion – at least that part didn’t involve the coaching staff – revolved around player buy-in, a new staff, and a nightmarish series of lost leaderships against Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Baylor.

Johnson was among the players the coaches endorsed this week.

“I’ve got the feeling that since you’ve been here you’ve been teaching all players the right mindset,” said Johnson. “It’s about us buying and implementing what they set out to do.”

Despite all of the losses, controversies, and distractions, Sarkisian sees no sign that his players have emotionally checked him or the season.

“All I feel about our boys is they keep coming back to work,” said Sarkisian. “You keep competing. They still want to. You still hurt. The thing that would be worrying is when it doesn’t hurt. … “I don’t feel that with our players. I feel a lot of pain, I feel a lot of anger, I feel a lot of frustration. That’s because they take care of it. “

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