The Texas Longhorns have been screaming “We’re back!” for years, but now, with the spotlight brighter than ever, it seems like they’re shying away from the stage. Spring football in Austin is usually a fiesta—a chance for fans to catch a glimpse of rising stars, for young guns to showcase their skills, and for the Longhorn faithful to rally behind their team. But this year, that spring spectacle might be canceled altogether. Word is swirling that Steve Sarkisian is seriously considering pulling the plug on the annual Orange-White Spring Game. Why? Part of it is about giving the team some much-needed rest after a grueling 16-game 2024 campaign, but there’s a deeper influence at play—one that traces all the way back to Lincoln, Nebraska.
The Matt Rhule Effect: Nebraska’s Paranoia Reaches Austin
Enter Matt Rhule, Nebraska’s head coach and the unexpected catalyst behind this growing anti-spring game sentiment. Rhule’s taken a hard stance against public spring games, citing the dark underbelly of college football’s NIL era—tampering, poaching, and the lure of big-money offers. Rhule didn’t mince words:
“I hate to say it like this… but last year, we were one of the more televised spring games, and I dealt with a lot of people offering our players a lot of opportunities after that.”
In Rhule’s eyes, these spring showcases aren’t just friendly scrimmages; they’re open invitations for rival programs and boosters to scout, recruit, and outright steal talent. But while Rhule’s defensive approach might make sense for a Nebraska squad still struggling to reclaim its former glory, should a powerhouse like Texas really follow suit?
Critics Pounce: Is Texas Dodging the Spotlight?
Not everyone’s buying the tampering excuse. In fact, many believe this is just a convenient way to dodge scrutiny. Shane and Mike, hosts of That SEC Podcast, absolutely torched both Rhule and Sarkisian for even considering canceling their spring games. Shane didn’t hold back:
“I don’t want to hear this s–t that we ain’t going to do spring games. Get off your a–, get out there, and entertain!”
And when it came to Rhule, Shane went nuclear:
“I think old d—–s up there in Nebraska was the first one that did this ‘cause he’s got a sh—y team, and he don’t want people to notice it until the fall.”
In their eyes, this isn’t about protecting players—it’s about hiding weaknesses. And now that Nebraska has paved the way, critics fear Texas is using the same playbook, despite having a roster that’s leagues ahead of the Huskers.
The $10 Million Elephant in the Room
Let’s be real: Steve Sarkisian isn’t coaching on a budget. With a salary north of $10 million a year, expectations are sky-high. Fans don’t just want results—they want access. They want to see the team up close, to feel connected to the program. And as Mike from That SEC Podcast pointed out, Sarkisian’s hefty paycheck comes with certain obligations:
“You getting paid over 10 million dollars, you could have a d–n spring game…. You know why he’s getting paid all that money? Because they’re getting paid through Disney, ESPN, and in those contracts, it says you have to have a spring game or at least some kind of televised content. It’s for the fans.”
And he’s not wrong. In today’s college football landscape, TV deals are the lifeblood of the sport. Spring games aren’t just scrimmages—they’re marketing tools, crucial for keeping the program in the national spotlight. Pulling the plug isn’t just a slap in the face to fans—it’s a potential financial disaster.
Sources: Steve Sarkisian considering a revamped spring football schedule that could include no spring game, via @ChipBrown247 https://t.co/4y2g5GXWQV #HookEm pic.twitter.com/xxrACUvf2N
— Horns247 (@Horns247) February 5, 2025
The Fans Are the Real Losers
Perhaps the biggest victims of this potential cancellation are the fans. For many, spring games are the only affordable way to experience college football in person. With rising ticket prices and expensive game-day experiences, regular-season games are out of reach for countless families. Shane summed it up perfectly:
“There’s many people… quite frankly, this sport is pricing them out of going to games on Saturday. A lot of fans, particularly ones with big families, this is how you introduce your family to college football—a spring game, a game that you can actually afford to take your family to.”
For those who can’t shell out thousands for season tickets, that spring scrimmage at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium is a cherished tradition—a chance to step onto sacred ground, even if just for a day. Canceling it cuts off a vital connection between the team and its supporters, and in a sport that thrives on community and tradition, that’s a dangerous move.
Is This the Start of a Trend?
If Nebraska and Texas both scrap their spring games, what’s stopping other programs from following suit? Former Georgia star and ESPN analyst David Pollack thinks this could be the start of something bigger:
“I would expect a lot of people to follow suit. This is the first, they’re probably the trendsetter of this. And I think more will follow because of the frustration with some people in the rosters.”
But not every program can afford to take that risk. For schools without the prestige or deep pockets of Texas, spring games are essential for building buzz and attracting recruits. If this trend catches on, it could fundamentally change how programs engage with fans and showcase their talent.
Despite the Drama, Sark’s Stock is Soaring
Even with the spring game drama, Steve Sarkisian’s star is still on the rise. According to On3 Sports, Sarkisian ranks No. 4 on their list of the Top 25 college football coaches—and for good reason. He’s led the Longhorns to back-to-back College Football Playoff appearances and assembled one of the most talented rosters in the nation.
With potential Heisman candidate Arch Manning waiting in the wings and a stacked lineup of offensive weapons, Texas is poised for a serious national title run. Xavier Worthy even threw Manning’s name into the Heisman conversation during Super Bowl LIX media week, adding more fuel to the hype train.
While the Longhorns haven’t hoisted a national championship trophy yet, Sarkisian has built a program that’s on the cusp of greatness. As On3’s Ari Wasserman put it:
“Sarkisian has assembled one of the deepest, most talented rosters in the country.”
Final Whistle: Tradition vs. Progress
At the heart of this controversy is a simple question: What matters more—protecting players or preserving tradition?
For fans, spring games are more than just a glimpse into the upcoming season—they’re a symbol of connection, community, and hope. For coaches like Matt Rhule and Steve Sarkisian, they’re now seen as potential risks in an era where NIL deals and tampering are reshaping the college football landscape.
But if Texas, one of the sport’s most iconic programs, is willing to abandon tradition, what does that say about the future of college football? Only time will tell if Sark’s gamble pays off, but one thing’s for sure—the fans won’t forget being left out in the cold.
