Texas Assistant Coach Arrested for DWI Days After Arch Manning AI Controversy

Texas Longhorns assistant coach Johnny Nansen has been arrested on a misdemeanor charge of drinking and driving. The incident occurred Wednesday evening in Austin when Nansen was involved in a three-car collision.

Police officers responding to the scene stated Nansen appeared intoxicated and subsequently failed field sobriety tests. He was arrested for DWI, a Class B misdemeanor. Nansen, 52, spent Wednesday night in jail and was released on Thursday.

Head coach Steve Sarkisian addressed the arrest, stating, "We obviously are aware of the situation. I'm still gathering facts. I'm still monitoring the situation. We're obviously disappointed, but that's all I really have on that at this time." The Longhorns have not yet announced Nansen's status for the upcoming game.

This development follows a recent controversy involving quarterback Arch Manning, who issued an apology to ESPN reporter Holly Rowe. Manning had laughed at an AI-generated video that depicted Sarkisian physically assaulting Rowe. Rowe, who recently lost her mother, accepted Manning's apology and stated they would "move forward with respect and kindness for one another."

Nansen, a former Washington State linebacker, joined the Texas staff in 2024. He has served as co-defensive coordinator under Sarkisian, previously working with him at Washington and USC. The Longhorns' defense ranked third nationally in 2024 but fell to 52nd last season. Nansen also has coaching experience at Idaho State, Idaho, and Arizona.

The arrest comes shortly after the No. 1 ranked Longhorns secured a significant comeback victory over top-ranked Ohio State. Quarterback Manning led a 20-point fourth-quarter surge in that game. The team is now preparing to face the University of Texas at San Antonio.