Steve Sarkisian and Holly Rowe Conduct Smooth Interview Weeks After Viral Moment
The Texas head coach and ESPN reporter shared a calm pregame exchange, contrasting with their previous postgame encounter.
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian and ESPN reporter Holly Rowe conducted a seamless interview prior to the No. 1 Texas Longhorns' matchup against the No. 14 Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on Saturday. This exchange occurred weeks after a viral incident where Sarkisian, in a hurry after a previous game, ran away from Rowe as she attempted to interview him.
During Saturday's interview, Rowe referenced Arch Manning's family history at Neyland Stadium, noting his uncle Peyton Manning's past performances, and inquired how Sarkisian had encouraged Arch to make the game his own. Sarkisian responded by emphasizing the team's collective effort. "This is his moment. I want him to go out and have fun with his teammates, right? This team has been great all year. It’s going to continue to play great, but they need to play great together. It’s not about just Arch, it’s about the entire team," Sarkisian told ESPN.
The previous postgame interview, following Texas' 24-23 comeback victory, had become a viral moment. Manning was later asked about the circulation of videos, including an AI-generated clip depicting Sarkisian potentially slapping Rowe, which reportedly drew amusement. Manning has since apologized for his remarks.
Sarkisian had previously explained that at the time of the initial incident, ESPN was experiencing technical delays, and his priority was to celebrate with his team. He stated that he has a long-standing positive relationship with Rowe, dating back to his college playing days at BYU.
At the time of the report, Texas was leading Tennessee 7-3 in the first quarter. Sarkisian expressed hope for another on-field interview with Rowe following a potential Texas victory.