Texas Longhorns football
Encyclopedia
The Texas Longhorns football program is the intercollegiate football
team representing The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
. The team currently competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big 12 Conference
which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Texas is one of the most prestigious and historic football programs of all time. In 2008, ESPN
ranked the Texas Longhorns the seventh most prestigious college football program since 1936. The program began in 1893 and is one of the winningest football programs of all time. At the end of 2010 season, Texas' all-time record is 850–325–33 (.723) which ranks third among wins in football in NCAA history, behind Michigan and Yale (Division I-FCS). Texas is also recognized for their post-season appearances ranking second in number of bowl game
appearances (49), ranked sixth in bowl game victories
, and eighth in total number of games played (1208). From 1936 to 2010, the Longhorn football teams have received poll rankings 64 out of 75 seasons (85% of the time), finishing these seasons ranked in the top twenty-five 47 times and the top ten 28 times, in either the Associated Press
or the Coaches Poll
since the polls began in 1936. Since the polls began Texas has won four recognized Division I-A national championships (1963
, 1969
, 1970
, and 2005) and 32 conference championships. 129 (53 consensus & 22 unanimous) Texas players have been named to All-America
football teams while two Longhorn players have won the Heisman Trophy
, college football's highest individual honor: Earl Campbell
(1977) and Ricky Williams
(1998). Seventeen Longhorns have been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame
, while four are enshrined in the NFL Hall of Fame. Other Longhorn players have also received recognition for their performance. The Texas Longhorn football program has had at least one player selected in each of the last 71 NFL Draft
s dating back to 1938
. The team is currently coached by Mack Brown and games are played at Darrell K Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX.
After the inaugural season Texas officially hired its first coach
, R.D. Wentworth
, for $325 plus expenses. Wentworth shut out the first six opponents, outscoring them 191–0 before miserably losing their final game to Missouri
28–0. There were a number of firsts in Wentworth's one and only season as head coach at Texas. Texas' first ever meeting against Texas A&M
occurred in 1894 and resulted in a 38–0 shutout victory for Texas in Austin. Texas also faced Arkansas
in the first meeting between the two schools in 1894. The game resulted in a 54–0 shutout victory for Texas as well. These two firsts set the ground for the long extensive rivalries with the Aggies and the Razorbacks over the next century in which Texas would dominate both series with the two schools including several anticipated games. Texas quickly established itself as a winning tradition in its first seven years of football going 36–11–2. In 1900, Texas also had its first ever meeting with Oklahoma
, a 28–2 victory for Texas. The lopsided win for Texas was the beginning of one of college football's most heated rivalries to date. Texas also began rivalries with TCU, Texas A&M, Baylor, and Vanderbilt teams during this time where Texas quickly became the powerhouse and favored team. The Texas football program quickly rose to prominence during the early 1900s with winning records each season including undefeated seasons in 1900, 1914, 1918, and 1920. Over the next 30 years Texas had a slew of coaches none with a tenure longer than four years, however the University of Texas football team's record over this tumultuous period was an astounding 207–57–12, quickly becoming one of the winningest college football programs at the time. Texas was also selected as National Champions in 1914 by the Billingsley Report Ratings and again in 1918 by the Cliff Morgan Ratings when both teams went undefeated. Texas participated in the Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association
from 1913–1917 winning two titles in 1913 and 1914 with a 7–1 and 8–0 record those years. In 1915, Texas joined the upstart Southwest Conference winning the conference championship in 1916 and 1918. Texas then won their first, outright SWC Championship in 1920 with an undefeated record. 1920 was also the year in which the Texas-Texas A&M rivalry took hold with this historical meeting as both teams entered the game undefeated and unscored on that season. 20,000 onlookers (the largest in state history at the time) witnessed Texas defeat Texas A&M, 7–3 on Thanksgiving Day. The game gave the Aggies their first loss in two years and closed another undefeated season for Texas.
was the first superstar to both play for and coach the Longhorns. In his first season as head coach, he led Texas to a 6–2–1 record, bettering Edward Stewarts previous record of 5–4. His first season included a hard fought victory over a then tough Vanderbilt
team in Dallas 13–6. During his second season, he won the SWC in 1928 going 7–2 including huge shutout wins over TCU and Texas A&M. Littlefield also won another SWC Championship in 1930 and led his team to a near perfect 8–1–1 record. The 1930 season was most remembered by the 98 yard touchdown drive against Oklahoma where both teams were tied 7–7 going into the fourth quarter. Texas managed to tack on a field goal to put the game away, 17–7 and their fourth straight win over the Sooners at the time. The 1930 team was selected as the National Champion that year by several sportswriters however the school does not officially recognize this year. Littlefield almost captured another SWC Title in 1932 by finishing 8–2 but lost to SWC foe, Texas Christian University. Throughout the 1930s Texas' main in-conference foe was TCU as both teams sought after recruits within the state. Coach Littlefield only had one losing season, in 1933, mainly due to younger players and injuries to starters. From 1893–1932 Texas had 40 consecutive winning seasons. After finishing the 1933 season 4–5–2, the Longhorns first losing season in program history, many people called for his resignation. He resigned as the Longhorns football coach but stayed on as a very successful track coach. To this day, he is still the 5th winningest coach for the University of Texas with a record of 44–18–6.
After the resignation Jack Chevigny
, a national celebrity and ex-Notre Dame
player, was hired in 1934. His first season as head coach included a stunning victory over Notre Dame, 7–6, in South Bend, Indiana
which was considered the greatest moment of his career and one of Texas' biggest victories at the time. After his initial winning season of 7–2–1(often credited to Littlefield), his career at Texas came crashing down when the Longhorns went 4–6 in 1935 and 2–6–1 in 1936 after which he resigned. Chevigny's coaching tenure never fully developed after the victory at Notre Dame. After his resignation he joined the Marine Corps as many people enlisted during the early stages of World War II. Chevigny died as a United States Marine Corps first lieutenant in the battle of Iwo Jima during World War II. Another legend surrounding Chevigny is that, after the 1934 victory over Notre Dame, he had been presented a fountain pen with the inscription "To Jack Chevigny, a Notre Dame boy who beat Notre Dame," and that on September 2, 1945, the pen was discovered in the hands of one of the Japanese envoys on the U.S.S. Missouri; and that the inscription was changed to read, "To Jack Chevigny, a Notre Dame boy who gave his life for his country in the spirit of old Notre Dame."[3] To this day, Chevigny is the only head football coach in Texas history with a losing record of 13–14–2.
. In the middle of the Great Depression
, Texas courted and hired Bible from his successful head coaching job at the University of Nebraska, to be the coach and athletics director at The University of Texas. Dana X. Bible had tremendous success at Nebraska and previously Texas A&M. It was a bold move by the university and a decision that would lay the foundation for the Texas Football program for years to come. The Bible era debuted in 1937 with a 25–12 victory over Texas Tech in Austin. Fans were anxious to witness Texas once again dominate the college football scene however the program would be in a transition period for a short time, but with the experience that Bible brought Texas was again recruiting good athletes. After two initial rough seasons where Texas only won three games, Bible successfully transformed Texas into a national powerhouse. The 1939 season would prove different as Texas opened with a shutout win over Florida 12–0. Then the turning point came in October 1939 when Texas was playing Arkansas
in Austin. Down 13–7 with under 30 seconds to play, and with many fans heading for the stadium exits, Texas fullback R.B. Patrick flipped a short pass to Texas' halfback Jack Crain
and ran 67 yards untouched for the score in the waning seconds of the game to tie Arkansas at 13. Those same fans that were leaving the stadium came pouring back in and onto the field. After the field was cleared Crain booted the extra point and Texas defeated Arkansas 14–13. This game became known as the "Renaissance Game" of the Dana X. Bible era, and the win revitalized the Texas football program in 1939. National championship talks began thereafter when Texas compiled their first All-American's with Malcolm Kutner, Jack Crain, and Noble Doss. The 1939 season was pivotal in providing momentum for the following decade as Texas would again become one of the winningest teams throughout the 1940s. After an 8–2 season in 1940 where Noble Doss made the infamous "Impossible Catch" to set up Texas' 7–0 victory over Texas A&M kept the Aggies from repeating as National Champions and appearing in the Rose Bowl. Bible then led the Longhorns to their 1st No. 1 ranking in 1941 during the season and finished the year 8–1–1 where many sportswriters named the 1941 team National Champions however they were not selected by the AP Poll
that year. Texas anxiously awaited their opportunity to receive a Rose Bowl bid having turned down bids from the Cotton, Orange, and Sugar Bowls that year. Rose Bowl officials elected not to award the bid to Texas since they had one remaining game against Oregon, who had already lost to Oregon State earlier that year. After not being awarded the bid, Texas then took out its frustration on Oregon, overwhelming them 71–7. The Longhorns of 1941 were featured on the cover of Life Magazine, and are still to this day considered one of the greatest Texas teams of all time. In 1942, Bible led Texas to a 9–2 season record and their first ever bowl game where the Longhorns represented the Southwest Conference in the 1943 Cotton Bowl Classic. Texas defeated the highly ranked Georgia Tech
14–7 in the game and this would be the first of 22 appearances in the Cotton Bowl Classic for Texas. Previous to the game, radio announcers in Georgia proclaimed that Texas did not belong in the same league as Georgia Tech. In 1943, Bible again led Texas to the SWC Conference Title and another Cotton Bowl Classic
berth where they faced the only military institute to play in that bowl game, a 7–7 tie with Randolph Field. Bible's teams went 32–6–2 from 1940–1943. 1944 was a reloading year for the Horns as many starters graduated the previous season or were serving in the military. A young quarterback named Bobby Layne took over the starting position and again Texas was dominating its opponents. In 1945, with the help of legendary quarterback Bobby Layne
, and All-American Hub Bechtol, Bible led the Longhorn to their first 10 victory season which ended in a dramatic 40–27 Cotton Bowl Classic
victory over Missouri
of which Lane score all 40 points. The 1945 team was even selected by several sportswriters as the National Champion, but again the AP poll did not select them. The following year in 1946 Texas was picked as the pre-season number 1 team again, but 2 losses dropped them in the polls. 1946 was highlighted with a dominating victory over #1 Oklahoma. Bible's final season as head coach in 1946 resulted in an 8–2 record, going out with a 24–7 win over rival Texas A&M. Over his tenure at Texas, Bible acquired 3 SWC titles in 1942, 1943, 1945, two Cotton Bowl Classic victories with a post season record of 2–0–1 while the teams of 1941 and 1945 were selected as National Champions by various polling organizations. In 1946 Bible retired from coaching but stayed on as athletic director and is credited for the hiring of the legendary Darrell Royal. Bible is still to this day the 4th winningest coach in Texas history with a record of 63–31–3 and responsible for revitalizing the Texas football program as a national powerhouse. Despite not winning a recognized national championship, the legendary Bible laid the foundation for the Texas football program and for future head coaches. Through his "Bible Plan", he inspired his players not only to succeed on the field but also to succeed in the classroom and in life. He is credited for originally revitalizing the Texas football program in the late 1930s and regarded as the first legendary head coach for the Texas football program. His teams of the late 1930s and throughout the 1940s are still regarded as some of the best in school history.
in 1947. Cherry in 1947 with a veteran squad, including All-American quarterback Bobby Layne
, led the Longhorns to a near-perfect record of 10–1, defeating No. 6 Alabama
27–7 in the Sugar Bowl
and finished the year ranked fifth nationally in his first season of 1947. The 1947 season saw Texas defeat rival Oklahoma for the eighth straight season. The 1947 team was even selected as National Champions by the Massey Ratings, but again the AP poll did not select them. Cherry's 1948 team led by fullback, Tom Landry
, went 7–3–1, including a 41–28 win over No. 8 Georgia
in the Orange Bowl
. Cherry's 1950 team was considered one of the best in Texas history highlighted by a 23–20 win over #1 SMU where Texas held their number one leading rusher with a negative 27 yards. Only a one point loss to Oklahoma kept Texas from a perfect season that year. Texas went on to win the SWC title going 9–2 overall and was ranked No. 3 nationally, however during mid-season Cherry announced that he would be leaving Texas to enter the oil business at the conclusion of the 1950 season. When Cherry quit he suffered from an ulcer
and insomnia
and later disclosed that the over-emphasis on winning led to his resignation. During his 4 year reign Cherry was 32–10–1 leading the Longhorns to three bowl games (two victorious) and two of top-five national rankings. The 1950 team was also selected as National Champions by several polls, but AP poll kept Texas ranked third.
After Cherry’s abrupt resignation, Ed Price was promoted to head coach in 1951. In his first three seasons, Price carried over the success of Bible and Cherry, leading the Longhorns to three winning seasons from 1951–1953, a shutout 16–0, victory over Tennessee
in the Cotton Bowl Classic, and two SWC titles. From 1939–1953 Texas had dominated the college football scene with a record of 115–35–3 (77%), but in 1954 Texas went 4–5–1, its first losing season in 15 years. 1954 started off with a 20–6 victory over LSU however the season was downhill from that point as Texas went 4–5–1. The 1955 season did not fare any better as Texas went 5–5 on the season. The Price era never kept the Texas football program up to their standards of earlier decades. The program went from one of college footballs top ranked and winningest programs to one of the worst in one season. After capping a string of three losing seasons with a 1–9 season (the worst record in the school's history) in 1956, Price tendered his resignation in 1956. Price compiled a record of 33–27–1 in six seasons.
and Washington
before being hired by Athletic Director Dana X. Bible for the head coaching job at Texas. With the guidance of former head coach Bible, Royal was tasked with bringing Texas back to prominence in 1957. He was destined to take the program to an even higher level. The Royal era of Texas football debuted in 1957 with a 26–7 win at Georgia. In Royal's first season he immediately turned things around for the program, taking the previous 1–9 Longhorns to 6–4–1 in 1957 the quickest turn-around among NCAA teams. The '57 Longhorns obtained a #11 ranking, defeated a highly ranked Texas A&M team 9–7, and played in the Sugar Bowl
. The following year proved even better as Texas went 7–3 in 1958. The immediate turnaround by Royal was praised heavily by Texas fans and the media. In 1959 Texas opened the season with a 20–0 victory over Nebraska in Lincoln. Texas also defeated #2 Oklahoma 15–14 to end a six game losing streak to their rival and posted a 9–1 record in 1959 along with a Cotton Bowl Classic berth against Syracuse
. Royal's teams of the 1960s and 1970s are regarded as some of the best in school history. The Texas team of 1961 posted a 10–1 record, achieved a #1 ranking along with a Cotton Bowl Classic victory and the team of 1962 posted a 9–1–1 record with a Cotton Bowl Classic berth. In his seventh season, Royal, with the help of star linebacker Tommy Nobis
and quarterback Duke Carlisle, led Texas to their first officially recognized National Championship in 1963
posting a perfect 11–0 record with a 28–6 victory over Navy
in the Cotton Bowl Classic. Prior to the game Pittsburgh sports writer Myron Cope said, "Tune in your television to the Cotton Bowl and you'll laugh yourself silly. Texas is the biggest fraud ever perpetrated on the football public." Darrell Royal was asked about his comments moments before taking the field. Royal smiled, looked into the camera and said, "We're ready" and Texas went on to dominate the Navy team. The following year, 1964, was almost perfect. Texas was again ranked number 1 during the season only to lose by one point to arch-rival Arkansas 13–14. Texas went 10–1 on the season and beat Joe Namath
and #1 Alabama
in the Orange Bowl
, 21–17 with a famous last second goal line stand keeping Namath out of the endzone in the first televised bowl game at night. Royal's teams of the early 1960s went 40–3–1. The next three seasons posted a 19–12 win-loss record, but in 1968 Royal became the first coach to install the Wishbone formation
in the backfield led by a group of players that became known as the "Worster Bunch" consisting of All-American's Steve Worster
, James Street
, Billy Dale, Chris Gilbert
, and Cotton Speyrer
. With this powerful new offense in effect the 1968 team went 9–1–1 with a demolishing 36–13 victory over Tennessee in the Cotton Bowl Classic, one of the most complete and lopside wins in all statistics since the 1941 win over Oregon, 71–7. With the momentum carried over from the previous season, Texas began the 1969 season
by defeating all opponents by an average score of 44 points. The final game of the regular season had #1 Texas against #2 Arkansas in the true "Game of the Century"
for the 100th year of college football. The game saw Arkansas leading throughout the game when the Longhorns came from behind in the 4th quarter to win 15–14, capturing their second officially recognized National Championship in which President Richard Nixon declared Texas the champion after the game. Texas would then go on to face and defeat Notre Dame in the 1970 Cotton Bowl Classic
which solified Texas' place as the #1 team that year. This was also the Irish's first bowl game since 1924. In 1970 Texas again was ranked #1 throughout the season. One of the most memorable games was against UCLA in Austin. With the Bruins leading 17–13 and less than 30 seconds left in the game, Texas quarterback Eddie Phillips hit receiver Cotton Spreyer over midfield and sprinted untouched for the winning score 20–17 with only three seconds left in the game. Texas finished undefeated when they defeated Arkansas 42–7 capturing their third recognized National Championship in 1970. The Longhorns record from 1968–1970 was an amazing 30–2–1, which included winning 30 straight games. Texas was also in the hunt for national titles again in 1972. Royal described his team of '72 as "average as a day's wash" before the season began. Only a loss to Oklahoma kept the team from finishing unbeaten that season. One of the main highlights of the season was the final game against Alabama in the 1973 Cotton Bowl where Texas quarterback Marty Atkins ran the bootleg to perfection in a come from behind 17–13 win over the Crimson Tide. In 1975 Texas was in place to win the Southwest crown outright but a loss to Texas A&M at the end of the season sent Texas to the Bluebonnet bowl, a 38–21 victory over Colorado with a top with top 5 ranking. Royal is also credited for winning the Southwest Conference Title six years in a row from 1968–1973 along with six straight Cotton Bowl Classic appearances. He successfully revitalized the Texas football program in 1957 and put the team back to national prominence over the next 20 seasons. Over the course of his 20 year career DKR never had a losing season, led the Longhorns to 3 National Championships, 11 Southwest Conference Titles, 16 bowl games, and 9 top 5 poll rankings, 15 top 25 poll rankings, 30 straight victories, 42 straight home victories in Austin from 1968–1976, and a record of 167–47–5 which till this day is the winningest coach ever to coach at the University of Texas. His final game at Texas was against Arkansas in Austin at the end of the 1976 season. Texas won convincingly 29–12 in his final game. After retiring from coaching football in 1976, Royal continued his role as athletic director until retiring in 1980. In 1996 the University of Texas officially honored him by renaming Texas Memorial Stadium to the Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium.
who has had some success at Wyoming
. With his new staff, implementation of the "I" formation
, and some help from future Heisman trophy
winner Earl Campbell
; Akers led the '77 Longhorns to 11–0 and would have acquired UT's 4th recognized National Championship if not for a loss to Notre Dame
in the Cotton Bowl Classic. The following year Texas went 9–3 on the season including a 42–0 whipping of Maryland
in the Sun Bowl
. 1979 had high hopes for the Longhorn faithful as Texas was again in the hunt for a national championship. Only a loss to Texas A&M in the final game of the season kept Texas from playing Alabama
in the Sugar Bowl
that year. In 1980 members of the Southwest Conference decided to revise the game schedule and kicked off the new decade with Texas and Arkansas playing at the beginning of the season to commemorate a rivalry that was dominated by Texas. Texas again knocked off Arkansas 23–17 to start the new decade and once again reached the number 1 spot in the AP poll for a period of three weeks before losing at home to SMU. After a few winning seasons, Akers once again almost captured a National Championship in 1981 by beating Alabama in the Cotton Bowl Classic, a remarkable 4th quarter comeback effort where Texas won 14–12 and landed his team at #2 in the final polls. The 1982 season had high hopes for the Horns once again but 2 losses during the regular season kept Texas from playing for the title. A 33–7 victory over Arkansas
in 1982 closed the season for Texas and they carried that momentum over the following year. In 1983 Akers had his Texas team on the hunt for a National Championship that had eluded him twice before and led the Longhorn to an 11–0 season ranked #2 behind Nebraska the entire season. Texas went on to win the Southwest Conference again and faced Georgia
in the Cotton Bowl Classic. Texas managed to hold a 9–3 led throughout the entire game despite entering Georgia's territory seven times. Only a muffed punt in the wanning seconds of the game gave Georgia the momentum they would need to defeat Texas 10–9. Later that evening, Miami would go on to stun top-ranked Nebraska in the Orange Bowl 31–30 and win the 1983 National Championship. Akers teams from 1981–1983 produced an incredible 30–5–1 record over three seasons. The 1984 season had Texas once again ranked #1 in the polls but soon dropped after a tie with Oklahoma and 3 straight losses to end the season. A year later Texas was once again ranked in the top ten but finished the season with a disappointing 8–4 record. During his career at Texas he was praised for his winning seasons but drew ire from the Longhorn faithful for not winning a national championship. From 1957–1985 Texas continued to have winning seasons. In 1986, Akers had his first losing season 5–6 due to many key injuries.And having two of the countries best running backs from high school being freshmen that year, Eric Metcalf, from Bishop O'Connell high school, Arlington County, Virginia,and Andrew Jastal, from Santa Fe high school, Santa Fe, Texas. This was Texas' first losing season since 1956. After nine winning seasons, nine bowl games, 2 SWC titles, and 1 Heisman trophy winner; Akers' tenure ended at the University of Texas with a 86–31–2 record, 3rd best in UT's history.
victory over Pittsburgh
in 1987, McWilliams initially reminded people of Darrel K. Royal. However, after two losing season of 4–7 in 1988 and 5–6 in 1989, the luster had worn off. But after an opening victory of Penn State
in 1990 McWilliams began the "Shock the Nation" tour leading his team to 10–1, only losing to the eventual 1990 National Champions, Colorado
. The 1990 Longhorns went to the Cotton Bowl Classic where they were defeated by Miami
. After the 1990 season, many Texas fans had hope of National Championship in 1991, but were eventually disappointed when Texas finished with a 5–6 record which caused McWilliams to resign. At the end of his coaching career McWilliams led Texas to 2 bowl games, 1 SWC title, and a 31–26 record. The period of the late 1980s and early 1990s would be detrimental to all footall programs in the Southwest Conference. At that time all schools were under scrutiny with the NCAA as sancations were handed due to violations of NCAA regulations and recruiting rules. The school that would suffer the most from the infractions was the SMU Football program as they were handed the death penalty from the NCAA in which there would be no team for two years and no games would be televised. The sanction handed to SMU would prove pivotal for other Southwest Conference schools as blue-chip recruits in the state of Texas would begin signing letters of intent to play in schools outside of the Southwest Conference and the state of Texas.
The forcing out of David McWilliams, allowed Texas to hire John Mackovic
as head coach from Illinois
. Having coached in the NFL for the Kansas City Chiefs
and the Dallas Cowboys
, Mackovic brought a fresh perspective to Texas. He had a great ability to recruit fresh talent, like future Heisman Trophy
winner Ricky Williams
. Mackovic also pushed to renovate the University's facilities, which offended some of his supporters. Mackovic was determined to rebuild the Longhorns from the ground up. In 1992 and 1993, the Horns went 6–5 (but were not bowl eligible due to one win over a D1-AA school), and 5–5–1 respectively. The Longhorns began to see some hope in 1994, when they finished the regular season 7–4 and shared the SWC title. Texas also won its first bowl game in 7 years at the Sun Bowl
in a come form behind victory against North Carolina
. In 1995, the Horns went 10–1–1 under Mackovic, won the final SWC title outright and earned a bid to the Sugar Bowl
against Virginia Tech
. The 1995 season was the final year of the Southwest Conference due to the various infractions and recruiting violations as all schools disbanded from the conference and joined other established conferences. Throughout the 80 year history of the conference Texas was the most dominant football program in its history, winning 27 conference championships and representing the champion in the Cotton Bowl Classic a record 22 times. 1996 brought about the formation of the new Big 12 Conference
and new talks about Texas winning a National Championship. But after going 4–3, the Horns struggled just to stay bowl eligible. Texas then rallied winning 5 straight games which would earn them the Big 12 South Crown. The first season of the Big 12 included an upset victory in the inaugural Big 12 Championship Game over then two-time defending National Champion, Nebraska
where the famous fourth and inches call "roll left" occurred as Texas quarterback James Brown rolled to his left and passed to Derek Lewis for 61 yards as Texas won 37–27. The game was considered the most stunning upset college football game of the 1990s. Texas earned the automatic bid to the Fiesta Bowl
where they faced Penn State
. The close of the 1996 season and the five straight wins propelled by a high powered offense led by James Brown gave Texas fans high hopes for the 1997 season. In the opener, Texas defeated Rutgers but lost starting quarterback James Brown to an ankle injury. The following week Texas faced UCLA, their first meeting since a 28–10 win for Texas in 1971. After an embarrassing 66–3 loss to UCLA
Texas went into a downward spiral and never fully recovered. The team finished the 1997 season at 4–7, their worst in over 50 years. After the season head coach John Mackovic was reassigned within the athletic department leaving his UT coaching record at 41–28–2.
. The BCS created a series of elite bowls in an attempt to pick a consensus National Champion. Since 1998, the Longhorns have been coached by Mack Brown
who came to Texas after being head coach at North Carolina
. Immediately after being hired on Brown would begin the rebuilding process by conducting a speaking tour through many Texas High Schools in order to turn around the relationship with coaches and schools that had previously been blocked out by previous head coaches. His ideas and ability to recruit would prove pivotal to the first several years in his position. He immediately reminded people of former coach Darrell Royal and some even compared him to the late Dana X. Bible. Brown's first season was an incredible turnaround from the disappointing 4–7 1997 season. The Mack Brown era officially debuted with a 66–36 lopsided win over New Mexico State in Austin. Texas was able to build on that momentum winning six straight including an upset win Nebraska
, 20–16, in Lincoln, NE; which snapped the Cornhuskers streak of 48 straight home victories. After a 26–24 last minute win over rival Texas A&M
, Texas went on to face and dominate Mississippi State
in the 1999 Cotton Bowl Classic, their first New Years Bowl victory since 1981. After a great start in 1998, the talk of national championships began in 1999. However, the talk quickly died after a rocky start, but Texas rebounded with a huge third straight victory over #3 Nebraska in Austin and finished the season 9–5. The 2000 season had many people speaking of a championship run with the loaded talent recruited from the previous year. There were growing pains during the season as Texas finished 2nd in the Big 12 and 9–3 overall. In 2001, Texas went 10–1 on the season and was heading towards a National Championship appearance against Miami but were upset in the Big 12 Championship by Colorado
, who they had previously beaten soundly in the regular season. Texas finished the year with an exciting shoot-out win in the Holiday Bowl over Washington, finishing the season 11–2 ranked in the top five. In 2002, Texas was again ranked in the top 5 of the polls with hopes of another championship run. Two conference losses set Texas back in the polls where they finished 11–2, beat LSU in the Cotton Bowl, and finished in the top five. After the 2003 season, Brown had a 59–18 (77%) win-loss record but had not managed to win the Big 12 conference or to lead the Longhorns to a Bowl Championship Series
game. He was often lauded for his recruiting while being criticized for failing to win the big games and most importantly, championships. Texas would finish the 2003 season with a 10–3 record again finishing 2nd in the Big 12 conference. The 2004 Texas Longhorn football team
became that first championship team for Mack Brown by going 10–1 and playing in their first BCS Game
, the 2005 Rose Bowl
, against the Wolverines
of the University of Michigan the first meeting between the two teams. The Longhorns defeated the Wolverines 38–37 on a successful 37-yard field goal by place kicker Dusty Mangum
as time expired. It was the first time the Rose Bowl
had ever been decided on the closing play. The Rose Bowl victory earned the 11–1 Longhorns a top 5 finish in the polls for the season.
The 2005 Texas Longhorn football team
was given a pre-season #2 ranking (behind defending National Champions University of Southern California
) which they maintained throughout the entire 2005 regular season. Texas was tested early against #4 ranked Ohio State in Columbus, OH which was also the very first meeting between the two historical football programs. Prior to the game Buckeye linebacker, Bobby Carpenter, was quoted saying "our goal is to make sure that Vince Young is no longer a Heisman candidate after he leaves here." The #2 Longhorns went on to defeat Ohio State 25–22 at the Horseshoe in at Columbus, OH. However, throughout the remainder of the season, Texas dominated every team they faced including a 45–12 victory over Oklahoma which ended the five year losing streak to their arch-rival. The 12–0, undefeated #2 Texas would face #1 undefeated USC in the BCS National Championship at the Rose Bowl. During the month of preparation for the BCS National Championship Game
, ESPN
ran a series of 11 specials listing the 2005 USC Trojans second among the greatest college football teams of all time, while the 2005 Texas Longhorns were never listed nor mentioned. Texas won 41–38 in the final 20 seconds of regulation by a Vince Young
rushing touchdown on 4th down and 5, giving the Longhorns a perfect 13–0 season and an undisputed National Championship. Vince Young (who did not win a Heisman) had beaten USC, Matt Leinart
(2004 Heisman Trophy winner) and Reggie Bush
(2005 Heisman Trophy winner, who dominated in votes, while Vince Young placed second). The wins and awards accumulated by USC during the Reggie Bush era that seemed to justify such attention have been vacated due to NCAA violations.
The 2006 Texas Longhorn football team
hoped to repeat as national champions even though quarterback Vince Young elected to go the NFL early which left freshman Colt McCoy
as the starting quarterback. After an early loss to Ohio State
, the Longhorns with Colt McCoy at the helm went into November undefeated in Big 12 play. But in a game against Kansas State
, Colt McCoy suffered a neck injury on a quarterback sneak
which led to a 45–42 Texas loss. This was followed by a 12–7 upset loss against Texas A&M, when Colt was again knocked out of the game. As a result of these losses, Longhorns played in the Alamo Bowl
and defeated Iowa
26–24, ending the 2006 season with a 10–3 record.
Texas entered the 2007 season ranked in the Top 10 but then suffered back-to-back losses to Kansas State
(41–21) and Oklahoma
(28–21). Texas surged back winning the next 5 games in a row and appeared to be poised to gain a BCS bowl berth, however, a 30–38 loss to Texas A&M
dashed these hopes. The 2007 Longhorns
finished the season 10–3 with a demolishing victory over Arizona State, 52–34, in the 2007 Holiday Bowl
. The Longhorns had problems off the field that culminated in the 2007 Texas Longhorns football suspensions
.
The 2008 Texas Longhorns
started the season ranked eleventh nationally but moved to fifth and then first after beating Oklahoma
. They retained their number one status by beating top ranked #11 Missouri
and #7 Oklahoma State
, until the Longhorns lost to #6 undefeated Texas Tech
on a last second, game winning pass from Graham Harrell
to Michael Crabtree
. A later loss by the Texas Tech Red Raiders to the Oklahoma Sooners caused a three way tie in the Big 12 South, between Texas, Tech, and OU each with only one loss to each other. The Big 12 tiebreaker would be decided by who was ranked highest in the final BCS
standings. When released and the Sooners were ahead of the Longhorns by .0128 points, sending the Sooners to the Big 12 Championship Game and eventually the BCS National Championship Game
, and the Longhorns to the Fiesta Bowl
. At the conclusion of the regular season, Colt McCoy
was one of the three finalists for the Heisman trophy
along with Tim Tebow
and Sam Bradford
who won the 2008 trophy. On January 5, 2009, the 3rd ranked University of Texas defeated 10th ranked Ohio State
, 24–21, in the Fiesta Bowl
the third meeting between the two schools. With under a minute to play, Texas WR Quan Cosby
caught the game winning touchdown, ending the Longhorn's season with a 12–1 record at number 3 in the AP Poll.
The 2009 Texas team went undefeated (13–0) in the regular season and played Nebraska
in the Big 12 Championship Game which they won 13–12 by a last second Hunter Lawrence
field goal, becoming the 2009 Big 12 Champions. The #2 Longhorns later faced #1 Alabama
in the 2010 BCS National Championship Game
. Beginning with the sixth play of the first drive for Texas, true freshman quarterback Garrett Gilbert
would play due to an early shoulder injury to Heisman-nominated starting quarterback Colt McCoy
. Gilbert brought the team within 3 points in the fourth quarter, however Texas would eventually lose the game 37–21. Colt McCoy
was not only the winningest quarterback of Mack Brown's tenure, but also the winningest quarterback in NCAA history with 45 wins.
In 2010, after losing six players to the NFL Draft
, the Texas Longhorns suffered their worst season under Mack Brown, going 5–7 and finishing last in the Big 12 South. The 2010 season was a pivotal point in the Brown era where the string of nine 10 or more win seasons came to an end. The only signature win of the season was a 20–13 upset in Lincoln over Nebraska in their final in-conference match-up.
The Longhorns have played their home games in Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium (formerly just "Memorial Stadium" and "Texas Memorial Stadium") on Joe Jamail Field since 1924. The stadium is located on the campus of The University of Texas in Austin, Texas. The current official stadium
capacity
is 100,119, making it the largest football venue in the state of Texas, the largest in the Big 12 Conference
, the fifth largest on-campus stadium in the NCAA
, and the seventh largest non-racing stadium in the world.
The stadium has been expanded several times since its original opening, and now includes 100,119 permanent seats, the nation's first high definition video display in a collegiate facility nicknamed "Godzillatron
," and a newly renovated Joe Jamail Field with FieldTurf
. The current DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium and Big 12 attendance record was set on September 25, 2010, as 101,437 spectators saw Texas lose to UCLA
34–12.
The final planned phase of the stadium's expansion includes the construction of permanent seating and an upper deck in the south end zone, completely enclosing the playing field. The stadium's seating capacity is expected to reach 112,000 once the south end zone is fully enclosed, which would mean DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium would surpass Michigan Stadium
as the largest football stadium in North America. However, the date of the final construction phase to fully enclose the south end zone has not been set nor have any funds been raised. Varying sources claim this phase may not take place for upwards of 10 to 15 years.
Before the Longhorns football team moved to DKR, they played their home games at Clark Field
from 1894 to 1924. Clark Field was a wooden-structured stadium located on the University of Texas campus. The Longhorns last game at Clark Field before moving to brand new Memorial Stadium occurred on October 25, 1924. The Longhorns battled the Florida Gators to a 7–7 tie that day.
) were in favor of royal blue. By 1899, a UT fan could have worn any of yellow, orange, white, red, maroon, or even blue.
The Board of Regents held an election in that year to decide the team colors. Students, faculty, staff and alumni were asked vote. 1,111 votes were cast, with 562 in favor of orange and white. Orange and maroon received 310, royal blue 203, crimson 10, and royal blue and crimson 11. For the next thirty years, Longhorn teams wore bright orange on their uniforms, which faded to yellow by the end of the season. By the 1920s, other teams sometimes called the Longhorn squads "yellow bellies," a term that didn't sit well with the athletic department. In 1928, UT football coach Clyde Littlefield
ordered uniforms in a darker shade of orange that wouldn't fade, which would later become known as "burnt orange" or "Texas orange." The dark-orange color was used until the dye became too expensive during the Great Depression
, and the uniforms reverted to the bright orange for another two decades, until coach Darrell K. Royal revived the burnt-orange color in the early 1960s.
For the 2009 Lone Star Showdown, the Longhorns wore a Nike
Pro Combat uniform.
From 1961 to 1962, the Longhorns' helmets featured the individual player's number on the side in burnt orange above the "Bevo
" logo, which was also in burnt orange, with a large burnt-orange stripe down the middle of the helmet.
The burnt-orange stripe was removed in 1963 and the helmet featured only the burnt-orange Bevo logo below the player's number, which was also in burnt orange. 
In 1967, the team abandoned the individual player's number above the logo, and moved the burnt-orange Bevo logo to the center of the helmet's side. With the exception of the 1969 season, this remained the team's helmet design until 1977. 
In 1969, the helmet design commemorated the 100th anniversary of the first college football game. The player's number was replaced by a large burnt-orange football above the Bevo logo. Inside the football was a white number "100" that indicated the anniversary year.
In 1977, the team moved to the current helmet design by changing to a white facemask. This helmet design is the one that is seen in the infobox at the beginning of this article.
For its appearance in the 1982 Cotton Bowl Classic game against Alabama, Texas used a special version of the longhorn logo which included between the "horns" of the Bevo logo the words "COTTON BOWL CLASSIC" and a picture of a cotton boll
.
A special helmet design was used during the 2005 home game against Louisiana-Lafayette and the 2009 away game against Texas A&M
. This helmet was similar to the 1963–1966 helmet, but featured the current white facemask.
|-
| valign="top" |
{| cellpadding="1" border="1" cellspacing="0" style="width:80%;"
|-
! style="background:#c50;"| Year
! style="background:#c50;"| Coach
! style="background:#c50;"| Selector
! style="background:#c50;"| Record
! style="background:#c50;"| Bowl
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1963
|| Darrell Royal
|| AP
, Coaches
|| 11–0 || Won Cotton
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1969
|| Darrell Royal
|| AP
, Coaches
|| 11–0 || Won Cotton
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1970
|| Darrell Royal
|| Coaches
|| 10–1 || Lost Cotton
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2005 || Mack Brown
|| BCS
, AP
, Coaches
|| 13–0 || Won Rose
|- style="text-align:center; background:#fff;"
| colspan="4"| Total national championships:
| colspan="2"| 4
|}
Texas has also been awarded twelve national titles by various polling organizations which are not recognized by either the NCAA nor the University:
{| border="0"
|-
| valign="top" |
{| cellpadding="1" border="1" cellspacing="0" style="width:80%;"
|-
! style="background:#c50;"| Year
! style="background:#c50;"| Conference
! style="background:#c50;"| Overall Record
! style="background:#c50;"| Conference Record
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1913 || TIAA || 7–1 || 3–0
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1914 || TIAA || 8–0 || 4–0
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1916 || Southwest || 7–2 || 5–1
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1918 || Southwest || 9–0 || 4–0
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1920 || Southwest || 9–0 || 5–0
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1928 || Southwest || 7–2 || 5–1
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1930 || Southwest || 8–1–1 || 4–1
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1942 || Southwest || 9–2 || 5–1
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1943 || Southwest || 7–1–1 || 5–0
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1945 || Southwest || 10–1 || 5–1
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1950 || Southwest || 9–2 || 6–0
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1952 || Southwest || 9–2 || 6–0
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1953† || Southwest || 7–3 || 5–1
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1959† || Southwest || 9–2 || 5–1
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1961† || Southwest || 10–1 || 6–1
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1962 || Southwest || 9–1–1 || 6–0–1
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1963 || Southwest || 11–0 || 7–0
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1968† || Southwest || 9–1–1 || 6–1
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1969 || Southwest || 11–0 || 7–0
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1970 || Southwest || 10–1 || 7–0
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1971 || Southwest || 8–3 || 6–1
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1972 || Southwest || 10–1 || 7–0
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1973 || Southwest || 8–3 || 7–0
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1975† || Southwest || 10–2 || 6–1
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1977 || Southwest || 11–1 || 8–0
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1983 || Southwest || 11–1 || 8–0
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1990 || Southwest || 10–2 || 8–0
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1994† || Southwest || 8–4 || 4–3
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1995 || Southwest || 10–2–1 || 7–0
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1996 || Big 12 || 8–5 || 6–2
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2005 || Big 12 || 13–0 || 8–0
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2009 || Big 12|| 13–1 || 8–0
|}
† Denotes co-champions
Conference affiliations
{| border="0" style="width:100%;"
|-
| valign="top" |
{| cellpadding="1" border="1" cellspacing="0" style="width:80%;"
|-
! style="background:#c50;"| Year
! style="background:#c50;"| Division Championship
! style="background:#c50;"| Big 12 CG Result
! style="background:#c50;"| Opponent
! style="background:#c50;"| PF
! style="background:#c50;"| PA
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1996 || Big 12 South || W || Nebraska
|| 37 || 27
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1999
|| Big 12 South || L || Nebraska || 6 ||22
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2001 || Big 12 South || L || Colorado
|| 37 || 39
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2002 || Big 12 South || NA* || NA || NA || NA
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2005 || Big 12 South || W || Colorado || 70 || 3
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2008 || Big 12 South || NA† || NA || NA || NA
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2009 || Big 12 South || W || Nebraska || 13 || 12
|}
* Both Texas and Oklahoma tied in the Big 12 South Division with 6–2 conference records and due to a tie-breaking rule Oklahoma advanced to the Big 12 Championship Game.
†A three-way tie in the Big 12 South Division between Texas, Oklahoma and Texas Tech all with 7–1 conference records, due to a tie-breaking rule Oklahoma advanced to the Big 12 Championship Game.
, including two BCS National Championships.
{| border="0" style="width:100%;"
|-
| valign="top" |
{| cellpadding="1" border="1" cellspacing="0" style="width:80%;"
|-
! style="background:#c50;"| Year
! style="background:#c50;"| BCS Game
! style="background:#c50;"| BCS Game Result
! style="background:#c50;"| Opponent
! style="background:#c50;"| PF
! style="background:#c50;"| PA
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2005 || Rose Bowl
|| W || #12 Michigan
|| 38 || 37
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2006 || Rose Bowl
(BCS National Championship) || W || #1 USC
|| 41 || 38
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2008 || Fiesta Bowl
|| W || #10 Ohio State
|| 24 || 21
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2009 || BCS National Championship (@ Rose Bowl
) || L || #1 Alabama
|| 21 || 37
|}
for 2nd in all time bowl appearances in the NCAA FBS at 49, trailing only behind Alabama
at 51. (Note: Some years Texas went to two bowls although they were in different seasons)
{| border="0" style="width:100%;"
|-
| valign="top" |
{| cellpadding="1" border="1" cellspacing="0" style="width:80%;"
|-
! style="background:#c50;"| Bowl Game
! style="background:#c50;"| # of Appearances
! style="background:#c50;"| First Year
! style="background:#c50;"| Last Year
! style="background:#c50;"| Bowl Record
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Cotton Bowl || 22 || 1943 || 2003 || 11–10–1
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Bluebonnet Bowl
† || 6 || 1960 || 1987 || 3–2–1
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Sun Bowl
|| 4 || 1978 || 1994 || 2–2–0
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Holiday Bowl
|| 4 || 2000 || 2007 || 2–2–0
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Sugar Bowl
|| 3 || 1948 || 1995 || 1–2–0
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Orange Bowl
|| 2 || 1949 || 1965 || 2–0–0
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Fiesta Bowl
|| 2 || 1997 || 2009 || 1–1–0
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Rose Bowl
|| 2* || 2005 || 2006* || 2–0–0*
|- style="text-align:center;"
| BCS National Championship || 2* || 2006* || 2010 || 1–1–0*
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Gator Bowl
|| 1 || 1974 || 1974 || 0–1–0
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Freedom Bowl
‡ || 1 || 1984 || 1984 || 0–1–0
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Alamo Bowl
|| 1 || 2006 || 2006 || 1–0–0
|- style="text-align:center; background:#fff;"
|| Total Bowl Appearances:
|| 49
| colspan="2"| Total Bowl Record:
|| 25–22–2
|}
*The 2006 Rose Bowl was both the Rose Bowl Game and the sanctioned BCS National Championship Game, after that season the BCS NCG became a separate game unaffiliated with the major bowl games.
† The Bluebonnet Bowl in Houston, TX was discontinued in 1988, but was replaced by the Houston Bowl
(2000–2001) and the Texas Bowl
(2006–current).
‡ The Freedom Bowl merged with the Holiday Bowl in 1995
Conference records
All-time records against other conferences
Poll records
Bowl records
Other accomplishments
|-
| valign="top" |
{| cellpadding="1" border="1" cellspacing="0" style="width:80%;"
|-
! style="background:#c50;"| Year
! style="background:#c50;"| Record
! style="background:#c50;"| AP
! style="background:#c50;"| Coaches
|-
| 1941
| 8–1–1
| 4
| N/A
|-
| 1942
| 9–2–0
| 11
| N/A
|-
| 1943
| 7–1–1
| 14
| N/A
|-
| 1945
| 10–1–0
| 5
| N/A
|-
| 1946
| 8–2–0
| 15
| N/A
|-
| 1947
| 10–1–0
| 5
| N/A
|-
| 1950
| 9–2–0
| 3
| 2
|-
| 1952
| 9–2–0
| 10
| 11
|-
| 1953
| 7–3–0
| 11
| 8
|-
| 1957
| 6–4–1
| 11
| 11
|-
| 1959
| 9–2–0
| 4
| 4
|-
| 1960
| 7–3–1
| N/A
| 17
|-
| 1961
| 10–1–0
| 3
| 4
|-
| 1962
| 9–1–1
| 4
| 4
|-
| 1963
| 11–0–0
| 1
| 1
|-
| 1964
| 10–1–0
| 5
| 5
|-
| 1968
| 9–1–1
| 3
| 5
|-
| 1969
| 11–0–0
| 1
| 1
|-
| 1970
| 10–1–0
| 3
| 1
|-
| 1971
| 8–3–0
| 18
| 12
|-
| 1972
| 10–1–0
| 3
| 5
|-
| 1973
| 8–3–0
| 14
| 8
|-
| 1974
| 8–4–0
| 17
| N/A
|-
| 1975
| 10–2–0
| 6
| 7
|}
{| border="0" style="width:100%;"
|-
| valign="top" |
{| cellpadding="1" border="1" cellspacing="0" style="width:80%;"
|-
! style="background:#c50;"| Year
! style="background:#c50;"| Record
! style="background:#c50;"| AP
! style="background:#c50;"| Coaches
|-
| 1977
| 11–1–0
| 4
| 5
|-
| 1978
| 9–3–0
| 9
| 9
|-
| 1979
| 9–3–0
| 12
| 13
|-
| 1981
| 10–1–1
| 2
| 4
|-
| 1982
| 9–3–0
| 17
| 18
|-
| 1983
| 11–1–0
| 5
| 5
|-
| 1987
| 7–5–0
| N/A
| 19
|-
| 1990
| 10–2–0
| 12
| 11
|-
| 1994
| 8–4–0
| 25
| 23
|-
| 1995
| 10–2–1
| 14
| 14
|-
| 1996
| 8–5–0
| 23
| 23
|-
| 1998
| 9–3–0
| 15
| 16
|-
| 1999
| 9–5–0
| 21
| 23
|-
| 2000
| 9–3–0
| 12
| 12
|-
| 2001
| 11–2–0
| 5
| 5
|-
| 2002
| 11–2–0
| 6
| 7
|-
| 2003
| 10–3–0
| 12
| 11
|-
| 2004
| 11–1–0
| 5
| 4
|-
| 2005
| 13–0–0
| 1
| 1
|-
| 2006
| 10–3–0
| 13
| 13
|-
| 2007
| 10–3–0
| 10
| 10
|-
| 2008
| 12–1–0
| 4
| 3
|-
| 2009
| 13–1–0
| 2
| 2
|}
|}
including 53 Consensus and 22 Unanimous; Texas also has 17 players and coaches that have been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame
.
Major honors
University honors
Offensive honors
Coaching Honors
Defensive honors
Other honors
As of June 9, 2010, 57 Longhorns currently play or coach in the NFL.
Coaches
The University's biggest rival historically is their instate rival, Texas A&M University. Their most significant and most fierce rivalry however is with the University of Oklahoma. Texas once had a major rivalry with Southwest Conference foe Arkansas, however this rivalry has become less important since Arkansas joined the SEC
and because the schools no longer play each other regularly. Texas Tech has become one of the Longhorns newest instate football rivalries which has grown over the last decade. Texas holds winning records over all four of their main rivals in football.
. The football game between the University of Texas and Oklahoma is commonly known as the "Red River Rivalry
" and is held annually in Dallas, Texas at the Cotton Bowl
. Dallas is used as a "neutral site" since it is approximately mid-way between the two campuses. The stadium is split, with each team having an equal number of supporters on each side of the 50 yard line. Texas state flags fly around the Longhorn end of the stadium and Oklahoma state flags fly around the Sooner end. This border rivalry is often considered to be one of the top five current rivalries in the NCAA.
The Red River Shootout originated in 1900, while Oklahoma was still a territory of the United States, and it is the longest-running college-football rivalry played on a neutral field. Since 2005, the football game has received sponsorship dollars in return for being referred to as the "SBC Red River Rivalry" (changed to AT&T Red River Rivalry in 2006 after SBC merged with AT&T), a move which has been criticized both for its commercialism
and its political correctness
. The University of Texas holds its annual Torchlight Parade during the week of the Red River Rivalry.
In recent years, this rivalry has taken on added significance, since both football programs have been highly ranked and compete in the same division of the Big 12 conference. In 2005, the Dallas Morning News did an opinion poll of the 119 Division 1A football coaches as to the nations top rivalry game
in college football. The Texas-OU game was ranked third.
The game typically has conference or even national significance. Since 1945, one or both of the two teams has been ranked among the top 25 teams in the nation coming into 60 out of 65 games. Twice Texas has defeated the Sooners a record eight straight times from 1940–1947 and 1958–1965. One of the most significant meetings was in 1963 with Oklahoma ranked #1 and Texas ranked #2, the game won by Texas 28–7 en route to their first officially recognized national championship. The series has also had its share of games that came down to the wire and comebacks most recently in 2009 when Texas cemented a 16–13 victory in the fourth quarter over OU. Texas leads the all-time series 59–41–5, with a 47–37–4 edge in Dallas. Texas also holds a 33–30–3 advantage over Oklahoma in the post-modern era. The game has also been the result of controversy. The meeting in 1976 was a heated affair as the Oklahoma staff was accused of spying on Texas' practices, a move later confirmed by former OU head coach Barry Switzer. In the 2008 season Texas scored 45 points over then number 1 Oklahoma for the win, but even with the victory Texas would not go on to the Big 12 Championship game due to BCS rankings. Six of the last ten showings featured one of the participants in the BCS National Championship Game (2000, 2003–2005, 2008, 2009), including national titles won by Oklahoma in 2000
and by Texas in 2005
.
smaller school while Texas is portrayed as the urban
-wealthy larger school. With the exception of the 1994 game, when A&M's probation restricted the Aggies from being televised, the annual football game with Texas A&M traditionally takes place on Thanksgiving Day
or the day after each year. This iconic in-state rivalry is often considered one of the top college rivalries of all time.
In an attempt to generate more attention for the rivalry in sports other than football, the two schools created the Lone Star Showdown in 2004. Essentially, each time the two schools meet in a sport, the winner of the matchup gets a point. At the end of the year, the school with the most points wins the series and receives the Lone Star Trophy.
Aspects of the rivalry include:
.
In 1996, the Texas Tech University System
was established and the system's first chancellor, John T. Montford, started the exchange of a traveling trophy between the two universities called the Chancellor's Spurs
. The spurs are gold and silver and engraved with Texas Tech's Double T
and Texas' interlocking UT logo. Texas leads the all-time series 45–15–0 as of the 2010 season.
first met in 1894, a 54–0 blowout by Texas. In the days of the Southwest Conference, the game between the two schools usually decided who would win the conference championship. Overall, Texas won the conference over Arkansas 75% of the time which led to an incredibly fierce and intense rivalry during the days of the Southwest Conference. The two programs have met 77 times with Texas holding a decisive 56–21–0 advantage and have had many big games. The meeting in 1969 was labeled the true Game of the Century
commemorating the 100th year of college football, which led to the Longhorns' 1969 national championship. This game still does not sit well with Razorback fans to this day. The game saw Arkansas lead throughout the entire game only to have Texas come from behind and win in the final minutes 15–14. Although the Texas-Arkansas game was commonly known as The Big Shootout
, it has not been regularly played since Arkansas's departure from the Southwest Conference to the Southeastern Conference
in 1991. However, many Longhorn and Razorback fans consider this matchup an important rivalry. Texas and Arkansas' most recent meeting was in September 2008 in which Texas dominated Arkansas, 52–10. Texas and Arkansas will play again in the 2014 season.
Texas Longhorn Rivalries: All-time Records
{| cellpadding="1" border="1" cellspacing="0" style="width:100%;"
|-
! style="background:#c50;"|Team
! style="background:#c50;"|Rivalry name
! style="background:#c50;"|Trophy
! style="background:#c50;"|Games played
! style="background:#c50;"|First meeting
! style="background:#c50;"|Last meeting
! style="background:#c50;"|UT win
! style="background:#c50;"|UT loss
! style="background:#c50;"|Ties
! style="background:#c50;"|Win %
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Arkansas Razorbacks
|| The Big Shootout
|| none || 77 || 1894 || 2008 won 52–10 || 56 || 21 || 0 || .727
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Oklahoma Sooners
|| Red River Rivalry
|| Golden Hat
Governors' trophy
|| 106 || 1900 || 2011
lost 55–17 || 59 || 42 || 5 || .557
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Texas A&M Aggies
|| Lone Star Showdown || Lone Star Trophy || 118 || 1894 || 2011
won 27–25 || 76 || 37 || 5 || .641
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Texas Tech Red Raiders
|| none || Chancellor's Spurs
|| 61 || 1928 || 2011
won 52–20 ||46 || 15 || 0 ||
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Baylor Bears
|| none || none || 100 || 1901 || 2010
lost 30–22 || 73 || 22 || 4 ||
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Rice Owls
|| none || none || 93 || 1914 || 2011
won 34–9 || 71 || 21 || 1 ||
|}
The University of Texas is a tradition-rich school, and many of those traditions are associated with athletics events, especially football. Some Longhorn traditions include:
Bevo
, Big Bertha
, "The Eyes of Texas
", Hook 'em Horns
, "Texas Fight
", Smokey the Cannon
, The Showband of the Southwest
, The World's Largest Texas Flag
, and Lighting the Tower
Non-conference games are scheduled in the first three week of the season, followed by a permanent conference schedule (excluding bye weeks).
{| cellpadding="1" border="1" cellspacing="0" style="width:100%;"
|-
! style="background:#c50;"|Years
! style="background:#c50;"|Week 4
! style="background:#c50;"|Week 5
! style="background:#c50;"|Week 6
! style="background:#c50;"|Week 7
! style="background:#c50;"|Week 8
! style="background:#c50;"|Week 9
! style="background:#c50;"|Week 10
! style="background:#c50;"|Week 11
! style="background:#c50;"|Week 12
|- style="text-align:center;"
|Even || Iowa State
|| vs
Oklahoma
|| at Oklahoma State
|| at Kansas
|| at Texas Tech
|| Missouri
|| at Kansas State
|| Texas A&M
|| Baylor
|- style="text-align:center;"
|Odd || at Iowa State
|| vs
Oklahoma
|| Oklahoma State
|| Kansas
|| Texas Tech
|| at Missouri
|| Kansas State
|| at Texas A&M
|| at Baylor
|}
Future non-conference games
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
|- "
! Name !! Title !! Position Coach
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Mack Brown
|| Head Coach
||| n/a
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Bryan Harsin
|| Co-Offensive Coordinator
||| Quarterback
s
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Major Applewhite
|| Co-Offensive Coordinator
||| Running Back
s
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Manny Diaz || Defensive Coordinator
||| Linebacker
s
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Duane Akina
|| Assistant Head Coach
|||Defensive Back
s
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Bruce Chambers
|| Co-Recruiting Coordinator ||| Tight End
s
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Darrell Wyatt || Co-Recruiting Coordinator ||| Wide Receiver
s
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Oscar Giles || Assistant Coach ||| Defensive End
s
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Bo Davis || Assistant Coach ||| Defensive Tackles
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Stacy Searels || Assistant Coach ||| Offensive Line
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Bennie Wylie || Strength
and Conditioning
||| Football
Operations
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Jeff "Mad Dog" Madden || Assistant AD
||| Head of S&
C
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Arthur Johnson || Assistant AD
||| Football
Operations
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Marcus Tubbs
|| Special Assistant ||| Player
Relations
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Ken Rucker || Director of HS Relation
||| Player
Development
|}
, Blair Cherry
, Ed Price, Darrell Royal
, Fred Akers
, David McWilliams, John Mackovic
, and Mack Brown
. Ten coaches have won conference
championships with the Longhorns: Berry Whitaker
, Clyde Littlefield
, Bible, Cherry, Price, Royal, Akers, McWilliams, Mackovic, and Brown. Royal and Brown have also won national championships
with Texas.
Royal is the all-time leader in games coached (219), years coached (20) and total wins (167). Frank Crawford
has the highest winning percentage
of any Longhorn coach after going 5–0 his only year. Of coaches who served more than one season, Whitaker leads with a .865 winning percentage. Jack Chevigny
is, in terms of winning percentage, the worst coach the Longhorns have had (.483). Of the 28 Longhorns coaches, Bible and Royal have been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame
. Royal and Brown have each received National Coach of the Year honors from at least one organization. The current coach is Mack Brown, who was hired in December 1997 and is under contract through the 2016 season.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
team representing The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
. The team currently competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big 12 Conference
Big 12 Conference
The Big 12 Conference is a college athletic conference of ten schools located in the Central United States, with its headquarters located in Las Colinas, a community in the Dallas, Texas suburb of Irving...
which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Texas is one of the most prestigious and historic football programs of all time. In 2008, ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
ranked the Texas Longhorns the seventh most prestigious college football program since 1936. The program began in 1893 and is one of the winningest football programs of all time. At the end of 2010 season, Texas' all-time record is 850–325–33 (.723) which ranks third among wins in football in NCAA history, behind Michigan and Yale (Division I-FCS). Texas is also recognized for their post-season appearances ranking second in number of bowl game
Bowl game
In North America, a bowl game is commonly considered to refer to one of a number of post-season college football games. Prior to 2002, bowl game statistics were not included in players' career totals and the games were mostly considered to be exhibition games involving a payout to participating...
appearances (49), ranked sixth in bowl game victories
NCAA football bowl records
A list of the all time win/loss NCAA Div-1/FBS sanctioned bowl game records for all NCAA college football teams:...
, and eighth in total number of games played (1208). From 1936 to 2010, the Longhorn football teams have received poll rankings 64 out of 75 seasons (85% of the time), finishing these seasons ranked in the top twenty-five 47 times and the top ten 28 times, in either the Associated Press
AP Poll
The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...
or the Coaches Poll
Coaches Poll
The USA Today Coaches' Poll is the current name for a weekly ranking of the top 25 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football and Division I college basketball teams....
since the polls began in 1936. Since the polls began Texas has won four recognized Division I-A national championships (1963
1963 Texas Longhorns football team
The 1963 Texas Longhorns football team represented the University of Texas at Austin in the 1963 college football season. The Longhorns won their first national championship...
, 1969
1969 Texas Longhorns football team
The 1969 Texas Longhorns football team represented the University of Texas at Austin in the 1969 college football season. The Longhorns won all of their games to finish 11-0 and win their second consensus National Championship in school history...
, 1970
1970 Texas Longhorns football team
The 1970 Texas Longhorns football team represented the University of Texas at Austin in the 1970 college football season. The Longhorns shared the National Championship with Nebraska...
, and 2005) and 32 conference championships. 129 (53 consensus & 22 unanimous) Texas players have been named to All-America
College Football All-America Team
The College Football All-America Team is an honor given annually to the best American college football players at their respective positions. The original usage of the term All-America seems to have been to the 1889 College Football All-America Team selected by Casper Whitney and published in This...
football teams while two Longhorn players have won the Heisman Trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
, college football's highest individual honor: Earl Campbell
Earl Campbell
Earl Christian Campbell , nicknamed The Tyler Rose, is a former professional American Football running back. He, Paul Hornung and O.J Simpson are the only people to have won the Heisman Trophy , were first overall National Football League draft picks and are in both the Pro Football Hall of Fame...
(1977) and Ricky Williams
Ricky Williams
Errick Lynne "Ricky" Williams, Jr. is an American football running back for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints fifth overall in the 1999 NFL Draft...
(1998). Seventeen Longhorns have been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame
The College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and museum devoted to college football. Located in South Bend, Indiana, it is connected to a convention center and situated in the city's renovated downtown district, two miles south of the University of Notre Dame campus. It is slated to move...
, while four are enshrined in the NFL Hall of Fame. Other Longhorn players have also received recognition for their performance. The Texas Longhorn football program has had at least one player selected in each of the last 71 NFL Draft
NFL Draft
The National Football League Draft is an annual event in which the National Football League teams select eligible college football players and it is their most common source of player recruitment. The basic design of the draft is each team is given a position in the drafting order in reverse order...
s dating back to 1938
1938 NFL Draft
The 1938 National Football League Draft was held on December 12, 1937. The draft consisting of 12 rounds and 110 player selections, began with the leagues newest expansion team the Cleveland Rams taking Corbett Davis and ended with the Mr...
. The team is currently coached by Mack Brown and games are played at Darrell K Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX.
Early history (1893–1926)
The University of Texas fielded its first permanent football team in 1893 managed by Albert Lefevra, the secretary-treasurer of the UT Athletic Association. The team played four games, a pair in the fall and two more in the spring winning all four games while shutting out all four opponents. The first was against the Dallas Foot Ball Club that claimed to be the best in the state. Held at the Dallas Fair Grounds, the game attracted a then-record 1,200 onlookers. It was a tough and spirited match, but when the dust had settled, the "University Eleven" had pulled off an 18–16 upset. "Our name is pants, and our glory has departed," growled the Dallas Daily News. The Texas club would go on to a spotless record and earn the undisputed boast of "best in Texas."After the inaugural season Texas officially hired its first coach
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
, R.D. Wentworth
Reginald DeMerritt Wentworth
Reginald DeMerritt Wentworth was an American football coach. He served as the first head football coach at the University of Texas at Austin in 1894. His record at Texas was 6–1. Following the 1894 season, Wentworth returned to the East Coast and subsequently went into marine insurance in New York...
, for $325 plus expenses. Wentworth shut out the first six opponents, outscoring them 191–0 before miserably losing their final game to Missouri
Missouri Tigers football
The Missouri Tigers football team represents the University of Missouri in NCAA Division I FBS college football. The team has competed in the North Division of the Big 12 Conference since the conference's inception in 1996...
28–0. There were a number of firsts in Wentworth's one and only season as head coach at Texas. Texas' first ever meeting against Texas A&M
Texas A&M Aggies football
The Texas A&M Aggies football team represents Texas A&M University in college football. The Aggies have competed in the Big 12 Conference since the conference's inception in 1996. They will join the Southeastern Conference in July 2012. Texas A&M football has earned one national title and 18...
occurred in 1894 and resulted in a 38–0 shutout victory for Texas in Austin. Texas also faced Arkansas
Arkansas Razorbacks football
The Arkansas Razorbacks football program is a college football team that represents the University of Arkansas. The team is a member of the Southeastern Conference's Western Division, which is in Division I's Football Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
in the first meeting between the two schools in 1894. The game resulted in a 54–0 shutout victory for Texas as well. These two firsts set the ground for the long extensive rivalries with the Aggies and the Razorbacks over the next century in which Texas would dominate both series with the two schools including several anticipated games. Texas quickly established itself as a winning tradition in its first seven years of football going 36–11–2. In 1900, Texas also had its first ever meeting with Oklahoma
Oklahoma Sooners football
The Oklahoma Sooners football program is a college football team that represents the University of Oklahoma . The team is currently a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
, a 28–2 victory for Texas. The lopsided win for Texas was the beginning of one of college football's most heated rivalries to date. Texas also began rivalries with TCU, Texas A&M, Baylor, and Vanderbilt teams during this time where Texas quickly became the powerhouse and favored team. The Texas football program quickly rose to prominence during the early 1900s with winning records each season including undefeated seasons in 1900, 1914, 1918, and 1920. Over the next 30 years Texas had a slew of coaches none with a tenure longer than four years, however the University of Texas football team's record over this tumultuous period was an astounding 207–57–12, quickly becoming one of the winningest college football programs at the time. Texas was also selected as National Champions in 1914 by the Billingsley Report Ratings and again in 1918 by the Cliff Morgan Ratings when both teams went undefeated. Texas participated in the Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association
The Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association was an NCAA-affiliated Division III college athletic association for schools in Texas from 1976 to 1996....
from 1913–1917 winning two titles in 1913 and 1914 with a 7–1 and 8–0 record those years. In 1915, Texas joined the upstart Southwest Conference winning the conference championship in 1916 and 1918. Texas then won their first, outright SWC Championship in 1920 with an undefeated record. 1920 was also the year in which the Texas-Texas A&M rivalry took hold with this historical meeting as both teams entered the game undefeated and unscored on that season. 20,000 onlookers (the largest in state history at the time) witnessed Texas defeat Texas A&M, 7–3 on Thanksgiving Day. The game gave the Aggies their first loss in two years and closed another undefeated season for Texas.
The Littlefield era (1927–1936)
Clyde LittlefieldClyde Littlefield
Clyde Littlefield was the head track & field coach at The University of Texas from 1920 to 1961 as well as its football coach from 1927 to 1933. He became one of the greatest track coaches in NCAA history...
was the first superstar to both play for and coach the Longhorns. In his first season as head coach, he led Texas to a 6–2–1 record, bettering Edward Stewarts previous record of 5–4. His first season included a hard fought victory over a then tough Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt Commodores football
The Vanderbilt Commodores football program is a college football team that represents Vanderbilt University. The team currently competes in NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Southeastern Conference...
team in Dallas 13–6. During his second season, he won the SWC in 1928 going 7–2 including huge shutout wins over TCU and Texas A&M. Littlefield also won another SWC Championship in 1930 and led his team to a near perfect 8–1–1 record. The 1930 season was most remembered by the 98 yard touchdown drive against Oklahoma where both teams were tied 7–7 going into the fourth quarter. Texas managed to tack on a field goal to put the game away, 17–7 and their fourth straight win over the Sooners at the time. The 1930 team was selected as the National Champion that year by several sportswriters however the school does not officially recognize this year. Littlefield almost captured another SWC Title in 1932 by finishing 8–2 but lost to SWC foe, Texas Christian University. Throughout the 1930s Texas' main in-conference foe was TCU as both teams sought after recruits within the state. Coach Littlefield only had one losing season, in 1933, mainly due to younger players and injuries to starters. From 1893–1932 Texas had 40 consecutive winning seasons. After finishing the 1933 season 4–5–2, the Longhorns first losing season in program history, many people called for his resignation. He resigned as the Longhorns football coach but stayed on as a very successful track coach. To this day, he is still the 5th winningest coach for the University of Texas with a record of 44–18–6.
After the resignation Jack Chevigny
Jack Chevigny
-External links:...
, a national celebrity and ex-Notre Dame
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an...
player, was hired in 1934. His first season as head coach included a stunning victory over Notre Dame, 7–6, in South Bend, Indiana
South Bend, Indiana
The city of South Bend is the county seat of St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States, on the St. Joseph River near its southernmost bend, from which it derives its name. As of the 2010 Census, the city had a total of 101,168 residents; its Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 316,663...
which was considered the greatest moment of his career and one of Texas' biggest victories at the time. After his initial winning season of 7–2–1(often credited to Littlefield), his career at Texas came crashing down when the Longhorns went 4–6 in 1935 and 2–6–1 in 1936 after which he resigned. Chevigny's coaching tenure never fully developed after the victory at Notre Dame. After his resignation he joined the Marine Corps as many people enlisted during the early stages of World War II. Chevigny died as a United States Marine Corps first lieutenant in the battle of Iwo Jima during World War II. Another legend surrounding Chevigny is that, after the 1934 victory over Notre Dame, he had been presented a fountain pen with the inscription "To Jack Chevigny, a Notre Dame boy who beat Notre Dame," and that on September 2, 1945, the pen was discovered in the hands of one of the Japanese envoys on the U.S.S. Missouri; and that the inscription was changed to read, "To Jack Chevigny, a Notre Dame boy who gave his life for his country in the spirit of old Notre Dame."[3] To this day, Chevigny is the only head football coach in Texas history with a losing record of 13–14–2.
The Bible decade (1937–1946)
After the 1936 season Texas decided to pursue a head coach with extensive experience in the position. The coach chosen to replace Jack Chevigny after the 1936 season was Dana X. BibleDana X. Bible
Dana Xenophon Bible was an American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at Mississippi College , Louisiana State University , Texas A&M University , the University of Nebraska , and the University of Texas...
. In the middle of the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
, Texas courted and hired Bible from his successful head coaching job at the University of Nebraska, to be the coach and athletics director at The University of Texas. Dana X. Bible had tremendous success at Nebraska and previously Texas A&M. It was a bold move by the university and a decision that would lay the foundation for the Texas Football program for years to come. The Bible era debuted in 1937 with a 25–12 victory over Texas Tech in Austin. Fans were anxious to witness Texas once again dominate the college football scene however the program would be in a transition period for a short time, but with the experience that Bible brought Texas was again recruiting good athletes. After two initial rough seasons where Texas only won three games, Bible successfully transformed Texas into a national powerhouse. The 1939 season would prove different as Texas opened with a shutout win over Florida 12–0. Then the turning point came in October 1939 when Texas was playing Arkansas
Arkansas Razorbacks football
The Arkansas Razorbacks football program is a college football team that represents the University of Arkansas. The team is a member of the Southeastern Conference's Western Division, which is in Division I's Football Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
in Austin. Down 13–7 with under 30 seconds to play, and with many fans heading for the stadium exits, Texas fullback R.B. Patrick flipped a short pass to Texas' halfback Jack Crain
Jack Crain
Jack Crain was a football player for the University of Texas at Austin who later served three terms in the Texas House of Representatives. He was named an All Southwest Conference player in 1939 and 1940, and was twice selected All-American.-High school:Crain grew up in Nocona, Texas, where he...
and ran 67 yards untouched for the score in the waning seconds of the game to tie Arkansas at 13. Those same fans that were leaving the stadium came pouring back in and onto the field. After the field was cleared Crain booted the extra point and Texas defeated Arkansas 14–13. This game became known as the "Renaissance Game" of the Dana X. Bible era, and the win revitalized the Texas football program in 1939. National championship talks began thereafter when Texas compiled their first All-American's with Malcolm Kutner, Jack Crain, and Noble Doss. The 1939 season was pivotal in providing momentum for the following decade as Texas would again become one of the winningest teams throughout the 1940s. After an 8–2 season in 1940 where Noble Doss made the infamous "Impossible Catch" to set up Texas' 7–0 victory over Texas A&M kept the Aggies from repeating as National Champions and appearing in the Rose Bowl. Bible then led the Longhorns to their 1st No. 1 ranking in 1941 during the season and finished the year 8–1–1 where many sportswriters named the 1941 team National Champions however they were not selected by the AP Poll
AP Poll
The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...
that year. Texas anxiously awaited their opportunity to receive a Rose Bowl bid having turned down bids from the Cotton, Orange, and Sugar Bowls that year. Rose Bowl officials elected not to award the bid to Texas since they had one remaining game against Oregon, who had already lost to Oregon State earlier that year. After not being awarded the bid, Texas then took out its frustration on Oregon, overwhelming them 71–7. The Longhorns of 1941 were featured on the cover of Life Magazine, and are still to this day considered one of the greatest Texas teams of all time. In 1942, Bible led Texas to a 9–2 season record and their first ever bowl game where the Longhorns represented the Southwest Conference in the 1943 Cotton Bowl Classic. Texas defeated the highly ranked Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team represents the Georgia Institute of Technology in collegiate level football. While the team is officially designated as the Yellow Jackets, it is also referred to as the Ramblin' Wreck. The Yellow Jackets are a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
14–7 in the game and this would be the first of 22 appearances in the Cotton Bowl Classic for Texas. Previous to the game, radio announcers in Georgia proclaimed that Texas did not belong in the same league as Georgia Tech. In 1943, Bible again led Texas to the SWC Conference Title and another Cotton Bowl Classic
1944 Cotton Bowl Classic
The 1944 Cotton Bowl Classic was a postseason college football bowl game between the fourteenth ranked Texas Longhorns and the Randolph Field Ramblers, a military institution squad from San Antonio, TX. Randolph boasted many former college football stars, including Tulsa's Glenn Dobbs and Texas...
berth where they faced the only military institute to play in that bowl game, a 7–7 tie with Randolph Field. Bible's teams went 32–6–2 from 1940–1943. 1944 was a reloading year for the Horns as many starters graduated the previous season or were serving in the military. A young quarterback named Bobby Layne took over the starting position and again Texas was dominating its opponents. In 1945, with the help of legendary quarterback Bobby Layne
Bobby Layne
Robert Lawrence "Bobby" Layne was an American football quarterback who played for 15 seasons in the National Football League. He played for the Chicago Bears in 1948, the New York Bulldogs in 1949, the Detroit Lions from 1950–1958, and the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1958–1962...
, and All-American Hub Bechtol, Bible led the Longhorn to their first 10 victory season which ended in a dramatic 40–27 Cotton Bowl Classic
1946 Cotton Bowl Classic
The 1946 Cotton Bowl Classic was a postseason college football bowl game between the tenth ranked Texas Longhorns and the Missouri Tigers. Texas, led by star quarterback, Bobby Layne, won the game 40-27. Layne accounted for all 40 of Texas' points....
victory over Missouri
Missouri Tigers football
The Missouri Tigers football team represents the University of Missouri in NCAA Division I FBS college football. The team has competed in the North Division of the Big 12 Conference since the conference's inception in 1996...
of which Lane score all 40 points. The 1945 team was even selected by several sportswriters as the National Champion, but again the AP poll did not select them. The following year in 1946 Texas was picked as the pre-season number 1 team again, but 2 losses dropped them in the polls. 1946 was highlighted with a dominating victory over #1 Oklahoma. Bible's final season as head coach in 1946 resulted in an 8–2 record, going out with a 24–7 win over rival Texas A&M. Over his tenure at Texas, Bible acquired 3 SWC titles in 1942, 1943, 1945, two Cotton Bowl Classic victories with a post season record of 2–0–1 while the teams of 1941 and 1945 were selected as National Champions by various polling organizations. In 1946 Bible retired from coaching but stayed on as athletic director and is credited for the hiring of the legendary Darrell Royal. Bible is still to this day the 4th winningest coach in Texas history with a record of 63–31–3 and responsible for revitalizing the Texas football program as a national powerhouse. Despite not winning a recognized national championship, the legendary Bible laid the foundation for the Texas football program and for future head coaches. Through his "Bible Plan", he inspired his players not only to succeed on the field but also to succeed in the classroom and in life. He is credited for originally revitalizing the Texas football program in the late 1930s and regarded as the first legendary head coach for the Texas football program. His teams of the late 1930s and throughout the 1940s are still regarded as some of the best in school history.
From best to worst (1947–1956)
Handpicked by Bible as his successor, was Blair CherryBlair Cherry
-Baseball:Cherry also served as baseball coach from 1943 to 1945 during Bibb Falk's absence. His teams compiled a 30-23 overall record, but won 2 conference titles with a 22-4 conference record in 3 seasons .-Post-coaching life:...
in 1947. Cherry in 1947 with a veteran squad, including All-American quarterback Bobby Layne
Bobby Layne
Robert Lawrence "Bobby" Layne was an American football quarterback who played for 15 seasons in the National Football League. He played for the Chicago Bears in 1948, the New York Bulldogs in 1949, the Detroit Lions from 1950–1958, and the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1958–1962...
, led the Longhorns to a near-perfect record of 10–1, defeating No. 6 Alabama
Alabama Crimson Tide football
|TeamName = Alabama football |Image = Alabama Crimson Tide Logo.svg |ImageSize = 110 |Helmet = Alabama Football.png |ImageSize2 = 150 |CurrentSeason = 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team...
27–7 in the Sugar Bowl
1948 Sugar Bowl
The 1948 Sugar Bowl featured the fifth ranked Texas Longhorns and the sixth ranked Alabama Crimson Tide.In the first quarter, Texas scored on a 99 yard touchdown pass form Bobby Layne to Blount, as Texas opened a 7-0 lead. In the second quarte, Alabama tied the game on an 8 yard touchdown pass from...
and finished the year ranked fifth nationally in his first season of 1947. The 1947 season saw Texas defeat rival Oklahoma for the eighth straight season. The 1947 team was even selected as National Champions by the Massey Ratings, but again the AP poll did not select them. Cherry's 1948 team led by fullback, Tom Landry
Tom Landry
Thomas Wade "Tom" Landry was an American football player and coach. He is ranked as one of the greatest and most innovative coaches in National Football League history, creating many new formations and methods...
, went 7–3–1, including a 41–28 win over No. 8 Georgia
Georgia Bulldogs football
The Georgia Bulldogs football team represents the University of Georgia in football. The Bulldogs are a member of the Southeastern Conference and are frequently a top-25 team. The University of Georgia has had a football team since 1892 and has an all-time record of 738–398–54...
in the Orange Bowl
Orange Bowl
The Orange Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game played at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. It has been played annually since January 1, 1935 and celebrated its 75th playing on January 1, 2009...
. Cherry's 1950 team was considered one of the best in Texas history highlighted by a 23–20 win over #1 SMU where Texas held their number one leading rusher with a negative 27 yards. Only a one point loss to Oklahoma kept Texas from a perfect season that year. Texas went on to win the SWC title going 9–2 overall and was ranked No. 3 nationally, however during mid-season Cherry announced that he would be leaving Texas to enter the oil business at the conclusion of the 1950 season. When Cherry quit he suffered from an ulcer
Peptic ulcer
A peptic ulcer, also known as PUD or peptic ulcer disease, is the most common ulcer of an area of the gastrointestinal tract that is usually acidic and thus extremely painful. It is defined as mucosal erosions equal to or greater than 0.5 cm...
and insomnia
Insomnia
Insomnia is most often defined by an individual's report of sleeping difficulties. While the term is sometimes used in sleep literature to describe a disorder demonstrated by polysomnographic evidence of disturbed sleep, insomnia is often defined as a positive response to either of two questions:...
and later disclosed that the over-emphasis on winning led to his resignation. During his 4 year reign Cherry was 32–10–1 leading the Longhorns to three bowl games (two victorious) and two of top-five national rankings. The 1950 team was also selected as National Champions by several polls, but AP poll kept Texas ranked third.
After Cherry’s abrupt resignation, Ed Price was promoted to head coach in 1951. In his first three seasons, Price carried over the success of Bible and Cherry, leading the Longhorns to three winning seasons from 1951–1953, a shutout 16–0, victory over Tennessee
Tennessee Volunteers football
The Tennessee Volunteers football team are an American college football team at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville . The NCAA Division I team is also a member of the Southeastern Conference ....
in the Cotton Bowl Classic, and two SWC titles. From 1939–1953 Texas had dominated the college football scene with a record of 115–35–3 (77%), but in 1954 Texas went 4–5–1, its first losing season in 15 years. 1954 started off with a 20–6 victory over LSU however the season was downhill from that point as Texas went 4–5–1. The 1955 season did not fare any better as Texas went 5–5 on the season. The Price era never kept the Texas football program up to their standards of earlier decades. The program went from one of college footballs top ranked and winningest programs to one of the worst in one season. After capping a string of three losing seasons with a 1–9 season (the worst record in the school's history) in 1956, Price tendered his resignation in 1956. Price compiled a record of 33–27–1 in six seasons.
The age of Royal (1957–1976)
Darrell K. Royal, a native Oklahoman, previously coached at Mississippi StateMississippi State Bulldogs football
The Mississippi State Bulldogs football program represents Mississippi State University in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, competing as a member of the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference. Mississippi State has produced 38 All-Americans, 171 All-SEC selections, and 124...
and Washington
Washington Huskies football
College football has a long history at the University of Washington. The Washington Huskies have won 15 Pacific-10 Conference championships, seven Rose Bowl titles, and three national championships. Washington's all-time record of 653-398-50 ranks 20th by all-time winning percentage and 21st by...
before being hired by Athletic Director Dana X. Bible for the head coaching job at Texas. With the guidance of former head coach Bible, Royal was tasked with bringing Texas back to prominence in 1957. He was destined to take the program to an even higher level. The Royal era of Texas football debuted in 1957 with a 26–7 win at Georgia. In Royal's first season he immediately turned things around for the program, taking the previous 1–9 Longhorns to 6–4–1 in 1957 the quickest turn-around among NCAA teams. The '57 Longhorns obtained a #11 ranking, defeated a highly ranked Texas A&M team 9–7, and played in the Sugar Bowl
Sugar Bowl
The Sugar Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game played in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Sugar Bowl has been played annually since January 1, 1935, and celebrated its 75th anniversary on January 2, 2009...
. The following year proved even better as Texas went 7–3 in 1958. The immediate turnaround by Royal was praised heavily by Texas fans and the media. In 1959 Texas opened the season with a 20–0 victory over Nebraska in Lincoln. Texas also defeated #2 Oklahoma 15–14 to end a six game losing streak to their rival and posted a 9–1 record in 1959 along with a Cotton Bowl Classic berth against Syracuse
Syracuse Orange football
The Syracuse Orange football program is a college football team that represents Syracuse University. The team is a member of the Big East Conference, which is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I conference that is part of the Football Bowl Subdivision...
. Royal's teams of the 1960s and 1970s are regarded as some of the best in school history. The Texas team of 1961 posted a 10–1 record, achieved a #1 ranking along with a Cotton Bowl Classic victory and the team of 1962 posted a 9–1–1 record with a Cotton Bowl Classic berth. In his seventh season, Royal, with the help of star linebacker Tommy Nobis
Tommy Nobis
Thomas Henry Nobis, Jr. is a former American football player. He attended Thomas Jefferson High School where he was an all-state offensive end and middle linebacker...
and quarterback Duke Carlisle, led Texas to their first officially recognized National Championship in 1963
1963 Texas Longhorns football team
The 1963 Texas Longhorns football team represented the University of Texas at Austin in the 1963 college football season. The Longhorns won their first national championship...
posting a perfect 11–0 record with a 28–6 victory over Navy
Navy Midshipmen football
The Navy Midshipmen football team represents the United States Naval Academy in NCAA Division I-A college football. They are a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision independent school and coached by Ken Niumatalolo since December 2007...
in the Cotton Bowl Classic. Prior to the game Pittsburgh sports writer Myron Cope said, "Tune in your television to the Cotton Bowl and you'll laugh yourself silly. Texas is the biggest fraud ever perpetrated on the football public." Darrell Royal was asked about his comments moments before taking the field. Royal smiled, looked into the camera and said, "We're ready" and Texas went on to dominate the Navy team. The following year, 1964, was almost perfect. Texas was again ranked number 1 during the season only to lose by one point to arch-rival Arkansas 13–14. Texas went 10–1 on the season and beat Joe Namath
Joe Namath
Joseph William "Joe" Namath , nicknamed "Broadway Joe" or "Joe Willie", is a former American football quarterback. He played college football for the University of Alabama under coach Paul "Bear" Bryant and his assistant, Howard Schnellenberger, from 1962–1964, and professional football in the...
and #1 Alabama
Alabama Crimson Tide football
|TeamName = Alabama football |Image = Alabama Crimson Tide Logo.svg |ImageSize = 110 |Helmet = Alabama Football.png |ImageSize2 = 150 |CurrentSeason = 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team...
in the Orange Bowl
Orange Bowl
The Orange Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game played at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. It has been played annually since January 1, 1935 and celebrated its 75th playing on January 1, 2009...
, 21–17 with a famous last second goal line stand keeping Namath out of the endzone in the first televised bowl game at night. Royal's teams of the early 1960s went 40–3–1. The next three seasons posted a 19–12 win-loss record, but in 1968 Royal became the first coach to install the Wishbone formation
Wishbone formation
The wishbone formation, also known simply as the ’bone, is an offensive formation in American football. The style of attack to which it gives rise is known as the wishbone offense...
in the backfield led by a group of players that became known as the "Worster Bunch" consisting of All-American's Steve Worster
Steve Worster
Steve Worster is a former American football player. Following an outstanding prep career, he played fullback at the University of Texas under legendary coach Darrell Royal...
, James Street
James Street (quarterback)
James Street is a former American football quarterback. He played college football at the University of Texas at Austin from 1966-1969...
, Billy Dale, Chris Gilbert
Chris Gilbert
Christopher Robert "Chris" Gilbert is an English first-class cricketer, who represented England at various age levels. A talented all round sportsman, he has also played hockey for England under 18s. He played cricket for Yorkshire County Cricket Club at first-class level in 2007...
, and Cotton Speyrer
Cotton Speyrer
Charles Wayne Speyrer was an American football wide receiver in the National Football League for the Baltimore Colts and the Miami Dolphins. He played college football at the University of Texas....
. With this powerful new offense in effect the 1968 team went 9–1–1 with a demolishing 36–13 victory over Tennessee in the Cotton Bowl Classic, one of the most complete and lopside wins in all statistics since the 1941 win over Oregon, 71–7. With the momentum carried over from the previous season, Texas began the 1969 season
1969 Texas Longhorns football team
The 1969 Texas Longhorns football team represented the University of Texas at Austin in the 1969 college football season. The Longhorns won all of their games to finish 11-0 and win their second consensus National Championship in school history...
by defeating all opponents by an average score of 44 points. The final game of the regular season had #1 Texas against #2 Arkansas in the true "Game of the Century"
1969 Texas vs. Arkansas football game
The 1969 Texas vs. Arkansas football game, dubbed The Big Shootout and sometimes referred to as the "Game of The Century", was a legendary college football game on December 6, 1969 in which the top-ranked Texas Longhorns visited the second-ranked Arkansas Razorbacks at Razorback Stadium in...
for the 100th year of college football. The game saw Arkansas leading throughout the game when the Longhorns came from behind in the 4th quarter to win 15–14, capturing their second officially recognized National Championship in which President Richard Nixon declared Texas the champion after the game. Texas would then go on to face and defeat Notre Dame in the 1970 Cotton Bowl Classic
1970 Cotton Bowl Classic
The 1970 Cotton Bowl Classic was a postseason college football bowl game between the Texas Longhorns and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Texas won the game, 21–17, and secured its second consensus National Championship in school history.-External links:...
which solified Texas' place as the #1 team that year. This was also the Irish's first bowl game since 1924. In 1970 Texas again was ranked #1 throughout the season. One of the most memorable games was against UCLA in Austin. With the Bruins leading 17–13 and less than 30 seconds left in the game, Texas quarterback Eddie Phillips hit receiver Cotton Spreyer over midfield and sprinted untouched for the winning score 20–17 with only three seconds left in the game. Texas finished undefeated when they defeated Arkansas 42–7 capturing their third recognized National Championship in 1970. The Longhorns record from 1968–1970 was an amazing 30–2–1, which included winning 30 straight games. Texas was also in the hunt for national titles again in 1972. Royal described his team of '72 as "average as a day's wash" before the season began. Only a loss to Oklahoma kept the team from finishing unbeaten that season. One of the main highlights of the season was the final game against Alabama in the 1973 Cotton Bowl where Texas quarterback Marty Atkins ran the bootleg to perfection in a come from behind 17–13 win over the Crimson Tide. In 1975 Texas was in place to win the Southwest crown outright but a loss to Texas A&M at the end of the season sent Texas to the Bluebonnet bowl, a 38–21 victory over Colorado with a top with top 5 ranking. Royal is also credited for winning the Southwest Conference Title six years in a row from 1968–1973 along with six straight Cotton Bowl Classic appearances. He successfully revitalized the Texas football program in 1957 and put the team back to national prominence over the next 20 seasons. Over the course of his 20 year career DKR never had a losing season, led the Longhorns to 3 National Championships, 11 Southwest Conference Titles, 16 bowl games, and 9 top 5 poll rankings, 15 top 25 poll rankings, 30 straight victories, 42 straight home victories in Austin from 1968–1976, and a record of 167–47–5 which till this day is the winningest coach ever to coach at the University of Texas. His final game at Texas was against Arkansas in Austin at the end of the 1976 season. Texas won convincingly 29–12 in his final game. After retiring from coaching football in 1976, Royal continued his role as athletic director until retiring in 1980. In 1996 the University of Texas officially honored him by renaming Texas Memorial Stadium to the Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium.
The Akers years (1977–1986)
After Royal's retirement, he assumed that his long time assistant coach Mike Campbell would take over as head coach, however the University had other plans. They picked a younger, former assistant coach of Royal's, Fred AkersFred Akers
-External links:*...
who has had some success at Wyoming
Wyoming Cowboys football
The Wyoming Cowboys are a college football team that represents the University of Wyoming. They compete in the Mountain West Conference of the Football Bowl Subdivision of NCAA Division I. The team has won 15 conference titles...
. With his new staff, implementation of the "I" formation
I formation
The I formation is one of the most common offensive formations in American football. The I formation draws its name from the vertical alignment of quarterback, fullback, and running back, particularly when contrasted with the same players' alignments in the T formation.The formation begins with...
, and some help from future Heisman trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
winner Earl Campbell
Earl Campbell
Earl Christian Campbell , nicknamed The Tyler Rose, is a former professional American Football running back. He, Paul Hornung and O.J Simpson are the only people to have won the Heisman Trophy , were first overall National Football League draft picks and are in both the Pro Football Hall of Fame...
; Akers led the '77 Longhorns to 11–0 and would have acquired UT's 4th recognized National Championship if not for a loss to Notre Dame
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an...
in the Cotton Bowl Classic. The following year Texas went 9–3 on the season including a 42–0 whipping of Maryland
Maryland Terrapins football
The Maryland Terrapins football team represents the University of Maryland in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision competition. The Terrapins compete within the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
in the Sun Bowl
Sun Bowl
The Sun Bowl is an annual U.S. college football bowl game that is usually played at the end of December in El Paso, Texas. The Sun Bowl, along with the Sugar Bowl and the Orange Bowl are the second-oldest bowl games in the country, behind the Rose Bowl...
. 1979 had high hopes for the Longhorn faithful as Texas was again in the hunt for a national championship. Only a loss to Texas A&M in the final game of the season kept Texas from playing Alabama
Alabama Crimson Tide football
|TeamName = Alabama football |Image = Alabama Crimson Tide Logo.svg |ImageSize = 110 |Helmet = Alabama Football.png |ImageSize2 = 150 |CurrentSeason = 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team...
in the Sugar Bowl
Sugar Bowl
The Sugar Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game played in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Sugar Bowl has been played annually since January 1, 1935, and celebrated its 75th anniversary on January 2, 2009...
that year. In 1980 members of the Southwest Conference decided to revise the game schedule and kicked off the new decade with Texas and Arkansas playing at the beginning of the season to commemorate a rivalry that was dominated by Texas. Texas again knocked off Arkansas 23–17 to start the new decade and once again reached the number 1 spot in the AP poll for a period of three weeks before losing at home to SMU. After a few winning seasons, Akers once again almost captured a National Championship in 1981 by beating Alabama in the Cotton Bowl Classic, a remarkable 4th quarter comeback effort where Texas won 14–12 and landed his team at #2 in the final polls. The 1982 season had high hopes for the Horns once again but 2 losses during the regular season kept Texas from playing for the title. A 33–7 victory over Arkansas
Arkansas Razorbacks football
The Arkansas Razorbacks football program is a college football team that represents the University of Arkansas. The team is a member of the Southeastern Conference's Western Division, which is in Division I's Football Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
in 1982 closed the season for Texas and they carried that momentum over the following year. In 1983 Akers had his Texas team on the hunt for a National Championship that had eluded him twice before and led the Longhorn to an 11–0 season ranked #2 behind Nebraska the entire season. Texas went on to win the Southwest Conference again and faced Georgia
Georgia Bulldogs football
The Georgia Bulldogs football team represents the University of Georgia in football. The Bulldogs are a member of the Southeastern Conference and are frequently a top-25 team. The University of Georgia has had a football team since 1892 and has an all-time record of 738–398–54...
in the Cotton Bowl Classic. Texas managed to hold a 9–3 led throughout the entire game despite entering Georgia's territory seven times. Only a muffed punt in the wanning seconds of the game gave Georgia the momentum they would need to defeat Texas 10–9. Later that evening, Miami would go on to stun top-ranked Nebraska in the Orange Bowl 31–30 and win the 1983 National Championship. Akers teams from 1981–1983 produced an incredible 30–5–1 record over three seasons. The 1984 season had Texas once again ranked #1 in the polls but soon dropped after a tie with Oklahoma and 3 straight losses to end the season. A year later Texas was once again ranked in the top ten but finished the season with a disappointing 8–4 record. During his career at Texas he was praised for his winning seasons but drew ire from the Longhorn faithful for not winning a national championship. From 1957–1985 Texas continued to have winning seasons. In 1986, Akers had his first losing season 5–6 due to many key injuries.And having two of the countries best running backs from high school being freshmen that year, Eric Metcalf, from Bishop O'Connell high school, Arlington County, Virginia,and Andrew Jastal, from Santa Fe high school, Santa Fe, Texas. This was Texas' first losing season since 1956. After nine winning seasons, nine bowl games, 2 SWC titles, and 1 Heisman trophy winner; Akers' tenure ended at the University of Texas with a 86–31–2 record, 3rd best in UT's history.
The rebuilding (1986–1998)
After the exiting of Akers, Texas hired David McWilliams who was a former assistant coach at UT. McWilliams had just had his first promising year at Texas Tech before accepting the Texas head coaching position. With a solid 7–5 first season and a Bluebonnet BowlBluebonnet Bowl
The Bluebonnet Bowl was an annual college football bowl game played in Houston, Texas. A civic group was appointed by the Houston Chamber of Commerce Athletics Committee in 1959 to organize the bowl game. It was held at Rice Stadium from 1959 through 1967, and again in 1985 and 1986. The game was...
victory over Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Panthers football
Pittsburgh Panthers football is the intercollegiate football team of the University of Pittsburgh, often referred to as "Pitt", located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Traditionally the most popular sport at the university, Pitt football has played at the highest level of American college football...
in 1987, McWilliams initially reminded people of Darrel K. Royal. However, after two losing season of 4–7 in 1988 and 5–6 in 1989, the luster had worn off. But after an opening victory of Penn State
Penn State Nittany Lions football
The Penn State Nittany Lions football team represents the Pennsylvania State University in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big Ten Conference. It is one of the most tradition-rich and storied college football programs in the...
in 1990 McWilliams began the "Shock the Nation" tour leading his team to 10–1, only losing to the eventual 1990 National Champions, Colorado
Colorado Buffaloes football
The Colorado Buffaloes football program represents the University of Colorado at Boulder in college football at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The team is currently a member of the Pacific-12 Conference, having previously been a charter member of the Big 12 Conference. Before joining the Big 12,...
. The 1990 Longhorns went to the Cotton Bowl Classic where they were defeated by Miami
Miami Hurricanes football
The Miami Hurricanes football program competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference of the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision for the University of Miami. The program began in 1926 and has won five AP national championships...
. After the 1990 season, many Texas fans had hope of National Championship in 1991, but were eventually disappointed when Texas finished with a 5–6 record which caused McWilliams to resign. At the end of his coaching career McWilliams led Texas to 2 bowl games, 1 SWC title, and a 31–26 record. The period of the late 1980s and early 1990s would be detrimental to all footall programs in the Southwest Conference. At that time all schools were under scrutiny with the NCAA as sancations were handed due to violations of NCAA regulations and recruiting rules. The school that would suffer the most from the infractions was the SMU Football program as they were handed the death penalty from the NCAA in which there would be no team for two years and no games would be televised. The sanction handed to SMU would prove pivotal for other Southwest Conference schools as blue-chip recruits in the state of Texas would begin signing letters of intent to play in schools outside of the Southwest Conference and the state of Texas.
The forcing out of David McWilliams, allowed Texas to hire John Mackovic
John Mackovic
John Mackovic is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach of United States national American football team, which was formed to compete in the American Football World Cup...
as head coach from Illinois
Illinois Fighting Illini football
The Illinois Fighting Illini are a major college football program, representing the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. They compete in NCAA Division I-A and the Big Ten Conference.-Current staff:-All-time win/loss/tie record:*563-513-51...
. Having coached in the NFL for the Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
and the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
, Mackovic brought a fresh perspective to Texas. He had a great ability to recruit fresh talent, like future Heisman Trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
winner Ricky Williams
Ricky Williams
Errick Lynne "Ricky" Williams, Jr. is an American football running back for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints fifth overall in the 1999 NFL Draft...
. Mackovic also pushed to renovate the University's facilities, which offended some of his supporters. Mackovic was determined to rebuild the Longhorns from the ground up. In 1992 and 1993, the Horns went 6–5 (but were not bowl eligible due to one win over a D1-AA school), and 5–5–1 respectively. The Longhorns began to see some hope in 1994, when they finished the regular season 7–4 and shared the SWC title. Texas also won its first bowl game in 7 years at the Sun Bowl
Sun Bowl
The Sun Bowl is an annual U.S. college football bowl game that is usually played at the end of December in El Paso, Texas. The Sun Bowl, along with the Sugar Bowl and the Orange Bowl are the second-oldest bowl games in the country, behind the Rose Bowl...
in a come form behind victory against North Carolina
North Carolina Tar Heels football
The North Carolina Tar Heels football team represents the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in collegiate level football. In Carolina’s first 121 seasons of football competition, the Tar Heels have compiled a record of 646–488–54, a winning percentage of .566...
. In 1995, the Horns went 10–1–1 under Mackovic, won the final SWC title outright and earned a bid to the Sugar Bowl
Sugar Bowl
The Sugar Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game played in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Sugar Bowl has been played annually since January 1, 1935, and celebrated its 75th anniversary on January 2, 2009...
against Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech Hokies football
The Virginia Tech Hokies football team is a college football program that competes in NCAA Division I-FBS, in the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference. They have more wins in team history than any other program in the ACC. Their home games are played at Lane Stadium which seats over...
. The 1995 season was the final year of the Southwest Conference due to the various infractions and recruiting violations as all schools disbanded from the conference and joined other established conferences. Throughout the 80 year history of the conference Texas was the most dominant football program in its history, winning 27 conference championships and representing the champion in the Cotton Bowl Classic a record 22 times. 1996 brought about the formation of the new Big 12 Conference
Big 12 Conference
The Big 12 Conference is a college athletic conference of ten schools located in the Central United States, with its headquarters located in Las Colinas, a community in the Dallas, Texas suburb of Irving...
and new talks about Texas winning a National Championship. But after going 4–3, the Horns struggled just to stay bowl eligible. Texas then rallied winning 5 straight games which would earn them the Big 12 South Crown. The first season of the Big 12 included an upset victory in the inaugural Big 12 Championship Game over then two-time defending National Champion, Nebraska
Nebraska Cornhuskers football
The Nebraska Cornhuskers represent the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in college football. The program has established itself as a traditional powerhouse, and has the fourth-most all-time victories of any NCAA Division I-A team. Nebraska is one of only six football programs in NCAA Division I-A...
where the famous fourth and inches call "roll left" occurred as Texas quarterback James Brown rolled to his left and passed to Derek Lewis for 61 yards as Texas won 37–27. The game was considered the most stunning upset college football game of the 1990s. Texas earned the automatic bid to the Fiesta Bowl
Fiesta Bowl
The Fiesta Bowl, now sponsored by Frito-Lay and named with their Tostitos brand, is a United States college football bowl game played annually at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Between its origination in 1971 and 2006, the game was hosted in Tempe, Arizona at Sun Devil...
where they faced Penn State
Penn State Nittany Lions football
The Penn State Nittany Lions football team represents the Pennsylvania State University in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big Ten Conference. It is one of the most tradition-rich and storied college football programs in the...
. The close of the 1996 season and the five straight wins propelled by a high powered offense led by James Brown gave Texas fans high hopes for the 1997 season. In the opener, Texas defeated Rutgers but lost starting quarterback James Brown to an ankle injury. The following week Texas faced UCLA, their first meeting since a 28–10 win for Texas in 1971. After an embarrassing 66–3 loss to UCLA
UCLA Bruins Football
The UCLA Bruins football program represents the University of California, Los Angeles in college football as members of the Pacific-12 Conference at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The Bruins have enjoyed several periods of success in their history, having been ranked in the top ten of the AP Poll...
Texas went into a downward spiral and never fully recovered. The team finished the 1997 season at 4–7, their worst in over 50 years. After the season head coach John Mackovic was reassigned within the athletic department leaving his UT coaching record at 41–28–2.
The Brown legacy (1998–Present)
The Longhorns started 1998 with a new coach and a new college bowl system called the Bowl Championship SeriesBowl Championship Series
The Bowl Championship Series is a selection system that creates five bowl match-ups involving ten of the top ranked teams in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , including an opportunity for the top two to compete in the BCS National Championship Game.The BCS relies on a combination of...
. The BCS created a series of elite bowls in an attempt to pick a consensus National Champion. Since 1998, the Longhorns have been coached by Mack Brown
Mack Brown
William Mack Brown is head coach of The University of Texas at Austin Longhorn football team.Prior to his head coach position at Texas, Brown was head coach at Appalachian State, Tulane, and North Carolina. Brown is credited with revitalizing the Texas and North Carolina football programs...
who came to Texas after being head coach at North Carolina
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
. Immediately after being hired on Brown would begin the rebuilding process by conducting a speaking tour through many Texas High Schools in order to turn around the relationship with coaches and schools that had previously been blocked out by previous head coaches. His ideas and ability to recruit would prove pivotal to the first several years in his position. He immediately reminded people of former coach Darrell Royal and some even compared him to the late Dana X. Bible. Brown's first season was an incredible turnaround from the disappointing 4–7 1997 season. The Mack Brown era officially debuted with a 66–36 lopsided win over New Mexico State in Austin. Texas was able to build on that momentum winning six straight including an upset win Nebraska
Nebraska Cornhuskers football
The Nebraska Cornhuskers represent the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in college football. The program has established itself as a traditional powerhouse, and has the fourth-most all-time victories of any NCAA Division I-A team. Nebraska is one of only six football programs in NCAA Division I-A...
, 20–16, in Lincoln, NE; which snapped the Cornhuskers streak of 48 straight home victories. After a 26–24 last minute win over rival Texas A&M
Texas A&M Aggies football
The Texas A&M Aggies football team represents Texas A&M University in college football. The Aggies have competed in the Big 12 Conference since the conference's inception in 1996. They will join the Southeastern Conference in July 2012. Texas A&M football has earned one national title and 18...
, Texas went on to face and dominate Mississippi State
Mississippi State Bulldogs football
The Mississippi State Bulldogs football program represents Mississippi State University in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, competing as a member of the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference. Mississippi State has produced 38 All-Americans, 171 All-SEC selections, and 124...
in the 1999 Cotton Bowl Classic, their first New Years Bowl victory since 1981. After a great start in 1998, the talk of national championships began in 1999. However, the talk quickly died after a rocky start, but Texas rebounded with a huge third straight victory over #3 Nebraska in Austin and finished the season 9–5. The 2000 season had many people speaking of a championship run with the loaded talent recruited from the previous year. There were growing pains during the season as Texas finished 2nd in the Big 12 and 9–3 overall. In 2001, Texas went 10–1 on the season and was heading towards a National Championship appearance against Miami but were upset in the Big 12 Championship by Colorado
Colorado Buffaloes football
The Colorado Buffaloes football program represents the University of Colorado at Boulder in college football at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The team is currently a member of the Pacific-12 Conference, having previously been a charter member of the Big 12 Conference. Before joining the Big 12,...
, who they had previously beaten soundly in the regular season. Texas finished the year with an exciting shoot-out win in the Holiday Bowl over Washington, finishing the season 11–2 ranked in the top five. In 2002, Texas was again ranked in the top 5 of the polls with hopes of another championship run. Two conference losses set Texas back in the polls where they finished 11–2, beat LSU in the Cotton Bowl, and finished in the top five. After the 2003 season, Brown had a 59–18 (77%) win-loss record but had not managed to win the Big 12 conference or to lead the Longhorns to a Bowl Championship Series
Bowl Championship Series
The Bowl Championship Series is a selection system that creates five bowl match-ups involving ten of the top ranked teams in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , including an opportunity for the top two to compete in the BCS National Championship Game.The BCS relies on a combination of...
game. He was often lauded for his recruiting while being criticized for failing to win the big games and most importantly, championships. Texas would finish the 2003 season with a 10–3 record again finishing 2nd in the Big 12 conference. The 2004 Texas Longhorn football team
2004 Texas Longhorn football team
The 2004 Texas Longhorns football team represented the University of Texas at Austin in the 2004 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was coached by head football coach Mack Brown and led on the field by quarterback Vince Young...
became that first championship team for Mack Brown by going 10–1 and playing in their first BCS Game
Bowl Championship Series
The Bowl Championship Series is a selection system that creates five bowl match-ups involving ten of the top ranked teams in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , including an opportunity for the top two to compete in the BCS National Championship Game.The BCS relies on a combination of...
, the 2005 Rose Bowl
2005 Rose Bowl
The 2005 Rose Bowl Game was the 91st edition of the college football bowl game, held on January 1, 2005 at the self-named stadium in Pasadena, California. The Texas Longhorns, second place finishers of the Big 12 Conference's South Division, defeated the Michigan Wolverines, co-champions of the...
, against the Wolverines
2004 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 2004 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 2004 college football season. The team's head football coach was Lloyd Carr. The Wolverines played their home games at Michigan Stadium...
of the University of Michigan the first meeting between the two teams. The Longhorns defeated the Wolverines 38–37 on a successful 37-yard field goal by place kicker Dusty Mangum
Dusty Mangum
Dustin Ross Mangum is a former placekicker for the University of Texas at Austin's college football team from 2001 to 2004. Mangum, who began his college football career as a walk-on, is best known for capping UT's 2004-2005 season with a 37-yard game-winning field goal as time expired in the...
as time expired. It was the first time the Rose Bowl
Rose Bowl Game
The Rose Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game, usually played on January 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. When New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, the game is played on Monday, January 2...
had ever been decided on the closing play. The Rose Bowl victory earned the 11–1 Longhorns a top 5 finish in the polls for the season.
2005 Texas Longhorn football team
The 2005 Texas Longhorn football team represented the University of Texas at Austin during the 2005 NCAA Division I-A football season, winning the Big 12 Conference championship and the national championship. The team was coached by Mack Brown, led on offense by quarterback Vince Young, and played...
was given a pre-season #2 ranking (behind defending National Champions University of Southern California
2005 USC Trojans football team
The 2005 USC Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California in the college football season of 2005–2006, winning the Pacific-10 Conference , and playing for the NCAA Division I-A national championship...
) which they maintained throughout the entire 2005 regular season. Texas was tested early against #4 ranked Ohio State in Columbus, OH which was also the very first meeting between the two historical football programs. Prior to the game Buckeye linebacker, Bobby Carpenter, was quoted saying "our goal is to make sure that Vince Young is no longer a Heisman candidate after he leaves here." The #2 Longhorns went on to defeat Ohio State 25–22 at the Horseshoe in at Columbus, OH. However, throughout the remainder of the season, Texas dominated every team they faced including a 45–12 victory over Oklahoma which ended the five year losing streak to their arch-rival. The 12–0, undefeated #2 Texas would face #1 undefeated USC in the BCS National Championship at the Rose Bowl. During the month of preparation for the BCS National Championship Game
BCS National Championship Game
The BCS National Championship Game, or BCS National Championship, is the final bowl game of the annual Bowl Championship Series and is intended by the organizers of the BCS to determine the U.S. national champion of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision...
, ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
ran a series of 11 specials listing the 2005 USC Trojans second among the greatest college football teams of all time, while the 2005 Texas Longhorns were never listed nor mentioned. Texas won 41–38 in the final 20 seconds of regulation by a Vince Young
Vince Young
Vincent Paul Young, Jr. , nicknamed "VY", is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He spent the first five seasons of his career with the Tennessee Titans. Young was the third overall draft pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college...
rushing touchdown on 4th down and 5, giving the Longhorns a perfect 13–0 season and an undisputed National Championship. Vince Young (who did not win a Heisman) had beaten USC, Matt Leinart
Matt Leinart
Matthew Stephen Leinart , is an American professional football quarterback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League...
(2004 Heisman Trophy winner) and Reggie Bush
Reggie Bush
Reginald Alfred "Reggie" Bush II is an American football running back for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
(2005 Heisman Trophy winner, who dominated in votes, while Vince Young placed second). The wins and awards accumulated by USC during the Reggie Bush era that seemed to justify such attention have been vacated due to NCAA violations.
The 2006 Texas Longhorn football team
2006 Texas Longhorn football team
The 2006 Texas Longhorn football team represented the University of Texas at Austin in the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team's head football coach was Mack Brown, who received the 2006 Paul "Bear" Bryant Award for "Coach of the Year". The Longhorns play their home games in...
hoped to repeat as national champions even though quarterback Vince Young elected to go the NFL early which left freshman Colt McCoy
Colt McCoy
Daniel "Colt" McCoy is an American football quarterback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Browns in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft...
as the starting quarterback. After an early loss to Ohio State
2006 Ohio State Buckeyes football team
The 2006 Ohio State Buckeyes football team was an American football team representing the Ohio State University in the college football season of 2006-2007. The team's head coach was Jim Tressel. The Buckeyes played their home games in Ohio Stadium...
, the Longhorns with Colt McCoy at the helm went into November undefeated in Big 12 play. But in a game against Kansas State
2006 Kansas State Wildcats football team
The 2006 Kansas State Wildcats football team represented Kansas State University in the college football season of 2006. The team's head football coach was Ron Prince. 2006 was the first year for Prince who came to K-State from Virginia as their offensive coordinator...
, Colt McCoy suffered a neck injury on a quarterback sneak
Quarterback sneak
A quarterback sneak is a play in Canadian and American football in which the quarterback, upon taking the center snap, dives ahead while the offensive line surges forward...
which led to a 45–42 Texas loss. This was followed by a 12–7 upset loss against Texas A&M, when Colt was again knocked out of the game. As a result of these losses, Longhorns played in the Alamo Bowl
Alamo Bowl
The Alamo Bowl is a major American college football bowl game played annually since 1993 in the 65,000-seat Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. It matches the second choice team from the Pacific-12 Conference and the third choice team from the Big 12 Conference.Traditionally, the Alamo Bowl has been...
and defeated Iowa
2006 Iowa Hawkeyes football team
The 2006 Iowa Hawkeyes football team represented the University of Iowa during the 2006 college football season. The Hawkeyes played their home games at Kinnick Stadium and were coached by Kirk Ferentz...
26–24, ending the 2006 season with a 10–3 record.
Texas entered the 2007 season ranked in the Top 10 but then suffered back-to-back losses to Kansas State
Kansas State Wildcats
Kansas State University's athletic teams are called the Wildcats. The official color of the teams is Royal Purple, making Kansas State one of very few schools that have only one official color; white and silver are generally used as complementary colors.Kansas State participates in...
(41–21) and Oklahoma
Oklahoma Sooners football
The Oklahoma Sooners football program is a college football team that represents the University of Oklahoma . The team is currently a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
(28–21). Texas surged back winning the next 5 games in a row and appeared to be poised to gain a BCS bowl berth, however, a 30–38 loss to Texas A&M
2007 Texas A&M Aggies football team
The 2007 Texas A&M Aggies football team represented Texas A&M University in the 2007-2008 college football season. The team was coached by Dennis Franchione, who had coached at A&M since the 2003 season, but resigned at the conclusion of the annual game with the University of Texas...
dashed these hopes. The 2007 Longhorns
2007 Texas Longhorn football team
The 2007 Texas Longhorn football team represented the University of Texas at Austin in the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Mack Brown, who received the 2005 Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year award...
finished the season 10–3 with a demolishing victory over Arizona State, 52–34, in the 2007 Holiday Bowl
2007 Holiday Bowl
The 2007 Pacific Life Holiday Bowl was a college football bowl game played December 27, 2007 in San Diego, California. It was part of the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season and one of 32 games in the 2007-2008 bowl season. It featured the Texas Longhorns against the Arizona State Sun...
. The Longhorns had problems off the field that culminated in the 2007 Texas Longhorns football suspensions
2007 Texas Longhorns football suspensions
The 2007 Texas Longhorns football suspensions were separate incidents resulting in college football players being suspended from the 2007 Texas Longhorn football team at the University of Texas at Austin...
.
The 2008 Texas Longhorns
2008 Texas Longhorn football team
The 2008 Texas Longhorn football team represented the University of Texas at Austin in the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Mack Brown, who has a contract lasting through the 2016 season...
started the season ranked eleventh nationally but moved to fifth and then first after beating Oklahoma
Oklahoma Sooners football
The Oklahoma Sooners football program is a college football team that represents the University of Oklahoma . The team is currently a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
. They retained their number one status by beating top ranked #11 Missouri
Missouri Tigers football
The Missouri Tigers football team represents the University of Missouri in NCAA Division I FBS college football. The team has competed in the North Division of the Big 12 Conference since the conference's inception in 1996...
and #7 Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State Cowboys football
The Oklahoma State Cowboys football program represents Oklahoma State University–Stillwater in college football. The team is a member of the Big 12 Conference and completes at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. The Cowboys are led by Mike Gundy, who is in his seventh year as...
, until the Longhorns lost to #6 undefeated Texas Tech
Texas Tech Red Raiders football
Texas Tech Red Raiders football program is a college football team that represents Texas Tech University . The team competes, as a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
on a last second, game winning pass from Graham Harrell
Graham Harrell
Graham Harrell is an American football quarterback. He was signed by the Green Bay Packers and is currently on their scout team. He played college football at Texas Tech.-Early years:...
to Michael Crabtree
Michael Crabtree
Michael Alex Crabtree is an American football wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the 49ers with the 10th overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football for Texas Tech, where he received recognition as one of the nation's...
. A later loss by the Texas Tech Red Raiders to the Oklahoma Sooners caused a three way tie in the Big 12 South, between Texas, Tech, and OU each with only one loss to each other. The Big 12 tiebreaker would be decided by who was ranked highest in the final BCS
Bowl Championship Series
The Bowl Championship Series is a selection system that creates five bowl match-ups involving ten of the top ranked teams in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , including an opportunity for the top two to compete in the BCS National Championship Game.The BCS relies on a combination of...
standings. When released and the Sooners were ahead of the Longhorns by .0128 points, sending the Sooners to the Big 12 Championship Game and eventually the BCS National Championship Game
BCS National Championship Game
The BCS National Championship Game, or BCS National Championship, is the final bowl game of the annual Bowl Championship Series and is intended by the organizers of the BCS to determine the U.S. national champion of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision...
, and the Longhorns to the Fiesta Bowl
Fiesta Bowl
The Fiesta Bowl, now sponsored by Frito-Lay and named with their Tostitos brand, is a United States college football bowl game played annually at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Between its origination in 1971 and 2006, the game was hosted in Tempe, Arizona at Sun Devil...
. At the conclusion of the regular season, Colt McCoy
Colt McCoy
Daniel "Colt" McCoy is an American football quarterback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Browns in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft...
was one of the three finalists for the Heisman trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
along with Tim Tebow
Tim Tebow
Timothy Richard "Tim" Tebow is an American football player who is currently the starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Broncos as the 25th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft...
and Sam Bradford
Sam Bradford
Samuel Jacob "Sam" Bradford is an American football quarterback for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He was the first overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, and played college football at Oklahoma. In 2008, as a redshirt sophomore, Bradford became the second sophomore to win a...
who won the 2008 trophy. On January 5, 2009, the 3rd ranked University of Texas defeated 10th ranked Ohio State
Ohio State Buckeyes football
The Ohio State Buckeyes football team is an intercollegiate varsity sports team of The Ohio State University. The team is a member of the Big Ten Conference of the NCAA, playing at the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly Division I-A, level. The team nickname is derived from the state...
, 24–21, in the Fiesta Bowl
Fiesta Bowl
The Fiesta Bowl, now sponsored by Frito-Lay and named with their Tostitos brand, is a United States college football bowl game played annually at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Between its origination in 1971 and 2006, the game was hosted in Tempe, Arizona at Sun Devil...
the third meeting between the two schools. With under a minute to play, Texas WR Quan Cosby
Quan Cosby
Quantwan Cosby better known as Quan Cosby is an American football wide receiver for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. He was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football for the Texas Longhorns...
caught the game winning touchdown, ending the Longhorn's season with a 12–1 record at number 3 in the AP Poll.
The 2009 Texas team went undefeated (13–0) in the regular season and played Nebraska
Nebraska Cornhuskers football
The Nebraska Cornhuskers represent the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in college football. The program has established itself as a traditional powerhouse, and has the fourth-most all-time victories of any NCAA Division I-A team. Nebraska is one of only six football programs in NCAA Division I-A...
in the Big 12 Championship Game which they won 13–12 by a last second Hunter Lawrence
Hunter Lawrence
Hunter Lawrence Tried out for the job of placekicker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played college football at the University of Texas at Austin.-High school career:...
field goal, becoming the 2009 Big 12 Champions. The #2 Longhorns later faced #1 Alabama
Alabama Crimson Tide football
|TeamName = Alabama football |Image = Alabama Crimson Tide Logo.svg |ImageSize = 110 |Helmet = Alabama Football.png |ImageSize2 = 150 |CurrentSeason = 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team...
in the 2010 BCS National Championship Game
2010 BCS National Championship Game
The 2010 Citi BCS National Championship Game was the finale of the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season, and was played between the Texas Longhorns and the Alabama Crimson Tide. It was hosted by the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California,...
. Beginning with the sixth play of the first drive for Texas, true freshman quarterback Garrett Gilbert
Garrett Gilbert
Garrett Gilbert is a current quarterback for the SMU Mustangs college football team. Gilbert was regarded as one of the best high school quarterbacks of his class and was named the 2008 Offensive Player of the Year by USA Today....
would play due to an early shoulder injury to Heisman-nominated starting quarterback Colt McCoy
Colt McCoy
Daniel "Colt" McCoy is an American football quarterback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Browns in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft...
. Gilbert brought the team within 3 points in the fourth quarter, however Texas would eventually lose the game 37–21. Colt McCoy
Colt McCoy
Daniel "Colt" McCoy is an American football quarterback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Browns in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft...
was not only the winningest quarterback of Mack Brown's tenure, but also the winningest quarterback in NCAA history with 45 wins.
In 2010, after losing six players to the NFL Draft
NFL Draft
The National Football League Draft is an annual event in which the National Football League teams select eligible college football players and it is their most common source of player recruitment. The basic design of the draft is each team is given a position in the drafting order in reverse order...
, the Texas Longhorns suffered their worst season under Mack Brown, going 5–7 and finishing last in the Big 12 South. The 2010 season was a pivotal point in the Brown era where the string of nine 10 or more win seasons came to an end. The only signature win of the season was a 20–13 upset in Lincoln over Nebraska in their final in-conference match-up.
Home stadium
Stadium
A modern stadium is a place or venue for outdoor sports, concerts, or other events and consists of a field or stage either partly or completely surrounded by a structure designed to allow spectators to stand or sit and view the event.)Pausanias noted that for about half a century the only event...
capacity
Seating capacity
Seating capacity refers to the number of people who can be seated in a specific space, both in terms of the physical space available, and in terms of limitations set by law. Seating capacity can be used in the description of anything ranging from an automobile that seats two to a stadium that seats...
is 100,119, making it the largest football venue in the state of Texas, the largest in the Big 12 Conference
Big 12 Conference
The Big 12 Conference is a college athletic conference of ten schools located in the Central United States, with its headquarters located in Las Colinas, a community in the Dallas, Texas suburb of Irving...
, the fifth largest on-campus stadium in the NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
, and the seventh largest non-racing stadium in the world.
The stadium has been expanded several times since its original opening, and now includes 100,119 permanent seats, the nation's first high definition video display in a collegiate facility nicknamed "Godzillatron
Godzillatron
"Godzillatron" or "Adzillatron" is the nickname given to the scoreboard at the University of Texas at Austin's Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. The official name of the board has not yet been decided; it is simply referred to as the "Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium Scoreboard" by the...
," and a newly renovated Joe Jamail Field with FieldTurf
FieldTurf
FieldTurf is a brand of artificial turf playing surface. It is manufactured and installed by the FieldTurf Tarkett division of Tarkett Inc., based in Calhoun, Georgia, USA. In the late 1990s, the artificial surface changed the industry with a design intended to replicate real grass...
. The current DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium and Big 12 attendance record was set on September 25, 2010, as 101,437 spectators saw Texas lose to UCLA
UCLA Bruins Football
The UCLA Bruins football program represents the University of California, Los Angeles in college football as members of the Pacific-12 Conference at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The Bruins have enjoyed several periods of success in their history, having been ranked in the top ten of the AP Poll...
34–12.
The final planned phase of the stadium's expansion includes the construction of permanent seating and an upper deck in the south end zone, completely enclosing the playing field. The stadium's seating capacity is expected to reach 112,000 once the south end zone is fully enclosed, which would mean DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium would surpass Michigan Stadium
Michigan Stadium
Michigan Stadium, nicknamed "The Big House," is the football stadium for the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan Stadium was built in 1927 at a cost of $950,000 and had an original capacity of 72,000. Before playing football at the stadium, the Wolverines played on Ferry Field...
as the largest football stadium in North America. However, the date of the final construction phase to fully enclose the south end zone has not been set nor have any funds been raised. Varying sources claim this phase may not take place for upwards of 10 to 15 years.
Before the Longhorns football team moved to DKR, they played their home games at Clark Field
Clark Field (1887)
Clark Field, originally known as Varsity Athletic Field, was a stadium in Austin, Texas. It hosted the University of Texas at Austin Longhorns football and track teams until they moved to Darrell K Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium in 1924...
from 1894 to 1924. Clark Field was a wooden-structured stadium located on the University of Texas campus. The Longhorns last game at Clark Field before moving to brand new Memorial Stadium occurred on October 25, 1924. The Longhorns battled the Florida Gators to a 7–7 tie that day.
Colors
The 1893 team did not always wear orange. They also wore gold and white uniforms. In 1895, the Texas Athletic Association moved to orange and white colors. In 1897, the Association moved to orange and maroon to save cleaning costs. The Cactus Yearbook at the time listed the University colors as either gold or orange and white until the 1899 Cactus declared the University colors to be gold and maroon. Students at the University's medical branch in Galveston (UTMBUniversity of Texas Medical Branch
The University of Texas Medical Branch is a component of the University of Texas System located in Galveston, Texas, United States, about 50 miles southeast of Downtown Houston...
) were in favor of royal blue. By 1899, a UT fan could have worn any of yellow, orange, white, red, maroon, or even blue.
The Board of Regents held an election in that year to decide the team colors. Students, faculty, staff and alumni were asked vote. 1,111 votes were cast, with 562 in favor of orange and white. Orange and maroon received 310, royal blue 203, crimson 10, and royal blue and crimson 11. For the next thirty years, Longhorn teams wore bright orange on their uniforms, which faded to yellow by the end of the season. By the 1920s, other teams sometimes called the Longhorn squads "yellow bellies," a term that didn't sit well with the athletic department. In 1928, UT football coach Clyde Littlefield
Clyde Littlefield
Clyde Littlefield was the head track & field coach at The University of Texas from 1920 to 1961 as well as its football coach from 1927 to 1933. He became one of the greatest track coaches in NCAA history...
ordered uniforms in a darker shade of orange that wouldn't fade, which would later become known as "burnt orange" or "Texas orange." The dark-orange color was used until the dye became too expensive during the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
, and the uniforms reverted to the bright orange for another two decades, until coach Darrell K. Royal revived the burnt-orange color in the early 1960s.
For the 2009 Lone Star Showdown, the Longhorns wore a Nike
Nike, Inc.
Nike, Inc. is a major publicly traded sportswear and equipment supplier based in the United States. The company is headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, which is part of the Portland metropolitan area...
Pro Combat uniform.
Helmets
Bevo (mascot)
Bevo is the name of the mascot of the sports teams at the University of Texas at Austin, a Texas longhorn steer with burnt orange coloring. The shape of the Longhorn's head and horns gives rise to the school's hand symbol and saying, Hook 'em Horns...
" logo, which was also in burnt orange, with a large burnt-orange stripe down the middle of the helmet.
In 1977, the team moved to the current helmet design by changing to a white facemask. This helmet design is the one that is seen in the infobox at the beginning of this article.
Cotton
Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective capsule, around the seeds of cotton plants of the genus Gossypium. The fiber is almost pure cellulose. The botanical purpose of cotton fiber is to aid in seed dispersal....
.
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University is a coeducational public research university located in College Station, Texas . It is the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System. The sixth-largest university in the United States, A&M's enrollment for Fall 2011 was over 50,000 for the first time in school...
. This helmet was similar to the 1963–1966 helmet, but featured the current white facemask.
Recognized national championships (4)
{| border="0" style="width:100%;"|-
| valign="top" |
{| cellpadding="1" border="1" cellspacing="0" style="width:80%;"
|-
! style="background:#c50;"| Year
! style="background:#c50;"| Coach
! style="background:#c50;"| Selector
! style="background:#c50;"| Record
! style="background:#c50;"| Bowl
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1963
1963 Texas Longhorns football team
The 1963 Texas Longhorns football team represented the University of Texas at Austin in the 1963 college football season. The Longhorns won their first national championship...
|| Darrell Royal
Darrell Royal
Darrell K Royal is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Mississippi State University , the University of Washington , and the University of Texas at Austin , compiling a career college football record of 184–60–5...
|| AP
AP Poll
The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...
, Coaches
Coaches Poll
The USA Today Coaches' Poll is the current name for a weekly ranking of the top 25 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football and Division I college basketball teams....
|| 11–0 || Won Cotton
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1969
1969 Texas Longhorns football team
The 1969 Texas Longhorns football team represented the University of Texas at Austin in the 1969 college football season. The Longhorns won all of their games to finish 11-0 and win their second consensus National Championship in school history...
|| Darrell Royal
Darrell Royal
Darrell K Royal is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Mississippi State University , the University of Washington , and the University of Texas at Austin , compiling a career college football record of 184–60–5...
|| AP
AP Poll
The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...
, Coaches
Coaches Poll
The USA Today Coaches' Poll is the current name for a weekly ranking of the top 25 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football and Division I college basketball teams....
|| 11–0 || Won Cotton
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1970
1970 Texas Longhorns football team
The 1970 Texas Longhorns football team represented the University of Texas at Austin in the 1970 college football season. The Longhorns shared the National Championship with Nebraska...
|| Darrell Royal
Darrell Royal
Darrell K Royal is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Mississippi State University , the University of Washington , and the University of Texas at Austin , compiling a career college football record of 184–60–5...
|| Coaches
Coaches Poll
The USA Today Coaches' Poll is the current name for a weekly ranking of the top 25 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football and Division I college basketball teams....
|| 10–1 || Lost Cotton
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2005 || Mack Brown
Mack Brown
William Mack Brown is head coach of The University of Texas at Austin Longhorn football team.Prior to his head coach position at Texas, Brown was head coach at Appalachian State, Tulane, and North Carolina. Brown is credited with revitalizing the Texas and North Carolina football programs...
|| BCS
BCS National Championship Game
The BCS National Championship Game, or BCS National Championship, is the final bowl game of the annual Bowl Championship Series and is intended by the organizers of the BCS to determine the U.S. national champion of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision...
, AP
AP Poll
The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...
, Coaches
Coaches Poll
The USA Today Coaches' Poll is the current name for a weekly ranking of the top 25 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football and Division I college basketball teams....
|| 13–0 || Won Rose
|- style="text-align:center; background:#fff;"
| colspan="4"| Total national championships:
| colspan="2"| 4
|}
Texas has also been awarded twelve national titles by various polling organizations which are not recognized by either the NCAA nor the University:
- 1914, 1918, 1930, 1941, 1945, 1947, 1950, 1961, 1968, 19771977 Texas Longhorns football teamThe 1977 Texas Longhorns football team represented the University of Texas at Austin in the 1977 college football season.-Regular season:The Longhorns finished the regular season with a 11-0-0 record. As a collegiate football player at the University of Texas at Austin, Earl Campbell won the...
, 1981, and 2008
Conference championships (32)
Texas has won a combined 32 conference championships. Texas won the Southwest Conference 27 times, 21 times outright, the Texas-Intercollegiate League twice, and has won the Big 12 Conference three times. Texas ranks 6th in total conference championships won among all NCAA teams{| border="0"
|-
| valign="top" |
{| cellpadding="1" border="1" cellspacing="0" style="width:80%;"
|-
! style="background:#c50;"| Year
! style="background:#c50;"| Conference
! style="background:#c50;"| Overall Record
! style="background:#c50;"| Conference Record
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1913 || TIAA || 7–1 || 3–0
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1914 || TIAA || 8–0 || 4–0
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1916 || Southwest || 7–2 || 5–1
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1918 || Southwest || 9–0 || 4–0
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1920 || Southwest || 9–0 || 5–0
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1928 || Southwest || 7–2 || 5–1
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1930 || Southwest || 8–1–1 || 4–1
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1942 || Southwest || 9–2 || 5–1
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1943 || Southwest || 7–1–1 || 5–0
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1945 || Southwest || 10–1 || 5–1
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1950 || Southwest || 9–2 || 6–0
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1952 || Southwest || 9–2 || 6–0
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1953† || Southwest || 7–3 || 5–1
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1959† || Southwest || 9–2 || 5–1
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1961† || Southwest || 10–1 || 6–1
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1962 || Southwest || 9–1–1 || 6–0–1
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1963 || Southwest || 11–0 || 7–0
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1968† || Southwest || 9–1–1 || 6–1
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1969 || Southwest || 11–0 || 7–0
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1970 || Southwest || 10–1 || 7–0
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1971 || Southwest || 8–3 || 6–1
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1972 || Southwest || 10–1 || 7–0
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1973 || Southwest || 8–3 || 7–0
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1975† || Southwest || 10–2 || 6–1
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1977 || Southwest || 11–1 || 8–0
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1983 || Southwest || 11–1 || 8–0
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1990 || Southwest || 10–2 || 8–0
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1994† || Southwest || 8–4 || 4–3
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1995 || Southwest || 10–2–1 || 7–0
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1996 || Big 12 || 8–5 || 6–2
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2005 || Big 12 || 13–0 || 8–0
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2009 || Big 12|| 13–1 || 8–0
|}
† Denotes co-champions
Conference affiliations
- 1893–1895: IndependentNCAA Division I-A independent schoolsNCAA Football Bowl Subdivision independent schools are four-year institutions whose football programs are not part of an NCAA-affiliated conference. This means that FBS independents are not required to schedule each other for competition like conference schools do...
- 1896–1904: Southern Intercollegiate Athletic AssociationSouthern Intercollegiate Athletic AssociationThe Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association was one of the first collegiate athletic conferences in the United States. Twenty-seven of the current Division I FBS football programs were members of this conference at some point, as were at least 19 other schools...
- 1905–1912: Independent
- 1913–1914: Texas Intercollegiate Athletic AssociationTexas Intercollegiate Athletic AssociationThe Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association was an NCAA-affiliated Division III college athletic association for schools in Texas from 1976 to 1996....
- 1915–1995: Southwest Conference
- 1996–present: Big 12 ConferenceBig 12 ConferenceThe Big 12 Conference is a college athletic conference of ten schools located in the Central United States, with its headquarters located in Las Colinas, a community in the Dallas, Texas suburb of Irving...
Divisional championships (7)
Texas has won a share of 7 Big 12 South titles, 5 of which resulted in an appearance in the Big 12 Championship Game. Texas is 3–2 in those appearances. Starting 2011, the new ten team Big 12 Conference will cease to have divisions and conference championship games.{| border="0" style="width:100%;"
|-
| valign="top" |
{| cellpadding="1" border="1" cellspacing="0" style="width:80%;"
|-
! style="background:#c50;"| Year
! style="background:#c50;"| Division Championship
! style="background:#c50;"| Big 12 CG Result
! style="background:#c50;"| Opponent
! style="background:#c50;"| PF
! style="background:#c50;"| PA
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1996 || Big 12 South || W || Nebraska
Nebraska Cornhuskers football
The Nebraska Cornhuskers represent the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in college football. The program has established itself as a traditional powerhouse, and has the fourth-most all-time victories of any NCAA Division I-A team. Nebraska is one of only six football programs in NCAA Division I-A...
|| 37 || 27
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1999
1999 Texas Longhorns football team
The 1999 Texas Longhorns football team represented the University of Texas at Austin in the 1999 NCAA Division I-A football season.-Schedule:...
|| Big 12 South || L || Nebraska || 6 ||22
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2001 || Big 12 South || L || Colorado
Colorado Buffaloes football
The Colorado Buffaloes football program represents the University of Colorado at Boulder in college football at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The team is currently a member of the Pacific-12 Conference, having previously been a charter member of the Big 12 Conference. Before joining the Big 12,...
|| 37 || 39
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2002 || Big 12 South || NA* || NA || NA || NA
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2005 || Big 12 South || W || Colorado || 70 || 3
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2008 || Big 12 South || NA† || NA || NA || NA
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2009 || Big 12 South || W || Nebraska || 13 || 12
|}
†A three-way tie in the Big 12 South Division between Texas, Oklahoma and Texas Tech all with 7–1 conference records, due to a tie-breaking rule Oklahoma advanced to the Big 12 Championship Game.
Bowl Championship Series games (4)
Texas has played in 4 BCS gamesBowl Championship Series
The Bowl Championship Series is a selection system that creates five bowl match-ups involving ten of the top ranked teams in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , including an opportunity for the top two to compete in the BCS National Championship Game.The BCS relies on a combination of...
, including two BCS National Championships.
{| border="0" style="width:100%;"
|-
| valign="top" |
{| cellpadding="1" border="1" cellspacing="0" style="width:80%;"
|-
! style="background:#c50;"| Year
! style="background:#c50;"| BCS Game
! style="background:#c50;"| BCS Game Result
! style="background:#c50;"| Opponent
! style="background:#c50;"| PF
! style="background:#c50;"| PA
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2005 || Rose Bowl
Rose Bowl Game
The Rose Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game, usually played on January 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. When New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, the game is played on Monday, January 2...
|| W || #12 Michigan
2004 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 2004 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 2004 college football season. The team's head football coach was Lloyd Carr. The Wolverines played their home games at Michigan Stadium...
|| 38 || 37
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2006 || Rose Bowl
Rose Bowl Game
The Rose Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game, usually played on January 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. When New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, the game is played on Monday, January 2...
(BCS National Championship) || W || #1 USC
2005 USC Trojans football team
The 2005 USC Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California in the college football season of 2005–2006, winning the Pacific-10 Conference , and playing for the NCAA Division I-A national championship...
|| 41 || 38
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2008 || Fiesta Bowl
Fiesta Bowl
The Fiesta Bowl, now sponsored by Frito-Lay and named with their Tostitos brand, is a United States college football bowl game played annually at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Between its origination in 1971 and 2006, the game was hosted in Tempe, Arizona at Sun Devil...
|| W || #10 Ohio State
2008 Ohio State Buckeyes football team
The 2008 Ohio State Buckeyes football team competed in football on behalf of the Ohio State University during the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Buckeyes were coached by Jim Tressel and played their home games in Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio...
|| 24 || 21
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2009 || BCS National Championship (@ Rose Bowl
Rose Bowl Game
The Rose Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game, usually played on January 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. When New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, the game is played on Monday, January 2...
) || L || #1 Alabama
2009 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
The 2009 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 77th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference and its 18th within the SEC Western Division...
|| 21 || 37
|}
Bowl game appearances (49)
At the end of the 2010 season, Texas is tied with TennesseeUniversity of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee is a public land-grant university headquartered at Knoxville, Tennessee, United States...
for 2nd in all time bowl appearances in the NCAA FBS at 49, trailing only behind Alabama
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
at 51. (Note: Some years Texas went to two bowls although they were in different seasons)
{| border="0" style="width:100%;"
|-
| valign="top" |
{| cellpadding="1" border="1" cellspacing="0" style="width:80%;"
|-
! style="background:#c50;"| Bowl Game
! style="background:#c50;"| # of Appearances
! style="background:#c50;"| First Year
! style="background:#c50;"| Last Year
! style="background:#c50;"| Bowl Record
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Cotton Bowl || 22 || 1943 || 2003 || 11–10–1
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Bluebonnet Bowl
Bluebonnet Bowl
The Bluebonnet Bowl was an annual college football bowl game played in Houston, Texas. A civic group was appointed by the Houston Chamber of Commerce Athletics Committee in 1959 to organize the bowl game. It was held at Rice Stadium from 1959 through 1967, and again in 1985 and 1986. The game was...
† || 6 || 1960 || 1987 || 3–2–1
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Sun Bowl
Sun Bowl
The Sun Bowl is an annual U.S. college football bowl game that is usually played at the end of December in El Paso, Texas. The Sun Bowl, along with the Sugar Bowl and the Orange Bowl are the second-oldest bowl games in the country, behind the Rose Bowl...
|| 4 || 1978 || 1994 || 2–2–0
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Holiday Bowl
Holiday Bowl
The Holiday Bowl is a post-season NCAA-sanctioned Division I-A college football bowl game that has been played annually at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California, since 1978. Beginning with the 2010 playing the bowl will officially be known as the Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl after...
|| 4 || 2000 || 2007 || 2–2–0
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Sugar Bowl
Sugar Bowl
The Sugar Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game played in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Sugar Bowl has been played annually since January 1, 1935, and celebrated its 75th anniversary on January 2, 2009...
|| 3 || 1948 || 1995 || 1–2–0
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Orange Bowl
Orange Bowl
The Orange Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game played at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. It has been played annually since January 1, 1935 and celebrated its 75th playing on January 1, 2009...
|| 2 || 1949 || 1965 || 2–0–0
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Fiesta Bowl
Fiesta Bowl
The Fiesta Bowl, now sponsored by Frito-Lay and named with their Tostitos brand, is a United States college football bowl game played annually at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Between its origination in 1971 and 2006, the game was hosted in Tempe, Arizona at Sun Devil...
|| 2 || 1997 || 2009 || 1–1–0
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Rose Bowl
Rose Bowl Game
The Rose Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game, usually played on January 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. When New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, the game is played on Monday, January 2...
|| 2* || 2005 || 2006* || 2–0–0*
|- style="text-align:center;"
| BCS National Championship || 2* || 2006* || 2010 || 1–1–0*
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Gator Bowl
Gator Bowl
The Gator Bowl is an annual college football bowl game played at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida. Held continuously since 1946, it is the sixth oldest college bowl, as well as the first one ever televised nationally...
|| 1 || 1974 || 1974 || 0–1–0
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Freedom Bowl
Freedom Bowl
The Freedom Bowl was an annual post-season college football bowl game played at Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, California, from 1984 to 1994. Beginning with the 1995 season, the Freedom Bowl's WAC tie-ins were merged with that of the Holiday Bowl and the game was dissolved...
‡ || 1 || 1984 || 1984 || 0–1–0
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Alamo Bowl
Alamo Bowl
The Alamo Bowl is a major American college football bowl game played annually since 1993 in the 65,000-seat Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. It matches the second choice team from the Pacific-12 Conference and the third choice team from the Big 12 Conference.Traditionally, the Alamo Bowl has been...
|| 1 || 2006 || 2006 || 1–0–0
|- style="text-align:center; background:#fff;"
|| Total Bowl Appearances:
|| 49
| colspan="2"| Total Bowl Record:
|| 25–22–2
|}
† The Bluebonnet Bowl in Houston, TX was discontinued in 1988, but was replaced by the Houston Bowl
Houston Bowl
The Houston Bowl is a now-defunct NCAA-sanctioned Division I-A college football bowl game that was played annually in Houston, Texas from 2000 to 2005. The game was originally known as the galleryfurniture.com Bowl in 2000 and 2001...
(2000–2001) and the Texas Bowl
Texas Bowl
The Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas, formerly known as the Texas Bowl, is a post-season NCAA-sanctioned Division I FBS college football bowl game that was held for the first time in 2006 in Houston, Texas. The bowl replaced the now-defunct Houston Bowl, which was played annually from 2000 to 2005...
(2006–current).
‡ The Freedom Bowl merged with the Holiday Bowl in 1995
Record book
National records- Texas ranks as the 2nd most winningest NCAA college football program with an 851–325–33 (72.3%) all-time win/loss record.
- Texas ranks 2nd in the NCAA post-season bowl game appearances with 49 appearances as of 2010 with a 25–22–2 record.
- Texas holds an NCAA record for most winning seasons at 105 out of 117 seasons of football.
- Texas is the only football program to post at least 10 wins from 2001–2009 seasons.
- Texas is the only football program to post at least 9 wins from 1998–2009 seasons.
Conference records
- Texas ranks 1st in the Big 12 conference for most bowl game appearances and victories.
- Texas ranks 1st with a Big 12 conference record of 140–39 (78%) since conference began in 1996.
- Texas holds the Big 12 Conference record for 21 consecutive conference wins from 2004–2006.
- Texas holds the record for the most Southwest Conference Championships won with 27.
- Texas won a record 6 straight Southwest Conference Championships from 1968–1973.
- Texas is 6th with 32 total conference championships won among all NCAA teams.
All-time records against other conferences
- Texas holds a 17–9–0 all time record against the Atlantic Coast Conference.
- Texas holds a 311–136–15 all time record against the Big 12 Conference.
- Texas holds a 6–4–1 all time record against the Big East Conference.
- Texas holds a 22–11–0 all time record against the Big 10 Conference.
- Texas holds a 157–51–8 all time record against the Conference USA.
- Texas holds a 5–10–0 all time record against the Division 1A Independents.
- Texas holds a 1–0–0 all time record against the Mid-American Conference.
- Texas holds a 68–23–1 all time record against the Mountain West Conference.
- Texas holds a 34–19–0 all time record against the Pacific-10 Conference.
- Texas holds a 95–46–4 all time record against the Southeastern Conference.
- Texas holds a 14–0–0 all time record against the Sun Belt Conference.
- Texas holds a 9–0–0 all time record against the Western Athletic Conference.
Poll records
- Texas holds the NCAA record of most consecutive weeks ranked at 162 from the 2000–2010 seasons.
- Texas ranks 6th in total appearances in the AP Poll with 680 weekly appearances.
- Texas has been ranked 64 times out of 74 final AP Polls since the poll began in 1936.
- Texas has appeared in 50 out of 60 pre-season polls since it began in 1950.
- Texas has been ranked #1 in the AP Poll a total of 45 weeks
- Texas has been ranked in the top 5 of the AP Poll a total of 267 weeks.
- Texas has been ranked in the top 10 of the AP Poll a total of 443 weeks.
- Texas has finished the season in the top 25 overall in 47 out of 73 possible polls.
- Texas has a 30–7–3 record when ranked the #1 team in the AP Poll
- Texas has played in six #1 vs #2 matchups and has posted victories in 4 of the six contests
Bowl records
- Texas is tied for 2nd in the NCAA post-season bowl game appearances with 49 appearances as of 2010 with a 25–22–2 record.
- Texas is tied for 3rd place with most all-time bowl victories.
- Texas had 6 consecutive bowl streaks from 1959–1964, 8 from 1968–1975, 9 from 1977–1985, and 12 from 1998–2009.
- Texas has 4 BCS Bowl appearances with 3–1 record in BCS Bowl games (75%) 2nd winningest.
- Texas holds the record for the most Cotton Bowl Classic appearances and victories.
- Texas is one of four teams to have won all original New Year's Day bowl games (Rose, Fiesta, Sugar, Orange, and Cotton Bowls).
Other accomplishments
- First college team to implement the famous Wing-T and Wishbone Offenses.
- Texas has 105 winning seasons out of 118 total seasons of football.
- Texas has had 9 undefeated seasons and 26 additional seasons with at most one loss and/or tie
- 23 seasons with 10 or more wins
- 10 seasons with 11 or more wins
Texas in the polls
{| border="0" style="width:100%;"|-
| valign="top" |
{| cellpadding="1" border="1" cellspacing="0" style="width:80%;"
|-
! style="background:#c50;"| Year
! style="background:#c50;"| Record
! style="background:#c50;"| AP
! style="background:#c50;"| Coaches
|-
| 1941
| 8–1–1
| 4
| N/A
|-
| 1942
| 9–2–0
| 11
| N/A
|-
| 1943
| 7–1–1
| 14
| N/A
|-
| 1945
| 10–1–0
| 5
| N/A
|-
| 1946
| 8–2–0
| 15
| N/A
|-
| 1947
| 10–1–0
| 5
| N/A
|-
| 1950
| 9–2–0
| 3
| 2
|-
| 1952
| 9–2–0
| 10
| 11
|-
| 1953
| 7–3–0
| 11
| 8
|-
| 1957
| 6–4–1
| 11
| 11
|-
| 1959
| 9–2–0
| 4
| 4
|-
| 1960
| 7–3–1
| N/A
| 17
|-
| 1961
| 10–1–0
| 3
| 4
|-
| 1962
| 9–1–1
| 4
| 4
|-
| 1963
| 11–0–0
| 1
| 1
|-
| 1964
| 10–1–0
| 5
| 5
|-
| 1968
| 9–1–1
| 3
| 5
|-
| 1969
| 11–0–0
| 1
| 1
|-
| 1970
| 10–1–0
| 3
| 1
|-
| 1971
| 8–3–0
| 18
| 12
|-
| 1972
| 10–1–0
| 3
| 5
|-
| 1973
| 8–3–0
| 14
| 8
|-
| 1974
| 8–4–0
| 17
| N/A
|-
| 1975
| 10–2–0
| 6
| 7
|}
{| border="0" style="width:100%;"
|-
| valign="top" |
{| cellpadding="1" border="1" cellspacing="0" style="width:80%;"
|-
! style="background:#c50;"| Year
! style="background:#c50;"| Record
! style="background:#c50;"| AP
! style="background:#c50;"| Coaches
|-
| 1977
| 11–1–0
| 4
| 5
|-
| 1978
| 9–3–0
| 9
| 9
|-
| 1979
| 9–3–0
| 12
| 13
|-
| 1981
| 10–1–1
| 2
| 4
|-
| 1982
| 9–3–0
| 17
| 18
|-
| 1983
| 11–1–0
| 5
| 5
|-
| 1987
| 7–5–0
| N/A
| 19
|-
| 1990
| 10–2–0
| 12
| 11
|-
| 1994
| 8–4–0
| 25
| 23
|-
| 1995
| 10–2–1
| 14
| 14
|-
| 1996
| 8–5–0
| 23
| 23
|-
| 1998
| 9–3–0
| 15
| 16
|-
| 1999
| 9–5–0
| 21
| 23
|-
| 2000
| 9–3–0
| 12
| 12
|-
| 2001
| 11–2–0
| 5
| 5
|-
| 2002
| 11–2–0
| 6
| 7
|-
| 2003
| 10–3–0
| 12
| 11
|-
| 2004
| 11–1–0
| 5
| 4
|-
| 2005
| 13–0–0
| 1
| 1
|-
| 2006
| 10–3–0
| 13
| 13
|-
| 2007
| 10–3–0
| 10
| 10
|-
| 2008
| 12–1–0
| 4
| 3
|-
| 2009
| 13–1–0
| 2
| 2
|}
|}
National awards and honors
The University of Texas has had 129 Longhorns selected to the College Football All-America TeamCollege Football All-America Team
The College Football All-America Team is an honor given annually to the best American college football players at their respective positions. The original usage of the term All-America seems to have been to the 1889 College Football All-America Team selected by Casper Whitney and published in This...
including 53 Consensus and 22 Unanimous; Texas also has 17 players and coaches that have been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame
The College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and museum devoted to college football. Located in South Bend, Indiana, it is connected to a convention center and situated in the city's renovated downtown district, two miles south of the University of Notre Dame campus. It is slated to move...
.
Major honors
- Heisman TrophyHeisman TrophyThe Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
Most Outstanding Player
- Earl CampbellEarl CampbellEarl Christian Campbell , nicknamed The Tyler Rose, is a former professional American Football running back. He, Paul Hornung and O.J Simpson are the only people to have won the Heisman Trophy , were first overall National Football League draft picks and are in both the Pro Football Hall of Fame...
– 1977 - Ricky WilliamsRicky WilliamsErrick Lynne "Ricky" Williams, Jr. is an American football running back for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints fifth overall in the 1999 NFL Draft...
– 19981998 NCAA Division I-A football seasonThe 1998 NCAA Division I-A football season was the first of the Bowl Championship Series, which saw Tennessee win the national championship, one year after star quarterback Peyton Manning left for the NFL...
- Maxwell AwardMaxwell AwardThe Maxwell Award is presented annually to the collegiate American football player judged by a panel of sportscasters, sportswriters, and National Collegiate Athletic Association head coaches and the membership of the Maxwell Football Club to be the best football player in the United States. The...
Best Football Player
- Maxwell Award
- Tommy NobisTommy NobisThomas Henry Nobis, Jr. is a former American football player. He attended Thomas Jefferson High School where he was an all-state offensive end and middle linebacker...
– 1965 - Ricky WilliamsRicky WilliamsErrick Lynne "Ricky" Williams, Jr. is an American football running back for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints fifth overall in the 1999 NFL Draft...
– 1998 - Vince YoungVince YoungVincent Paul Young, Jr. , nicknamed "VY", is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He spent the first five seasons of his career with the Tennessee Titans. Young was the third overall draft pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college...
– 20052005 NCAA Division I-A football seasonThe 2005 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with the least amount of controversy surrounding the Bowl Championship Series title game in many years.To an extent it was a return to classic football... - Colt McCoyColt McCoyDaniel "Colt" McCoy is an American football quarterback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Browns in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft...
– 20092009 NCAA Division I FBS football seasonThe 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season, or the college football season, began on September 2, 2009, progressed through the regular season and bowl season, and concluded with the Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game in Pasadena, California on January 7, 2010, featuring the...
- Walter Camp AwardWalter Camp AwardThe Walter Camp Player of the Year Award is given annually to the collegiate American football Player of the Year, as decided by a group of National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I-A head coaches and sports information directors under the auspices of the Walter Camp Football Foundation;...
Player of the Year
- Walter Camp Award
- Ricky WilliamsRicky WilliamsErrick Lynne "Ricky" Williams, Jr. is an American football running back for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints fifth overall in the 1999 NFL Draft...
– 1998 - Colt McCoyColt McCoyDaniel "Colt" McCoy is an American football quarterback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Browns in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft...
– 20082008 NCAA Division I FBS football seasonThe 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season, or the college football season, began on August 28, 2008, progressing through the regular season and bowl season, and concluded with the Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game in Miami Gardens, Florida on January 8, 2009, where the #2... - Colt McCoyColt McCoyDaniel "Colt" McCoy is an American football quarterback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Browns in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft...
– 2009- Chic Harley AwardChic Harley AwardThe Chic Harley Award is presented by the Touchdown Club of Columbus to the College Football Player of the Year. The winner is selected by a committee of college football coaches, and is named after Ohio State All-America football legend, Chic Harley. It was first presented to Ohio State's Howard...
College Football Player of the Year
- Chic Harley Award
- Earl CampbellEarl CampbellEarl Christian Campbell , nicknamed The Tyler Rose, is a former professional American Football running back. He, Paul Hornung and O.J Simpson are the only people to have won the Heisman Trophy , were first overall National Football League draft picks and are in both the Pro Football Hall of Fame...
– 1977 - Ricky WilliamsRicky WilliamsErrick Lynne "Ricky" Williams, Jr. is an American football running back for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints fifth overall in the 1999 NFL Draft...
– 1998 - Colt McCoyColt McCoyDaniel "Colt" McCoy is an American football quarterback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Browns in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft...
– 2009- Archie Griffin AwardArchie Griffin AwardThe Archie Griffin Award, named after the only two-time Heisman Trophy winner in history Archie Griffin, was first presented to Virginia Tech quarterback Michael Vick in 1999. The specially designed ring is one of the few college football awards presented after all bowl games are completed and...
Most Valuable Player
- Archie Griffin Award
- Vince YoungVince YoungVincent Paul Young, Jr. , nicknamed "VY", is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He spent the first five seasons of his career with the Tennessee Titans. Young was the third overall draft pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college...
– 2005 - Colt McCoyColt McCoyDaniel "Colt" McCoy is an American football quarterback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Browns in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft...
– 2009- AT&T ESPN All-America PlayerAT&T ESPN All-America PlayerThe AT&T ESPN All-America Player is a joint marketing venture between AT&T and ESPN that allows fans to select college football's player of the week and player of the year respectively. Each "vote" counts as an entry into an AT&T sweepstakes, usually for a trip to the BCS National Championship...
Fans Most Valuable Player
- AT&T ESPN All-America Player
- Cedric BensonCedric BensonCedric Myron Benson is an American football running back for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears fourth overall in the 2005 NFL Draft...
– 2004 - Vince YoungVince YoungVincent Paul Young, Jr. , nicknamed "VY", is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He spent the first five seasons of his career with the Tennessee Titans. Young was the third overall draft pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college...
– 2005 - Colt McCoyColt McCoyDaniel "Colt" McCoy is an American football quarterback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Browns in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft...
– 2009- AP Player of the YearAssociated Press College Football Player of the Year AwardThe Associated Press College Football Player of the Year award has been awarded annually since 1998 to the most outstanding collegiate football player in the country. The winner is chosen by a vote of AP sportswriters and sports editors from throughout the country.-Winners:-Winners by school:...
Most Outstanding Player
- AP Player of the Year
- Ricky WilliamsRicky WilliamsErrick Lynne "Ricky" Williams, Jr. is an American football running back for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints fifth overall in the 1999 NFL Draft...
– 1998- SN Player of the YearSporting News College Football Player of the YearBeginning in 1942 The Sporting News, now known as Sporting News, awarded the top collegiate football player its own award. The publication picked players that often were not seriously considered by the Downtown Athletic Club, who voted on the Heisman Trophy, such as underclassman or defensive...
Top Collegiate Football Player
- SN Player of the Year
- Earl CampbellEarl CampbellEarl Christian Campbell , nicknamed The Tyler Rose, is a former professional American Football running back. He, Paul Hornung and O.J Simpson are the only people to have won the Heisman Trophy , were first overall National Football League draft picks and are in both the Pro Football Hall of Fame...
– 1977 - Ricky WilliamsRicky WilliamsErrick Lynne "Ricky" Williams, Jr. is an American football running back for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints fifth overall in the 1999 NFL Draft...
– 1998 - Colt McCoyColt McCoyDaniel "Colt" McCoy is an American football quarterback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Browns in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft...
– 2009- UPI Player of the YearUPI College Football Player of the YearThe United Press International College Football Player of the Year Award was among the first and most recognized college football awards. With the demise of UPI in 1997 the award was discontinued. Offensive and defensive players were eligible. Tommy Nobis was the runner-up that season...
NCAA Coaches Player of the Year
- UPI Player of the Year
- Earl CampbellEarl CampbellEarl Christian Campbell , nicknamed The Tyler Rose, is a former professional American Football running back. He, Paul Hornung and O.J Simpson are the only people to have won the Heisman Trophy , were first overall National Football League draft picks and are in both the Pro Football Hall of Fame...
– 1977- Freshman of the Year
Top Quarterback
- Freshman of the Year
- Colt McCoyColt McCoyDaniel "Colt" McCoy is an American football quarterback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Browns in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft...
– 2006
University honors
- Retired Jersey Numbers
University Honor
- Bobby LayneBobby LayneRobert Lawrence "Bobby" Layne was an American football quarterback who played for 15 seasons in the National Football League. He played for the Chicago Bears in 1948, the New York Bulldogs in 1949, the Detroit Lions from 1950–1958, and the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1958–1962...
(#22) – 1944–1947 - Tommy NobisTommy NobisThomas Henry Nobis, Jr. is a former American football player. He attended Thomas Jefferson High School where he was an all-state offensive end and middle linebacker...
(#60) – 1963–1965 - Earl CampbellEarl CampbellEarl Christian Campbell , nicknamed The Tyler Rose, is a former professional American Football running back. He, Paul Hornung and O.J Simpson are the only people to have won the Heisman Trophy , were first overall National Football League draft picks and are in both the Pro Football Hall of Fame...
(#20) – 1974–1977 - Ricky WilliamsRicky WilliamsErrick Lynne "Ricky" Williams, Jr. is an American football running back for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints fifth overall in the 1999 NFL Draft...
(#34) – 1995–1998 - Vince YoungVince YoungVincent Paul Young, Jr. , nicknamed "VY", is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He spent the first five seasons of his career with the Tennessee Titans. Young was the third overall draft pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college...
(#10) – 2003–2005 - Colt McCoyColt McCoyDaniel "Colt" McCoy is an American football quarterback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Browns in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft...
(#12) – 2006–2009
Offensive honors
- Doak Walker AwardDoak Walker AwardThe Doak Walker Award, first awarded in 1990, honors the United States's top college football running back. It is named after the Southern Methodist and Detroit Lions football player Doak Walker...
Best Running Back
- Ricky WilliamsRicky WilliamsErrick Lynne "Ricky" Williams, Jr. is an American football running back for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints fifth overall in the 1999 NFL Draft...
– 19971997 NCAA Division I-A football seasonThe 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season, play of college football in the United States organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association at the Division I-A level, began in late summer 1997 and culminated with the major bowl games in early January 1998. The national championship was... - Ricky WilliamsRicky WilliamsErrick Lynne "Ricky" Williams, Jr. is an American football running back for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints fifth overall in the 1999 NFL Draft...
– 1998 - Cedric BensonCedric BensonCedric Myron Benson is an American football running back for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears fourth overall in the 2005 NFL Draft...
– 2004- Jim Brown Trophy
Top Running Back
- Jim Brown Trophy
- Ricky WilliamsRicky WilliamsErrick Lynne "Ricky" Williams, Jr. is an American football running back for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints fifth overall in the 1999 NFL Draft...
– 1997 - Ricky WilliamsRicky WilliamsErrick Lynne "Ricky" Williams, Jr. is an American football running back for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints fifth overall in the 1999 NFL Draft...
– 1998- Paul Warfield Trophy
Top Wide Receiver
- Paul Warfield Trophy
- Jordan ShipleyJordan ShipleyJordan Shipley is an American football player who currently plays wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League . He was drafted by Cincinnati in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft...
– 2009- Davey O'Brien AwardDavey O'Brien AwardThe Davey O'Brien Award, officially the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award, named after Davey O'Brien, is presented annually to the collegiate American football player adjudged by the Davey O'Brien Foundation to be the best of all National Collegiate Athletic Association quarterbacks. The...
Best Quarterback
- Davey O'Brien Award
- Vince YoungVince YoungVincent Paul Young, Jr. , nicknamed "VY", is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He spent the first five seasons of his career with the Tennessee Titans. Young was the third overall draft pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college...
– 2005 - Colt McCoyColt McCoyDaniel "Colt" McCoy is an American football quarterback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Browns in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft...
– 2009- Johnny Unitas Golden Arm AwardJohnny Unitas Golden Arm AwardThe Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award is given annually in the United States to the nation's outstanding senior quarterback in college football. It was established in 1987 by a foundation named for Johnny Unitas , the Hall of Fame quarterback who played his college career at the University of...
Outstanding Senior Quarterback
- Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award
- Colt McCoyColt McCoyDaniel "Colt" McCoy is an American football quarterback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Browns in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft...
– 2009- Manning AwardManning AwardThe Manning Award has been presented annually since 2004 to the collegiate American football quarterback adjudged by the Sugar Bowl Committee to be the best in the United States...
Best Quarterback
- Manning Award
- Vince YoungVince YoungVincent Paul Young, Jr. , nicknamed "VY", is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He spent the first five seasons of his career with the Tennessee Titans. Young was the third overall draft pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college...
– 2005 - Colt McCoyColt McCoyDaniel "Colt" McCoy is an American football quarterback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Browns in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft...
– 2009- Quarterback of the Year
Top Quarterback
- Quarterback of the Year
- Colt McCoyColt McCoyDaniel "Colt" McCoy is an American football quarterback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Browns in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft...
– 2009
Coaching Honors
- AFCA AwardAFCA Coach of the YearThe AFCA Coach of the Year award is given annually to a college football coach by the American Football Coaches Association . The award has had several different sponors over the years, including Eastman Kodak Corporation, and thus also been named the Kodak Coach of the Year Award.-Football Bowl...
Coach of the Year
- Darrell RoyalDarrell RoyalDarrell K Royal is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Mississippi State University , the University of Washington , and the University of Texas at Austin , compiling a career college football record of 184–60–5...
– 1963 - Darrell RoyalDarrell RoyalDarrell K Royal is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Mississippi State University , the University of Washington , and the University of Texas at Austin , compiling a career college football record of 184–60–5...
– 1970- Eddie Robinson AwardEddie Robinson Coach of the YearThe Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year award is given annually to a college football coach by the Football Writers Association of America. The award honors Eddie Robinson, former coach at Grambling State who holds the second best record for most Division I wins with 408 behind only Joe...
Coach of the Year
- Eddie Robinson Award
- Darrell RoyalDarrell RoyalDarrell K Royal is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Mississippi State University , the University of Washington , and the University of Texas at Austin , compiling a career college football record of 184–60–5...
– 1961 - Darrell RoyalDarrell RoyalDarrell K Royal is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Mississippi State University , the University of Washington , and the University of Texas at Austin , compiling a career college football record of 184–60–5...
– 1963- SN National Coach of the YearSporting News College Football Coach of the YearThe Sporting News College Football Coach of the Year Award is an award that is given annually to NCAA college football's national coach of the year. The Sporting News established the award beginning in 1963...
Coach of the Year
- SN National Coach of the Year
- Darrell RoyalDarrell RoyalDarrell K Royal is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Mississippi State University , the University of Washington , and the University of Texas at Austin , compiling a career college football record of 184–60–5...
– 1963 - Darrell RoyalDarrell RoyalDarrell K Royal is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Mississippi State University , the University of Washington , and the University of Texas at Austin , compiling a career college football record of 184–60–5...
– 1969- Paul "Bear" Bryant Award
Coach of the Year
- Paul "Bear" Bryant Award
- Mack BrownMack BrownWilliam Mack Brown is head coach of The University of Texas at Austin Longhorn football team.Prior to his head coach position at Texas, Brown was head coach at Appalachian State, Tulane, and North Carolina. Brown is credited with revitalizing the Texas and North Carolina football programs...
– 2005- Bobby Dodd AwardBobby Dodd Coach of the Year AwardThe Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award is an annual college football award given to the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision head coach whose team excels on the field, in the classroom, and in the community. The award is named for Bobby Dodd, longtime head football coach at Georgia Tech and was...
Coach of the Year
- Bobby Dodd Award
- Mack BrownMack BrownWilliam Mack Brown is head coach of The University of Texas at Austin Longhorn football team.Prior to his head coach position at Texas, Brown was head coach at Appalachian State, Tulane, and North Carolina. Brown is credited with revitalizing the Texas and North Carolina football programs...
– 2008- Broyles AwardBroyles AwardThe Broyles Award is an annual award given to honor the best assistant coach in college football. First awarded in 1996, it was named after former University of Arkansas men's athletic director Frank Broyles...
Best Assistant Coach
- Broyles Award
- Greg Davis – 2005
- AFCA Award
Assistant Coach of the Year
- AFCA Award
- Mac McWhorterMac McWhorterHamilton Pierce "Mac" McWhorter is the former offensive line coach for the Texas Longhorns and was the interim head coach for Georgia Tech's football team in 2001 after George O'Leary resigned and only coached for one game, the 2001 Seattle Bowl against No. 11-ranked Stanford...
– 2008
Defensive honors
- Lombardi AwardLombardi AwardThe Rotary Lombardi Award is awarded annually to the best college football lineman or linebacker. The Lombardi Award program was approved by the Rotary Club in Houston in 1970 shortly after the death of Vince Lombardi. The committee outlined the criteria for eligibility for the award, which...
Best Defensive Player
- Kenneth SimsKenneth SimsKenneth Wayne Sims is a former American professional football player who was selected by the New England Patriots as the first overall pick in the 1982 NFL Draft. A 6'5", 272 lbs. defensive end from the University of Texas at Austin, where he was a two-time All-American...
– 1981 - Tony DegrateTony DegrateAnthony Degrate , is a former American professional football player who was selected by the Green Bay Packers as the 127th overall pick in the 1985 NFL Draft. A 6'4", 280 lbs. defensive end from the University of Texas at Austin, Degrate played one game for the Packers during the 1985 NFL...
– 19841984 NCAA Division I-A football seasonThe 1984 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with Brigham Young University winning their first national championship by beating an unranked Michigan team in the Holiday Bowl... - Brian OrakpoBrian Orakpo-Washington Redskins:Orakpo was drafted by the Washington Redskins 13th overall in the 2009 NFL Draft. On July 31, he signed a five-year deal worth $20 million, which includes $12.1 million guaranteed...
– 2008- Nagurski Trophy
Top Defensive Player
- Nagurski Trophy
- Derrick JohnsonDerrick Johnson-Kansas City Chiefs:Johnson started every game for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2005, becoming the first Chiefs linebacker in 20 years to start all 16 games of his rookie campaign. He was subsequently awarded the Mack Lee Hill Award by the Chiefs...
– 20042004 NCAA Division I-A football seasonThe 2004 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with several undefeated teams vying for a spot in the national title game, triggering controversy. In the 2003 season, no team finished the regular season unbeaten, and five teams finished the season with one loss... - Brian OrakpoBrian Orakpo-Washington Redskins:Orakpo was drafted by the Washington Redskins 13th overall in the 2009 NFL Draft. On July 31, he signed a five-year deal worth $20 million, which includes $12.1 million guaranteed...
– 2008- Outland TrophyOutland TrophyThe Outland Trophy is awarded to the best United States college football interior lineman by the Football Writers Association of America. It is named after John H. Outland. One of only a few players ever to be named All-America at two positions, Outland garnered consensus All-America honors in...
Top Interior Lineman
- Outland Trophy
- Scott AppletonScott AppletonGordon Scott Appleton was an American football defensive lineman in the American Football League. He played college football at the University of Texas, which won the national championship in 1963...
– 1963 - Tommy NobisTommy NobisThomas Henry Nobis, Jr. is a former American football player. He attended Thomas Jefferson High School where he was an all-state offensive end and middle linebacker...
– 1965 - Brad ShearerBrad ShearerBrad Shearer is a former American football player. He played for the NFL's Chicago Bears from 1978–81. He played college football for Texas. As a senior at Texas, he won the Outland Trophy....
– 1977- Dick Butkus AwardDick Butkus AwardThe Butkus Award, instituted in 1985, is given annually to the top linebackers at the high school, collegiate and professional levels of football...
Best Linebacker
- Dick Butkus Award
- Derrick JohnsonDerrick Johnson-Kansas City Chiefs:Johnson started every game for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2005, becoming the first Chiefs linebacker in 20 years to start all 16 games of his rookie campaign. He was subsequently awarded the Mack Lee Hill Award by the Chiefs...
– 2004- Jack Lambert Trophy
Top Linebacker
- Jack Lambert Trophy
- Derrick JohnsonDerrick Johnson-Kansas City Chiefs:Johnson started every game for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2005, becoming the first Chiefs linebacker in 20 years to start all 16 games of his rookie campaign. He was subsequently awarded the Mack Lee Hill Award by the Chiefs...
– 2004- Jim Thorpe AwardJim Thorpe AwardThe Jim Thorpe Award, named in memory of multi-sport legend Jim Thorpe, has been awarded to the top defensive back in college football since 1986...
Top Defensive Back
- Jim Thorpe Award
- Michael HuffMichael HuffMichael Wayne Huff II. is an American Football Free Safety for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. He played collegiately as a CB/S for The University of Texas Longhorns.-High school career:...
– 2005 - Aaron Ross – 20062006 NCAA Division I-A football seasonThe 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season, or the college football season, began on August 31, 2006 and, aside from all-star exhibition games that followed, concluded with the Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game on January 8, 2007 in Glendale, Arizona, where the #2 Florida...
- Ted Hendricks AwardTed Hendricks AwardThe Ted Hendricks Award is given annually to college football's top defensive end. The award is named after Ted Hendricks, who is a member of both the College Football Hall of Fame as well as the Pro Football Hall of Fame and is presented by his own 501 foundation, called the Ted Hendricks...
Top Defensive End
- Ted Hendricks Award
- Brian OrakpoBrian Orakpo-Washington Redskins:Orakpo was drafted by the Washington Redskins 13th overall in the 2009 NFL Draft. On July 31, he signed a five-year deal worth $20 million, which includes $12.1 million guaranteed...
– 2008- Bill Willis Trophy
Top Defensive Lineman
- Bill Willis Trophy
- Brian OrakpoBrian Orakpo-Washington Redskins:Orakpo was drafted by the Washington Redskins 13th overall in the 2009 NFL Draft. On July 31, he signed a five-year deal worth $20 million, which includes $12.1 million guaranteed...
– 2008- UPI Lineman of the YearUPI Lineman of the Year (College)The United Press International college football lineman of the year award was among the first and most recognized college football awards. With the demise of UPI in 1997 the award was discontinued. Offensive and defensive linemen were eligible, including offensive ends, with one, Howard Twilley,...
Lineman of the Year
- UPI Lineman of the Year
- Scott AppletonScott AppletonGordon Scott Appleton was an American football defensive lineman in the American Football League. He played college football at the University of Texas, which won the national championship in 1963...
– 1963 - Kenneth SimsKenneth SimsKenneth Wayne Sims is a former American professional football player who was selected by the New England Patriots as the first overall pick in the 1982 NFL Draft. A 6'5", 272 lbs. defensive end from the University of Texas at Austin, where he was a two-time All-American...
– 1981
Other honors
- Draddy Trophy (Academic Heisman)
Best On and Off Field Performance
- Dallas Griffin – 2007
- Sam AchoSam AchoSamuel Onyedikachi Acho is an American football linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals. Acho played college football at the University of Texas.-Early years:Acho attended St. Mark's School in Dallas, Texas...
– 2010- Nils V. "Swede" Nelson Award
Best Sportsmanship
- Nils V. "Swede" Nelson Award
- Pat CulpepperPat CulpepperPat Culpepper is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at Northern Illinois University from 1976 to 1979, compiling a record of 14–29–1.-External links:*...
– 1962- Wuerffel TrophyWuerffel TrophyThe Wuerffel Trophy is an award given annually by the All Sports Association of Fort Walton Beach, Florida to the college football player "who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement." It is named for Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel, a former football...
Athletics, Academics, & Community Service
- Wuerffel Trophy
- Sam AchoSam AchoSamuel Onyedikachi Acho is an American football linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals. Acho played college football at the University of Texas.-Early years:Acho attended St. Mark's School in Dallas, Texas...
– 2010- Today's Top VIII AwardToday's Top VIII AwardThe Today's Top VIII Award is given each year by the National Collegiate Athletic Association to honor eight outstanding senior student-athletes of the preceding calendar year. From 1973 through 1985, this award was known as the Today's Top V Award or the Top Five Award and was given to honor five...
Outstanding Senior Student-Athletes
- Today's Top VIII Award
- Kenneth SimsKenneth SimsKenneth Wayne Sims is a former American professional football player who was selected by the New England Patriots as the first overall pick in the 1982 NFL Draft. A 6'5", 272 lbs. defensive end from the University of Texas at Austin, where he was a two-time All-American...
– 1982- Amos Alonzo Stagg AwardAmos Alonzo Stagg AwardThe Amos Alonzo Stagg Award is presented annually by the American Football Coaches Association to the “individual, group or institution whose services have been outstanding in the advancement of the best interests of football’’. Recipients receive a plaque which is a replica of the one given to...
Outstanding Service for College Football
- Amos Alonzo Stagg Award
- Dana X. BibleDana X. BibleDana Xenophon Bible was an American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at Mississippi College , Louisiana State University , Texas A&M University , the University of Nebraska , and the University of Texas...
– 1954
(Head Coach and Athletic Director) - Darrell RoyalDarrell RoyalDarrell K Royal is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Mississippi State University , the University of Washington , and the University of Texas at Austin , compiling a career college football record of 184–60–5...
– 2010
(Head Coach and Athletic Director)
Conference awards
As of 2009 the Texas Longhorns have had 492 All-Conference Players since 1915, including 292 in the Southwest Conference and 200 in the Big 12 where the Longhorn player have had 63 first team and 43 second team all conference players.- Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year
- Ricky WilliamsRicky WilliamsErrick Lynne "Ricky" Williams, Jr. is an American football running back for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints fifth overall in the 1999 NFL Draft...
, RB, 1997 - Ricky WilliamsRicky WilliamsErrick Lynne "Ricky" Williams, Jr. is an American football running back for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints fifth overall in the 1999 NFL Draft...
, RB, 1998 - Major ApplewhiteMajor ApplewhiteMajor Lee Applewhite is the Co-Offensive Coordinator and Running Backs Coach for the University of Texas. Prior to Texas, Applewhite served as offensive coordinator at Rice University under Todd Graham in 2006, and at the University of Alabama under Nick Saban in 2007...
, QB, 1999 - Vince YoungVince YoungVincent Paul Young, Jr. , nicknamed "VY", is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He spent the first five seasons of his career with the Tennessee Titans. Young was the third overall draft pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college...
, QB, 2005 - Colt McCoyColt McCoyDaniel "Colt" McCoy is an American football quarterback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Browns in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft...
, QB, 2009- Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year
- Major ApplewhiteMajor ApplewhiteMajor Lee Applewhite is the Co-Offensive Coordinator and Running Backs Coach for the University of Texas. Prior to Texas, Applewhite served as offensive coordinator at Rice University under Todd Graham in 2006, and at the University of Alabama under Nick Saban in 2007...
, QB, 1998 - Roy WilliamsRoy Williams (wide receiver)Roy Eugene Williams, Jr. is an American football wide receiver who is currently a member of the Chicago Bears. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions seventh overall in the 2004 NFL Draft...
, WR, 2000 - Cedric BensonCedric BensonCedric Myron Benson is an American football running back for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears fourth overall in the 2005 NFL Draft...
, RB, 2001 - Vince YoungVince YoungVincent Paul Young, Jr. , nicknamed "VY", is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He spent the first five seasons of his career with the Tennessee Titans. Young was the third overall draft pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college...
, QB, 2003 - Jamaal CharlesJamaal CharlesJamaal RaShaad Jones Charles is an American football running back for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Chiefs in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
, RB, 2005 - Colt McCoyColt McCoyDaniel "Colt" McCoy is an American football quarterback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Browns in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft...
, QB, 2006- Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year
- Justin BlalockJustin BlalockJustin Christopher Blalock is an American football NFL player for the Atlanta Falcons. He played college ball as the right tackle for the Texas Longhorns under coach Mack Brown. He stands at 6'3.25" and weighs 320 lbs.-High school career:Blalock attended Plano East Senior High School, playing...
, 2006
- Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year
- Casey HamptonCasey HamptonCasey "Big Snack" Hampton, Jr. is an American football nose tackle who currently plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League.-Early years:...
, DL, 2000 - Derrick JohnsonDerrick Johnson-Kansas City Chiefs:Johnson started every game for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2005, becoming the first Chiefs linebacker in 20 years to start all 16 games of his rookie campaign. He was subsequently awarded the Mack Lee Hill Award by the Chiefs...
, LB, 2004 - Aaron Ross, DB, 2006
- Brian OrakpoBrian Orakpo-Washington Redskins:Orakpo was drafted by the Washington Redskins 13th overall in the 2009 NFL Draft. On July 31, he signed a five-year deal worth $20 million, which includes $12.1 million guaranteed...
, DL, 2008- Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year
- Cory ReddingCory ReddingCory Bartholomew Redding is an American football defensive end for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
, DL, 1999 - Derrick JohnsonDerrick Johnson-Kansas City Chiefs:Johnson started every game for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2005, becoming the first Chiefs linebacker in 20 years to start all 16 games of his rookie campaign. He was subsequently awarded the Mack Lee Hill Award by the Chiefs...
, LB, 2001 - Rodrique WrightRodrique WrightRodrique Charles Wright is an American football defensive end who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
, DL, 2002 - Brian OrakpoBrian Orakpo-Washington Redskins:Orakpo was drafted by the Washington Redskins 13th overall in the 2009 NFL Draft. On July 31, he signed a five-year deal worth $20 million, which includes $12.1 million guaranteed...
, DL, 2005- Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year
- Brian OrakpoBrian Orakpo-Washington Redskins:Orakpo was drafted by the Washington Redskins 13th overall in the 2009 NFL Draft. On July 31, he signed a five-year deal worth $20 million, which includes $12.1 million guaranteed...
, 2008- Big 12 Coach of the Year
- Mack BrownMack BrownWilliam Mack Brown is head coach of The University of Texas at Austin Longhorn football team.Prior to his head coach position at Texas, Brown was head coach at Appalachian State, Tulane, and North Carolina. Brown is credited with revitalizing the Texas and North Carolina football programs...
, 2005 - Mack BrownMack BrownWilliam Mack Brown is head coach of The University of Texas at Austin Longhorn football team.Prior to his head coach position at Texas, Brown was head coach at Appalachian State, Tulane, and North Carolina. Brown is credited with revitalizing the Texas and North Carolina football programs...
, 2009
Longhorns in the NFL
314 Longhorns have been drafted into the NFL, including 43 in the 1st roundAs of June 9, 2010, 57 Longhorns currently play or coach in the NFL.
- Cedric BensonCedric BensonCedric Myron Benson is an American football running back for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears fourth overall in the 2005 NFL Draft...
, RB, Cincinnati BengalsCincinnati BengalsThe Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL... - Justin BlalockJustin BlalockJustin Christopher Blalock is an American football NFL player for the Atlanta Falcons. He played college ball as the right tackle for the Texas Longhorns under coach Mack Brown. He stands at 6'3.25" and weighs 320 lbs.-High school career:Blalock attended Plano East Senior High School, playing...
, OG, Atlanta FalconsAtlanta FalconsThe Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... - Tarell BrownTarell BrownTarell Brown is a professional American football player for the San Francisco 49ers.-High school career:He played for North Mesquite High School in Mesquite, Texas. Tarell Brown played in the 2003 U.S...
, CB, San Francisco 49ersSan Francisco 49ersThe San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and... - Jamaal CharlesJamaal CharlesJamaal RaShaad Jones Charles is an American football running back for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Chiefs in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
, RB, Kansas City ChiefsKansas City ChiefsThe Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a... - Quan CosbyQuan CosbyQuantwan Cosby better known as Quan Cosby is an American football wide receiver for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. He was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football for the Texas Longhorns...
, WR, Cincinnati BengalsCincinnati BengalsThe Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL... - Tim CrowderTim Crowder-Denver Broncos:Crowder was selected in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos. He was the second defensive end selected by the club in that draft, and the second player to come from a recent BCS Championship team....
, DE, Tampa Bay BuccaneersTampa Bay BuccaneersThe Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West... - Leonard DavisLeonard DavisLeonard Barnett Davis is an American football guard for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the first round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas.Davis has also played for the Dallas Cowboys.-Early years:Davis is the...
, OG, Dallas CowboysDallas CowboysThe Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas... - Phil DawsonPhil DawsonPhilip Drury Dawson is an American football placekicker for the Cleveland Browns in the National Football League. He holds the franchise record for most field goals made, passing Hall of Famer Lou Groza in 2010...
, K, Cleveland BrownsCleveland BrownsThe Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Derrick DockeryDerrick DockeryDerrick Dewayne Dockery is an American football guard for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
, OG, Washington RedskinsWashington RedskinsThe Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,... - Jermichael FinleyJermichael Finley-Green Bay Packers:Finley was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He battled Tory Humphrey in training camp to be the Packers' No. 2 tight end...
, TE, Green Bay PackersGreen Bay PackersThe Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions... - Cedric GriffinCedric GriffinCedric Leonard Griffin is an American football cornerback for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League.He was born in Natchez, Mississippi and graduated from Holmes High School in San Antonio, Texas. He played college football for The University of Texas Longhorns and was a stand-out...
, CB, Minnesota VikingsMinnesota VikingsThe Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960... - Michael Griffin, S, Tennessee TitansTennessee TitansThe Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
- Ahmard HallAhmard HallAhmard Rashad Hall is an American football fullback for the Tennessee Titans of the NFL. He was originally signed by the Titans as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He played college football at Texas.-Early years:...
, FB, Tennessee TitansTennessee TitansThe Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter... - Casey HamptonCasey HamptonCasey "Big Snack" Hampton, Jr. is an American football nose tackle who currently plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League.-Early years:...
, DT, Pittsburgh SteelersPittsburgh SteelersThe Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC... - Tony HillsTony Hills (American football)Anthony Tremaine Hills is an American football offensive tackle for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
, OT, Pittsburgh SteelersPittsburgh SteelersThe Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC... - Lamarr HoustonLamarr HoustonHouston was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft, and started his rookie year at left defensive end.-External links:*...
, DT, Oakland RaidersOakland RaidersThe Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Michael HuffMichael HuffMichael Wayne Huff II. is an American Football Free Safety for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. He played collegiately as a CB/S for The University of Texas Longhorns.-High school career:...
, S, Oakland RaidersOakland RaidersThe Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Quentin JammerQuentin JammerQuentin Tremaine Jammer is an American football player who currently plays cornerback for the San Diego Chargers of the NFL.- Early years :...
, CB, San Diego ChargersSan Diego ChargersThe San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Derrick JohnsonDerrick Johnson-Kansas City Chiefs:Johnson started every game for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2005, becoming the first Chiefs linebacker in 20 years to start all 16 games of his rookie campaign. He was subsequently awarded the Mack Lee Hill Award by the Chiefs...
, LB, Kansas City ChiefsKansas City ChiefsThe Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
- Sergio KindleSergio Kindle-Baltimore Ravens:Although deemed a first-round talent by most analysts, many teams were scared off by Kindle's often-injured knee and his off-the-field incidents. Kindle fell into the second round and was ultimately drafted by the Baltimore Ravens, 43rd overall. He said in a press conference...
, OLB, Baltimore RavensBaltimore RavensThe Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his... - Hunter LawrenceHunter LawrenceHunter Lawrence Tried out for the job of placekicker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played college football at the University of Texas at Austin.-High school career:...
, PK, Tampa Bay BuccaneersTampa Bay BuccaneersThe Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West... - D.D Lewis, LB, Free AgentFree agentIn professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
- Cullen LoefflerCullen LoefflerCullen Crawford Loeffler is an American football long snapper for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League. He was signed by the Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2004. He played college football for the Texas Longhorns.-Early years:Loeffler attended Ingram Tom Moore High School...
, DS, Minnesota VikingsMinnesota VikingsThe Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960... - Derek LokeyDerek LokeyDerek Ray Lokey is an American football defensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Texas....
, DT, Kansas City ChiefsKansas City ChiefsThe Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a... - Colt McCoyColt McCoyDaniel "Colt" McCoy is an American football quarterback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Browns in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft...
, QB, Cleveland BrownsCleveland BrownsThe Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Richmond McGeeRichmond McGeeRichmond McGee is an American football punter for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as a street free agent in 2008...
, PT, Chicago BearsChicago BearsThe Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... - Henry MeltonHenry MeltonHenry Melton is a defensive tackle for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He is an alumnus of the University of Texas...
, DE, Chicago BearsChicago BearsThe Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... - Roy MillerRoy Miller (American football)Roy Miller is an American football defensive tackle for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buccaneers in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas.-Early years:...
, DT, Tampa Bay BuccaneersTampa Bay BuccaneersThe Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West... - Roddrick MuckelroyRoddrick MuckelroyRoddrick Muckelroy is an American football linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals. Mucklelroy attended Hallsville High School. He graduated in December 2008 with a degree in corporate communications. He is cousin of former NFL player Joe King...
, LB, Cincinnati BengalsCincinnati BengalsThe Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL... - Chris OgbonnayaChris OgbonnayaChris Ogbonnaya is an American football running back for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft...
, RB, St. Louis RamsSt. Louis RamsThe St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,... - Frank OkamFrank OkamFranklin Nonyelu Okam, Jr. is an American football defensive tackle for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was drafted by the Houston Texans in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas.-Early years:...
, DT, Houston TexansHouston TexansThe Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Brian OrakpoBrian Orakpo-Washington Redskins:Orakpo was drafted by the Washington Redskins 13th overall in the 2009 NFL Draft. On July 31, he signed a five-year deal worth $20 million, which includes $12.1 million guaranteed...
, OLB, Washington RedskinsWashington RedskinsThe Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,... - Cory ReddingCory ReddingCory Bartholomew Redding is an American football defensive end for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
, DE, Baltimore RavensBaltimore RavensThe Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his... - Brian RobisonBrian RobisonBrian Gale Robison is an American football defensive end for the Minnesota Vikings. He played college football for the Texas Longhorns...
, DE, Minnesota VikingsMinnesota VikingsThe Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960... - Shaun Rogers, DT, New Orleans SaintsNew Orleans SaintsThe New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
- Aaron Ross, CB, New York GiantsNew York GiantsThe New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
- Bo ScaifeBo ScaifeOliver Edward "Bo" Scaife, III is an American football tight end for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
, TE, Tennessee TitansTennessee TitansThe Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
- Jonathan Scott, OT, Buffalo BillsBuffalo BillsThe Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
- Lyle SendleinLyle SendleinLyle Sendlein is an American football center for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was signed by the Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2007...
, C, Arizona CardinalsArizona CardinalsThe Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... - Jordan ShipleyJordan ShipleyJordan Shipley is an American football player who currently plays wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League . He was drafted by Cincinnati in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft...
, WR, Cincinnati BengalsCincinnati BengalsThe Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL... - Chris SimmsChris SimmsChristopher David Simms is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round of in the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas.Simms has also played for the Denver Broncos and Tampa Bay Buccaneers...
, QB, Tennessee TitansTennessee TitansThe Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter... - Kasey StuddardKasey StuddardKasey Studdard is an American football offensive guard for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. The son of former Denver Broncos tackle Dave Studdard, he was drafted by the Texans in the sixth round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
, OG, Houston TexansHouston TexansThe Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Limas SweedLimas SweedLimas Lee Sweed, Jr. is a former American football wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He played collegiately for the Texas Longhorns. On April 26, 2008 Sweed was taken 53rd overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2008 NFL Draft.-High school:Sweed attended...
, WR, Pittsburgh SteelersPittsburgh SteelersThe Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC... - Charlie Tanner, OG, New York JetsNew York JetsThe New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
- Earl ThomasEarl Thomas (defensive back)Earl Thomas is an American football safety for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Seahawks with the 14th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas....
, S, Seattle SeahawksSeattle SeahawksThe Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team... - David ThomasDavid Thomas (American football)John David Thomas is an American football tight end for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
, TE, New Orleans SaintsNew Orleans SaintsThe New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League .... - Adam UlatoskiAdam UlatoskiAdam Ulatoski is an American football offensive tackle, most recently for the Houston Texans. He played college football at the University of Texas at Austin and was considered one of the best offensive tackles of his class....
, OT, Houston TexansHouston TexansThe Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Nathan VasherNathan VasherNathaniel DeWayne Vasher is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
, CB, San Diego ChargersSan Diego ChargersThe San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Mike WilliamsMike Williams (offensive lineman)Michael Deshaun "Mike" Williams is an American football offensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills fourth overall in the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas...
, OT, Washington RedskinsWashington RedskinsThe Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,... - Ricky WilliamsRicky WilliamsErrick Lynne "Ricky" Williams, Jr. is an American football running back for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints fifth overall in the 1999 NFL Draft...
, RB, Baltimore RavensBaltimore RavensThe Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his... - Roy E. Williams, WR, Chicago BearsChicago BearsThe Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
- Rodrique WrightRodrique WrightRodrique Charles Wright is an American football defensive end who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
, DT, New York JetsNew York JetsThe New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Vince YoungVince YoungVincent Paul Young, Jr. , nicknamed "VY", is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He spent the first five seasons of his career with the Tennessee Titans. Young was the third overall draft pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college...
, QB, Philadelphia EaglesPhiladelphia EaglesThe Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... - Phil DawsonPhil DawsonPhilip Drury Dawson is an American football placekicker for the Cleveland Browns in the National Football League. He holds the franchise record for most field goals made, passing Hall of Famer Lou Groza in 2010...
, PK, Cleveland BrownsCleveland BrownsThe Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
Coaches
- Richard Hightower, Houston TexansHouston TexansThe Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
- Alan LowryAlan LowryAlan Lowry is the special-teams coordinator for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League.He completed his 25th season in the NFL, the last 11 with the Titans.-College career:...
, Tennessee TitansTennessee TitansThe Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter... - Kyle ShanahanKyle ShanahanKyle Shanahan is an NFL offensive coordinator for the Washington Redskins. Shanahan, at 28 years, 26 days old, became the youngest coordinator in the NFL when he was promoted by the Houston Texans on January 11, 2008...
, Washington RedskinsWashington RedskinsThe Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
Rivalries
For additional information see the UT rivalries pageThe University's biggest rival historically is their instate rival, Texas A&M University. Their most significant and most fierce rivalry however is with the University of Oklahoma. Texas once had a major rivalry with Southwest Conference foe Arkansas, however this rivalry has become less important since Arkansas joined the SEC
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
and because the schools no longer play each other regularly. Texas Tech has become one of the Longhorns newest instate football rivalries which has grown over the last decade. Texas holds winning records over all four of their main rivals in football.
Oklahoma Sooners
Texas has a long-standing rivalry with the University of OklahomaUniversity of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
. The football game between the University of Texas and Oklahoma is commonly known as the "Red River Rivalry
Red River Rivalry
The Red River Rivalry, commonly known as the OU-Texas Game or Texas-OU Game, is an American college football rivalry game played annually by the Oklahoma Sooners football team of the University of Oklahoma and the Texas Longhorns football team of the University of Texas. The series is considered...
" and is held annually in Dallas, Texas at the Cotton Bowl
Cotton Bowl (stadium)
The Cotton Bowl is a stadium which opened in 1929 and became known as "The House That Doak Built" due to the immense crowds that former SMU running back Doak Walker drew to the stadium during his college career in the late 1940s. Originally known as Fair Park Stadium, it is located in Fair Park,...
. Dallas is used as a "neutral site" since it is approximately mid-way between the two campuses. The stadium is split, with each team having an equal number of supporters on each side of the 50 yard line. Texas state flags fly around the Longhorn end of the stadium and Oklahoma state flags fly around the Sooner end. This border rivalry is often considered to be one of the top five current rivalries in the NCAA.
The Red River Shootout originated in 1900, while Oklahoma was still a territory of the United States, and it is the longest-running college-football rivalry played on a neutral field. Since 2005, the football game has received sponsorship dollars in return for being referred to as the "SBC Red River Rivalry" (changed to AT&T Red River Rivalry in 2006 after SBC merged with AT&T), a move which has been criticized both for its commercialism
Commercialism
Commercialism, in its original meaning, is the practices, methods, aims, and spirit of commerce or business. Today, however, it primarily refers to the tendency within open-market capitalism to turn everything into objects, images, and services sold for the purpose of generating profit...
and its political correctness
Political correctness
Political correctness is a term which denotes language, ideas, policies, and behavior seen as seeking to minimize social and institutional offense in occupational, gender, racial, cultural, sexual orientation, certain other religions, beliefs or ideologies, disability, and age-related contexts,...
. The University of Texas holds its annual Torchlight Parade during the week of the Red River Rivalry.
In recent years, this rivalry has taken on added significance, since both football programs have been highly ranked and compete in the same division of the Big 12 conference. In 2005, the Dallas Morning News did an opinion poll of the 119 Division 1A football coaches as to the nations top rivalry game
Sports rivalry
A sports rivalry is intense competition between athletic teams or athletes. This pressure of competition is felt by players, coaches, and management, but is perhaps felt strongest by the fans. The intensity of the rivalry varies from a friendly competition on one end to serious violence on the...
in college football. The Texas-OU game was ranked third.
The game typically has conference or even national significance. Since 1945, one or both of the two teams has been ranked among the top 25 teams in the nation coming into 60 out of 65 games. Twice Texas has defeated the Sooners a record eight straight times from 1940–1947 and 1958–1965. One of the most significant meetings was in 1963 with Oklahoma ranked #1 and Texas ranked #2, the game won by Texas 28–7 en route to their first officially recognized national championship. The series has also had its share of games that came down to the wire and comebacks most recently in 2009 when Texas cemented a 16–13 victory in the fourth quarter over OU. Texas leads the all-time series 59–41–5, with a 47–37–4 edge in Dallas. Texas also holds a 33–30–3 advantage over Oklahoma in the post-modern era. The game has also been the result of controversy. The meeting in 1976 was a heated affair as the Oklahoma staff was accused of spying on Texas' practices, a move later confirmed by former OU head coach Barry Switzer. In the 2008 season Texas scored 45 points over then number 1 Oklahoma for the win, but even with the victory Texas would not go on to the Big 12 Championship game due to BCS rankings. Six of the last ten showings featured one of the participants in the BCS National Championship Game (2000, 2003–2005, 2008, 2009), including national titles won by Oklahoma in 2000
2000 Oklahoma Sooners football team
The 2000 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma in the college football season of 2000-2001. This season was Bob Stoops's second as head coach. The Sooners finished with a 13-0 record winning the Big 12 Conference and the national championship, the seventh national...
and by Texas in 2005
2005 Texas Longhorn football team
The 2005 Texas Longhorn football team represented the University of Texas at Austin during the 2005 NCAA Division I-A football season, winning the Big 12 Conference championship and the national championship. The team was coached by Mack Brown, led on offense by quarterback Vince Young, and played...
.
Texas A&M Aggies
The first meeting between the football squads of the University of Texas and Texas A&M was in 1894, a 38–0 win for Texas. In fact, Texas won its first seven games against the Aggies, all of them by shutout. By 1915 Texas held a 15–4–2 advantage against the Aggies. The game was a back and forth affair for the next twenty years as the home team usually took the victory in the game, however Texas still maintained the series lead. In 1940, Texas shutout the Aggies 7–0 and kept them from receiving the Rose Bowl bid that year. From that year forward Texas would go on to win thirty-three of the next thirty-eight games over A&M. It was not until the mid 1980's that A&M developed a win streak over Texas and in the late 1990s and 2000s the rivalry would again go back to Longhorns. The Texas/Texas A&M rivalry has given rise to several stereotypes on both sides: Texas A&M is generally portrayed as the ruralRural
Rural areas or the country or countryside are areas that are not urbanized, though when large areas are described, country towns and smaller cities will be included. They have a low population density, and typically much of the land is devoted to agriculture...
smaller school while Texas is portrayed as the urban
Urban area
An urban area is characterized by higher population density and vast human features in comparison to areas surrounding it. Urban areas may be cities, towns or conurbations, but the term is not commonly extended to rural settlements such as villages and hamlets.Urban areas are created and further...
-wealthy larger school. With the exception of the 1994 game, when A&M's probation restricted the Aggies from being televised, the annual football game with Texas A&M traditionally takes place on Thanksgiving Day
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Day is a holiday celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada. Thanksgiving is celebrated each year on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. In Canada, Thanksgiving falls on the same day as Columbus Day in the...
or the day after each year. This iconic in-state rivalry is often considered one of the top college rivalries of all time.
In an attempt to generate more attention for the rivalry in sports other than football, the two schools created the Lone Star Showdown in 2004. Essentially, each time the two schools meet in a sport, the winner of the matchup gets a point. At the end of the year, the school with the most points wins the series and receives the Lone Star Trophy.
Aspects of the rivalry include:
- Each school mentions the other in its fight song ("and it's goodbye to A&M" in Texas FightTexas Fight"Texas Fight" is the official fight song of the University of Texas at Austin and was written by Colonel Walter S. Hunnicutt in collaboration with James E. King, then director of the Marlin High School Band....
, and the entire second verse of the Aggie War HymnAggie War HymnThe Aggie War Hymn is the official fight song of Texas A&M University.-History:It was written by J.V. "Pinky" Wilson, one of many Aggies who fought in World War I...
is about Texas). - The football series is the third longest running rivalry in all of college football. Since 1900, the last regular season football game is usually reserved for their matchup.
- Each school has elaborate pre-game preparations for the annual football clash, including the Aggie BonfireAggie BonfireAggie Bonfire was a long-standing tradition at Texas A&M University as part of the college rivalry with the University of Texas at Austin. For 90 years, Texas A&M students—known as Aggies—built and burned a bonfire on campus each autumn...
and the Hex RallyHex RallyHex Rally was a pep rally at The University of Texas at Austin that occurred in the week prior to the annual football game between the Texas Longhorns and their in-state rivals, the Texas A&M Aggies.-History:... - Texas has a unique lighting scheme for the UT TowerMain Building of The University of Texas at AustinThe Main Building is a structure at the center of the University of Texas campus in Austin, Texas, United States...
after wins over Texas A&M. - In the past, mischief has preceded the annual game, such as "kidnapping" Bevo.
- Texas is 76–37–5 all-time against Texas A&M, including 43–19–2 on Thanksgiving Day.
- Texas is 46–13–1 all-time against Texas A&M in Austin as of 11–25–10.
- Texas improved to 25–22–2 at Kyle FieldKyle FieldKyle Field is the football stadium located on the campus of Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. It has been the home to the Texas A&M Aggie football team in rudimentary form since 1904, and as a complete stadium since 1927. It is known as The Home of the 12th Man...
in College Station as of 11–24–11.
Texas Tech Red Raiders
The first meeting between the Texas Longhorns and Texas Tech Matadors (as the team was known until 1937) was in 1928, a 12–0 win for Texas. The teams only faced each other nine times before 1960. From 1960 to 1995, both schools played annually as members of the Southwest Conference. Since 1996, both schools have played as members of the Big 12 ConferenceBig 12 Conference
The Big 12 Conference is a college athletic conference of ten schools located in the Central United States, with its headquarters located in Las Colinas, a community in the Dallas, Texas suburb of Irving...
.
In 1996, the Texas Tech University System
Texas Tech University System
The Texas Tech University System consists of three universities, Texas Tech University, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, and Angelo State University. Texas Tech University and Texas Tech University HSC together operate thirteen campuses, eleven of which are located in Texas. The...
was established and the system's first chancellor, John T. Montford, started the exchange of a traveling trophy between the two universities called the Chancellor's Spurs
Chancellor's Spurs
The Chancellor's Spurs is a trophy awarded to the winner of the in-state college football rivalry game between the Texas Longhorns and Texas Tech Red Raiders. The trophy is a set of spurs exchanged between the chancellors of the University of Texas System and Texas Tech University System...
. The spurs are gold and silver and engraved with Texas Tech's Double T
Double T
The Double T is a logo that is the most readily identified symbol of Texas Tech University.-History:The Double T is generally attributed to Texas Tech University's, then Texas Technical College, first football coach, E. Y. Freeland, and assistant coach, Grady Higginbotham. The Double T's design...
and Texas' interlocking UT logo. Texas leads the all-time series 45–15–0 as of the 2010 season.
Arkansas Razorbacks
Old Southwest Conference rivals, Texas and ArkansasArkansas Razorbacks football
The Arkansas Razorbacks football program is a college football team that represents the University of Arkansas. The team is a member of the Southeastern Conference's Western Division, which is in Division I's Football Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
first met in 1894, a 54–0 blowout by Texas. In the days of the Southwest Conference, the game between the two schools usually decided who would win the conference championship. Overall, Texas won the conference over Arkansas 75% of the time which led to an incredibly fierce and intense rivalry during the days of the Southwest Conference. The two programs have met 77 times with Texas holding a decisive 56–21–0 advantage and have had many big games. The meeting in 1969 was labeled the true Game of the Century
1969 Texas vs. Arkansas football game
The 1969 Texas vs. Arkansas football game, dubbed The Big Shootout and sometimes referred to as the "Game of The Century", was a legendary college football game on December 6, 1969 in which the top-ranked Texas Longhorns visited the second-ranked Arkansas Razorbacks at Razorback Stadium in...
commemorating the 100th year of college football, which led to the Longhorns' 1969 national championship. This game still does not sit well with Razorback fans to this day. The game saw Arkansas lead throughout the entire game only to have Texas come from behind and win in the final minutes 15–14. Although the Texas-Arkansas game was commonly known as The Big Shootout
The Big Shootout
The Arkansas–Texas football rivalry, also known as the The Big Shootout, is an American college football rivalry between the Arkansas Razorbacks football team of the University of Arkansas and the Texas Longhorns football team of the University of Texas dating back to 1894. Texas and Arkansas' most...
, it has not been regularly played since Arkansas's departure from the Southwest Conference to the Southeastern Conference
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
in 1991. However, many Longhorn and Razorback fans consider this matchup an important rivalry. Texas and Arkansas' most recent meeting was in September 2008 in which Texas dominated Arkansas, 52–10. Texas and Arkansas will play again in the 2014 season.
Texas Longhorn Rivalries: All-time Records
{| cellpadding="1" border="1" cellspacing="0" style="width:100%;"
|-
! style="background:#c50;"|Team
! style="background:#c50;"|Rivalry name
! style="background:#c50;"|Trophy
! style="background:#c50;"|Games played
! style="background:#c50;"|First meeting
! style="background:#c50;"|Last meeting
! style="background:#c50;"|UT win
! style="background:#c50;"|UT loss
! style="background:#c50;"|Ties
! style="background:#c50;"|Win %
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Arkansas Razorbacks
Arkansas Razorbacks football
The Arkansas Razorbacks football program is a college football team that represents the University of Arkansas. The team is a member of the Southeastern Conference's Western Division, which is in Division I's Football Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
|| The Big Shootout
The Big Shootout
The Arkansas–Texas football rivalry, also known as the The Big Shootout, is an American college football rivalry between the Arkansas Razorbacks football team of the University of Arkansas and the Texas Longhorns football team of the University of Texas dating back to 1894. Texas and Arkansas' most...
|| none || 77 || 1894 || 2008 won 52–10 || 56 || 21 || 0 || .727
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma Sooners football
The Oklahoma Sooners football program is a college football team that represents the University of Oklahoma . The team is currently a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
|| Red River Rivalry
Red River Rivalry
The Red River Rivalry, commonly known as the OU-Texas Game or Texas-OU Game, is an American college football rivalry game played annually by the Oklahoma Sooners football team of the University of Oklahoma and the Texas Longhorns football team of the University of Texas. The series is considered...
|| Golden Hat
Red River Shootout trophies
There are three Red River Shootout trophies given to the winner of the annual Red River Shootout which is a college football rivalry game between The University of Texas Longhorns and the University of Oklahoma Sooners. The trophies are the Golden Hat, the Red River Rivalry trophy and the...
Governors' trophy
Red River Shootout trophies
There are three Red River Shootout trophies given to the winner of the annual Red River Shootout which is a college football rivalry game between The University of Texas Longhorns and the University of Oklahoma Sooners. The trophies are the Golden Hat, the Red River Rivalry trophy and the...
|| 106 || 1900 || 2011
2010 Texas Longhorns football team
The 2010 Texas Longhorn football team represented the University of Texas at Austin in the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Mack Brown, who has a contract lasting through the 2016 season...
lost 55–17 || 59 || 42 || 5 || .557
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Texas A&M Aggies
Texas A&M Aggies football
The Texas A&M Aggies football team represents Texas A&M University in college football. The Aggies have competed in the Big 12 Conference since the conference's inception in 1996. They will join the Southeastern Conference in July 2012. Texas A&M football has earned one national title and 18...
|| Lone Star Showdown || Lone Star Trophy || 118 || 1894 || 2011
2011 Texas Longhorns football team
The 2011 Texas Longhorns football team represents the University of Texas at Austin in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Longhorns will be led by 14th year head coach Mack Brown and will play their home games at Darrell K Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium. They are a member of the Big...
won 27–25 || 76 || 37 || 5 || .641
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Texas Tech Red Raiders
Texas Tech Red Raiders football
Texas Tech Red Raiders football program is a college football team that represents Texas Tech University . The team competes, as a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
|| none || Chancellor's Spurs
Chancellor's Spurs
The Chancellor's Spurs is a trophy awarded to the winner of the in-state college football rivalry game between the Texas Longhorns and Texas Tech Red Raiders. The trophy is a set of spurs exchanged between the chancellors of the University of Texas System and Texas Tech University System...
|| 61 || 1928 || 2011
2011 Texas Longhorns football team
The 2011 Texas Longhorns football team represents the University of Texas at Austin in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Longhorns will be led by 14th year head coach Mack Brown and will play their home games at Darrell K Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium. They are a member of the Big...
won 52–20 ||46 || 15 || 0 ||
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Baylor Bears
Baylor Bears football
The Baylor Bears football team represents Baylor University in Division I FBS college football. They are a member of the Big 12 Conference. The team plays its home games at Floyd Casey Stadium in Waco, Texas.-History:...
|| none || none || 100 || 1901 || 2010
2010 Baylor Bears football team
The 2010 Baylor Bears football team represented Baylor University in college football's 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Art Briles and played their home games at Floyd Casey Stadium in Waco, Texas. They are members of the Big 12 Conference in the South Division...
lost 30–22 || 73 || 22 || 4 ||
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Rice Owls
Rice Owls football
The Rice Owls football team represents Rice University in NCAA Division I college football. The Owls have competed in Conference USA's Western Division since 2005. Rice Stadium, built in 1950, hosts the Owls' home football games.-Venue:...
|| none || none || 93 || 1914 || 2011
2011 Texas Longhorns football team
The 2011 Texas Longhorns football team represents the University of Texas at Austin in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Longhorns will be led by 14th year head coach Mack Brown and will play their home games at Darrell K Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium. They are a member of the Big...
won 34–9 || 71 || 21 || 1 ||
|}
Traditions
For a more complete list see UT traditions.The University of Texas is a tradition-rich school, and many of those traditions are associated with athletics events, especially football. Some Longhorn traditions include:
Bevo
Bevo (mascot)
Bevo is the name of the mascot of the sports teams at the University of Texas at Austin, a Texas longhorn steer with burnt orange coloring. The shape of the Longhorn's head and horns gives rise to the school's hand symbol and saying, Hook 'em Horns...
, Big Bertha
Big Bertha (drum)
Big Bertha is a bass drum used by the Longhorn Band of The University of Texas at Austin. The Big Bertha name was chosen to evoke the famous German Big Bertha howitzer.-Description:...
, "The Eyes of Texas
The Eyes of Texas
"The Eyes of Texas" is the alma mater of the University of Texas at Austin. It is set to the tune of "I've Been Working on the Railroad." Students, faculty, staff, and alumni of the University sing the song at Longhorn sports games and other events....
", Hook 'em Horns
Hook 'em Horns
Hook 'em Horns is the slogan and hand signal of The University of Texas at Austin. Students and alumni of the university employ a greeting consisting of the phrase "Hook 'em" or "Hook 'em Horns" and also use the phrase as a parting good-bye or as the closing line in a letter or story.The gesture is...
, "Texas Fight
Texas Fight
"Texas Fight" is the official fight song of the University of Texas at Austin and was written by Colonel Walter S. Hunnicutt in collaboration with James E. King, then director of the Marlin High School Band....
", Smokey the Cannon
Smokey the Cannon
Smokey the Cannon is an artillery piece used as part of the pageantry of college football games of The University of Texas Longhorns. Smokey is operated and cared for by the Texas Cowboys, a University student organization. Smokey is fired each time the Longhorns score, at every kick-off, and at...
, The Showband of the Southwest
The University of Texas Longhorn Band
The University of Texas Longhorn Band, also known as the Showband of the Southwest or LHB, is the marching band of The University of Texas at Austin. The Longhorn Band was founded in 1900 by a distinguished professor of chemistry, Dr. Eugene P. Schoch. The band is currently under the direction of...
, The World's Largest Texas Flag
World's Largest Texas Flag
The World's Largest Texas Flag is a Texas flag used by the Alpha Rho chapter of Alpha Phi Omega , a national co-ed service fraternity, at the University of Texas at Austin in displays at football pre-game shows, at pep rallies, or for other purposes.-Field flag:The largest flag is used for...
, and Lighting the Tower
Main Building of The University of Texas at Austin
The Main Building is a structure at the center of the University of Texas campus in Austin, Texas, United States...
Schedules
Future conference gamesNon-conference games are scheduled in the first three week of the season, followed by a permanent conference schedule (excluding bye weeks).
{| cellpadding="1" border="1" cellspacing="0" style="width:100%;"
|-
! style="background:#c50;"|Years
! style="background:#c50;"|Week 4
! style="background:#c50;"|Week 5
! style="background:#c50;"|Week 6
! style="background:#c50;"|Week 7
! style="background:#c50;"|Week 8
! style="background:#c50;"|Week 9
! style="background:#c50;"|Week 10
! style="background:#c50;"|Week 11
! style="background:#c50;"|Week 12
|- style="text-align:center;"
|Even || Iowa State
Iowa State Cyclones football
The Iowa State Cyclones football team represents Iowa State University in college football. The Cyclones compete in the Big 12 Conference in the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision. ISU started playing football in 1892, however, it did not become an official sport until 1894...
|| vs
Cotton Bowl (stadium)
The Cotton Bowl is a stadium which opened in 1929 and became known as "The House That Doak Built" due to the immense crowds that former SMU running back Doak Walker drew to the stadium during his college career in the late 1940s. Originally known as Fair Park Stadium, it is located in Fair Park,...
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Sooners football
The Oklahoma Sooners football program is a college football team that represents the University of Oklahoma . The team is currently a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
|| at Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State Cowboys football
The Oklahoma State Cowboys football program represents Oklahoma State University–Stillwater in college football. The team is a member of the Big 12 Conference and completes at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. The Cowboys are led by Mike Gundy, who is in his seventh year as...
|| at Kansas
Kansas Jayhawks football
The Kansas Jayhawks football program is the intercollegiate football program of the University of Kansas Jayhawks. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I, and the team competes in the Big 12 Conference....
|| at Texas Tech
Texas Tech Red Raiders football
Texas Tech Red Raiders football program is a college football team that represents Texas Tech University . The team competes, as a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
|| Missouri
Missouri Tigers football
The Missouri Tigers football team represents the University of Missouri in NCAA Division I FBS college football. The team has competed in the North Division of the Big 12 Conference since the conference's inception in 1996...
|| at Kansas State
Kansas State Wildcats football
The Kansas State Wildcats football program is the intercollegiate football program of the Kansas State University Wildcats. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I Bowl Subdivision, and the team competes in the Big 12 Conference...
|| Texas A&M
Texas A&M Aggies football
The Texas A&M Aggies football team represents Texas A&M University in college football. The Aggies have competed in the Big 12 Conference since the conference's inception in 1996. They will join the Southeastern Conference in July 2012. Texas A&M football has earned one national title and 18...
|| Baylor
Baylor Bears football
The Baylor Bears football team represents Baylor University in Division I FBS college football. They are a member of the Big 12 Conference. The team plays its home games at Floyd Casey Stadium in Waco, Texas.-History:...
|- style="text-align:center;"
|Odd || at Iowa State
Iowa State Cyclones football
The Iowa State Cyclones football team represents Iowa State University in college football. The Cyclones compete in the Big 12 Conference in the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision. ISU started playing football in 1892, however, it did not become an official sport until 1894...
|| vs
Cotton Bowl (stadium)
The Cotton Bowl is a stadium which opened in 1929 and became known as "The House That Doak Built" due to the immense crowds that former SMU running back Doak Walker drew to the stadium during his college career in the late 1940s. Originally known as Fair Park Stadium, it is located in Fair Park,...
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Sooners football
The Oklahoma Sooners football program is a college football team that represents the University of Oklahoma . The team is currently a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
|| Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State Cowboys football
The Oklahoma State Cowboys football program represents Oklahoma State University–Stillwater in college football. The team is a member of the Big 12 Conference and completes at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. The Cowboys are led by Mike Gundy, who is in his seventh year as...
|| Kansas
Kansas Jayhawks football
The Kansas Jayhawks football program is the intercollegiate football program of the University of Kansas Jayhawks. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I, and the team competes in the Big 12 Conference....
|| Texas Tech
Texas Tech Red Raiders football
Texas Tech Red Raiders football program is a college football team that represents Texas Tech University . The team competes, as a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
|| at Missouri
Missouri Tigers football
The Missouri Tigers football team represents the University of Missouri in NCAA Division I FBS college football. The team has competed in the North Division of the Big 12 Conference since the conference's inception in 1996...
|| Kansas State
Kansas State Wildcats football
The Kansas State Wildcats football program is the intercollegiate football program of the Kansas State University Wildcats. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I Bowl Subdivision, and the team competes in the Big 12 Conference...
|| at Texas A&M
Texas A&M Aggies football
The Texas A&M Aggies football team represents Texas A&M University in college football. The Aggies have competed in the Big 12 Conference since the conference's inception in 1996. They will join the Southeastern Conference in July 2012. Texas A&M football has earned one national title and 18...
|| at Baylor
Baylor Bears football
The Baylor Bears football team represents Baylor University in Division I FBS college football. They are a member of the Big 12 Conference. The team plays its home games at Floyd Casey Stadium in Waco, Texas.-History:...
|}
Future non-conference games
2012
- September 1, 2012 WyomingWyoming Cowboys footballThe Wyoming Cowboys are a college football team that represents the University of Wyoming. They compete in the Mountain West Conference of the Football Bowl Subdivision of NCAA Division I. The team has won 15 conference titles...
(MWC) - September 8, 2012 New Mexico (MWC)
- September 15, 2012 at Ole MissOle Miss Rebels footballThe football history of the University of Mississippi , includes the formation of the first football team in the state and is 26th on the list of college football's all-time winning programs...
(SECSoutheastern ConferenceThe Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
)
2013
- August 31, 2013 NMSUNew Mexico State Aggies footballThe New Mexico State Aggies football team represents New Mexico State University in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football competition as a member of the Western Athletic Conference ....
(WACWestern Athletic ConferenceThe Western Athletic Conference is an American collegiate athletic conference, which was formed on July 27, 1962, making it the sixth oldest of the 11 college athletic conferences currently participating in the NCAA's Division I FBS...
) - September 7, 2013 at BYU (Ind)
- September 14, 2013 Ole MissOle Miss Rebels footballThe football history of the University of Mississippi , includes the formation of the first football team in the state and is 26th on the list of college football's all-time winning programs...
(SECSoutheastern ConferenceThe Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
)
2014
- August 30, 2014 UNTNorth Texas Mean Green footballThe North Texas Mean Green football team represents the University of North Texas in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I-FBS college football and competes as a member of the Sun Belt Conference. The Mean Green have attained several conference championships, including four...
(Sun BeltSun BeltThe Sun Belt or Spanish Belt is a region of the United States generally considered to stretch across the South and Southwest . Another rough boundary of the region is the area south of the 36th parallel, north latitude. It is the largest region which the U.S government does not recognize officially...
) - September 6, 2014 BYU (Ind)
- September 13, 2014 vs UCLAUCLA Bruins FootballThe UCLA Bruins football program represents the University of California, Los Angeles in college football as members of the Pacific-12 Conference at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The Bruins have enjoyed several periods of success in their history, having been ranked in the top ten of the AP Poll...
(Pac-10) at Cowboys Stadium
2015
- September 5, 2015 at Notre DameNotre Dame Fighting Irish footballNotre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an...
(Ind) - September 12, 2011 RiceRice Owls footballThe Rice Owls football team represents Rice University in NCAA Division I college football. The Owls have competed in Conference USA's Western Division since 2005. Rice Stadium, built in 1950, hosts the Owls' home football games.-Venue:...
(C-USAConference USAConference USA, officially abbreviated C-USA, is a college athletic conference whose member institutions are located within the Southern United States. The conference participates in the NCAA's Division I in all sports...
) - September 19, 2015 CaliforniaCalifornia Golden Bears footballThe California Golden Bears football team is the college football team of the University of California. The team plays its home games at California Memorial Stadium, however the team played at San Francisco's AT&T Park in 2011 while Memorial Stadium was being renovated, the team will return to...
(Pac-10)
2016
- September 3, 2016 Notre DameNotre Dame Fighting Irish footballNotre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an...
(Ind) - September 10, 2016 UTEPUTEP Miners footballThe UTEP Miners football program is a college football team that represents the University of Texas at El Paso . With a history dating back to 1914, UTEP currently competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of Conference USA . UTEP currently plays their home games at the Sun Bowl...
(CUSAConference USAConference USA, officially abbreviated C-USA, is a college athletic conference whose member institutions are located within the Southern United States. The conference participates in the NCAA's Division I in all sports...
) - September 17, 2016 at CaliforniaCalifornia Golden Bears footballThe California Golden Bears football team is the college football team of the University of California. The team plays its home games at California Memorial Stadium, however the team played at San Francisco's AT&T Park in 2011 while Memorial Stadium was being renovated, the team will return to...
(Pac-10)
2017
- September 2, 2017 MarylandMaryland Terrapins footballThe Maryland Terrapins football team represents the University of Maryland in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision competition. The Terrapins compete within the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
(ACCAtlantic Coast ConferenceThe Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
) - September 9, 2017 UCF (C-USA)
- September 16, 2017 at USC (Pac-10)
2018
- September 1, 2018 vs MarylandMaryland Terrapins footballThe Maryland Terrapins football team represents the University of Maryland in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision competition. The Terrapins compete within the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
(ACCAtlantic Coast ConferenceThe Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
) at FedEx Field - September 15, 2018 USC (Pac-10)
2019
- August 31, 2019 Notre DameNotre Dame Fighting Irish footballNotre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an...
(Ind)
2020
- September 12, 2020 at Notre DameNotre Dame Fighting Irish footballNotre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an...
(Ind)
2021
- September 11, 2021 at ArkansasArkansas Razorbacks footballThe Arkansas Razorbacks football program is a college football team that represents the University of Arkansas. The team is a member of the Southeastern Conference's Western Division, which is in Division I's Football Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
(SECSoutheastern ConferenceThe Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
)
Current coaching staff
{| class="wikitable"|- "
! Name !! Title !! Position Coach
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Mack Brown
Mack Brown
William Mack Brown is head coach of The University of Texas at Austin Longhorn football team.Prior to his head coach position at Texas, Brown was head coach at Appalachian State, Tulane, and North Carolina. Brown is credited with revitalizing the Texas and North Carolina football programs...
|| Head Coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
||| n/a
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Bryan Harsin
Bryan Harsin
Bryan Harsin is an American football coach and former player in the United States. He is currently the co-offensive coordinator at University of Texas at Austin. On January 7, 2011, Texas head football coach, Mack Brown, announced that the primary play caller and other co-offensive coordinator...
|| Co-Offensive Coordinator
Offensive coordinator
An offensive coordinator is a member of the coaching staff of a gridiron football team who is in charge of the offense. Generally, along with his defensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
||| Quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
s
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Major Applewhite
Major Applewhite
Major Lee Applewhite is the Co-Offensive Coordinator and Running Backs Coach for the University of Texas. Prior to Texas, Applewhite served as offensive coordinator at Rice University under Todd Graham in 2006, and at the University of Alabama under Nick Saban in 2007...
|| Co-Offensive Coordinator
Offensive coordinator
An offensive coordinator is a member of the coaching staff of a gridiron football team who is in charge of the offense. Generally, along with his defensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
||| Running Back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
s
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Manny Diaz || Defensive Coordinator
Defensive coordinator
A defensive coordinator typically refers to a coach on a gridiron football team who is in charge of the defense. Generally, along with his offensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
||| Linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
s
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Duane Akina
Duane Akina
Duane Akina is the assistant head coach and defensive backs coach for the Texas Longhorns football team.In 28 years of coaching football, Akina has coached three Thorpe Award winners in Darryll Lewis , Michael Huff , and Aaron Ross , as well as five finalists for the award, among them Chris...
|| Assistant Head Coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
|||Defensive Back
Defensive back
In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
s
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Bruce Chambers
Bruce Chambers
Bruce Chambers is an American football coach. He currently serves as an assistant to Mack Brown at the University of Texas at Austin. Priorly he served as coach at David W. Carter High School in Dallas, Texas....
|| Co-Recruiting Coordinator ||| Tight End
Tight end
The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
s
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Darrell Wyatt || Co-Recruiting Coordinator ||| Wide Receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
s
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Oscar Giles || Assistant Coach ||| Defensive End
Defensive end
Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
s
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Bo Davis || Assistant Coach ||| Defensive Tackles
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Stacy Searels || Assistant Coach ||| Offensive Line
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Bennie Wylie || Strength
Strength training
Strength training is the use of resistance to muscular contraction to build the strength, anaerobic endurance, and size of skeletal muscles. There are many different methods of strength training, the most common being the use of gravity or elastic/hydraulic forces to oppose muscle contraction...
and Conditioning
Physical exercise
Physical exercise is any bodily activity that enhances or maintains physical fitness and overall health and wellness. It is performed for various reasons including strengthening muscles and the cardiovascular system, honing athletic skills, weight loss or maintenance, as well as for the purpose of...
||| Football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
Operations
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Jeff "Mad Dog" Madden || Assistant AD
Athletic director
An athletic director is an administrator at many American colleges and universities, as well as in larger high schools and middle schools, who oversees the work of coaches and related staff involved in intercollegiate or interscholastic athletic programs...
||| Head of S&
Strength training
Strength training is the use of resistance to muscular contraction to build the strength, anaerobic endurance, and size of skeletal muscles. There are many different methods of strength training, the most common being the use of gravity or elastic/hydraulic forces to oppose muscle contraction...
C
Physical exercise
Physical exercise is any bodily activity that enhances or maintains physical fitness and overall health and wellness. It is performed for various reasons including strengthening muscles and the cardiovascular system, honing athletic skills, weight loss or maintenance, as well as for the purpose of...
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Arthur Johnson || Assistant AD
Athletic director
An athletic director is an administrator at many American colleges and universities, as well as in larger high schools and middle schools, who oversees the work of coaches and related staff involved in intercollegiate or interscholastic athletic programs...
||| Football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
Operations
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Marcus Tubbs
Marcus Tubbs
Marcus Dwayne Tubbs is an American football defensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks 23rd overall in the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas.-Early years:...
|| Special Assistant ||| Player
Player (game)
A player of a game is a participant therein. The term 'player' is used with this same meaning both in game theory and in ordinary recreational games....
Relations
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Ken Rucker || Director of HS Relation
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
||| Player
Player (game)
A player of a game is a participant therein. The term 'player' is used with this same meaning both in game theory and in ordinary recreational games....
Development
Professional development
Professional development refers to skills and knowledge attained for both personal development and career advancement. Professional development encompasses all types of facilitated learning opportunities, ranging from college degrees to formal coursework, conferences and informal learning...
|}
Head coaches
The team has had 28 head coaches since it started playing organized football in 1893; however, they played without a head coach in their first season. Texas was an original member of the Southwest Conference, joining in 1915. The Longhorns became a charter member of the Big 12 in 1996 when the Southwest Conference disbanded. The Longhorns have played in 1,208 games during their 118 seasons. In those seasons, eight coaches have led Texas to postseason bowl games: Dana X. BibleDana X. Bible
Dana Xenophon Bible was an American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at Mississippi College , Louisiana State University , Texas A&M University , the University of Nebraska , and the University of Texas...
, Blair Cherry
Blair Cherry
-Baseball:Cherry also served as baseball coach from 1943 to 1945 during Bibb Falk's absence. His teams compiled a 30-23 overall record, but won 2 conference titles with a 22-4 conference record in 3 seasons .-Post-coaching life:...
, Ed Price, Darrell Royal
Darrell Royal
Darrell K Royal is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Mississippi State University , the University of Washington , and the University of Texas at Austin , compiling a career college football record of 184–60–5...
, Fred Akers
Fred Akers
-External links:*...
, David McWilliams, John Mackovic
John Mackovic
John Mackovic is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach of United States national American football team, which was formed to compete in the American Football World Cup...
, and Mack Brown
Mack Brown
William Mack Brown is head coach of The University of Texas at Austin Longhorn football team.Prior to his head coach position at Texas, Brown was head coach at Appalachian State, Tulane, and North Carolina. Brown is credited with revitalizing the Texas and North Carolina football programs...
. Ten coaches have won conference
Athletic conference
An athletic conference is a collection of sports teams, playing competitively against each other at the professional, collegiate, or high school level. In many cases conferences are subdivided into smaller and smaller divisions, with the best teams competing at successively higher levels...
championships with the Longhorns: Berry Whitaker
Berry Whitaker
Berry M. Whitaker was an American football coach. He also organized one of the nation's first university intramural programs at the University of Texas at Austin. He also served as the schools head football coach from 1920-22....
, Clyde Littlefield
Clyde Littlefield
Clyde Littlefield was the head track & field coach at The University of Texas from 1920 to 1961 as well as its football coach from 1927 to 1933. He became one of the greatest track coaches in NCAA history...
, Bible, Cherry, Price, Royal, Akers, McWilliams, Mackovic, and Brown. Royal and Brown have also won national championships
NCAA Division I FBS National Football Championship
A college football national championship in the highest level of collegiate play in the United States, currently the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , is a designation awarded annually by various third-party organizations to their selection of the best...
with Texas.
Royal is the all-time leader in games coached (219), years coached (20) and total wins (167). Frank Crawford
Frank Crawford
Frank Crawford was a college football player and coach, lawyer and law professor. He played college football at Yale University and served as the first head football coach at the University of Michigan in 1891...
has the highest winning percentage
Winning percentage
In sports, a winning percentage is the fraction of games or matches a team or individual has won. It is defined as wins divided by wins plus losses . Ties count as a ½ loss and a ½ win...
of any Longhorn coach after going 5–0 his only year. Of coaches who served more than one season, Whitaker leads with a .865 winning percentage. Jack Chevigny
Jack Chevigny
-External links:...
is, in terms of winning percentage, the worst coach the Longhorns have had (.483). Of the 28 Longhorns coaches, Bible and Royal have been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame
The College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and museum devoted to college football. Located in South Bend, Indiana, it is connected to a convention center and situated in the city's renovated downtown district, two miles south of the University of Notre Dame campus. It is slated to move...
. Royal and Brown have each received National Coach of the Year honors from at least one organization. The current coach is Mack Brown, who was hired in December 1997 and is under contract through the 2016 season.