Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian has noted a recurring issue with communication headsets during college football games when President Donald Trump is in attendance. Sarkisian stated Thursday that coaches can lose headset communication when Trump enters, leaves, or moves within a stadium.
This potential disruption means that Texas will need a plan when facing Tennessee at Neyland Stadium, as the team cannot anticipate when these communication blackouts will occur. The issue affects both offensive and defensive coaching staffs. Defensive coordinator Will Muschamp calls plays from the sideline, while Sarkisian communicates offensive plays directly to the quarterback.
Sarkisian sought advice from Miami head coach Mario Cristobal, who experienced similar issues during the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Cristobal recounted that Miami lost communication for a brief period as Trump was leaving the game early, which occurred during a critical drive. However, Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti, whose team played Miami in that championship, pushed back against claims that the communication loss directly impacted the game's outcome. Cignetti confirmed that there were two to three plays in the fourth quarter where communication was lost but disputed its effect on the final score.
The White House Rapid Response account also disputed the assertion that Trump's departure caused headset issues for the team during the final offensive drive of the championship game.
Sarkisian emphasized the importance of being prepared for these "logistical challenges" and having contingency plans in place for brief periods of no communication, regardless of when or why Trump might enter or exit the stadium.