Viewers React to Texas Coach Blowing Off ESPN Interview After 5 Seconds
· Yahoo Sports
ESPN reporter Holly Rowe didn’t even finish asking her first post-game question for Steve Sarkisian on Saturday night before the University of Texas football head coach bailed on the interview.
Visit syntagm.co.za for more information.
“Coach, this one of the most–” Rowe began as she started to comment on the Longhorns’ 24–23 victory over No. 1 team Ohio State in Austin that night.
“Let’s go, Texas fight!” Sarkisian shouted. Let’s go, Texas fight! Hook ’em!”
And with that, Sarkisian strode off. And Rowe, visibly irritated, also walked off camera.
Honestly, this is just rude of Sark. Holly is a total pro with a job to do. https://t.co/ecvLaAHicj
— Madelyn Burke (@MadelynBurke) September 13, 2026
Sarkisian was also supposed to talk to ESPN’s Laura Rutledge at halftime but also bailed on that interview after technical issues arose, according to The Athletic. Rutledge said on air that the coach “had waited a long time [and] been very patient” during that delay.
A Texas spokesperson told The Athletic that technical difficulties came up once again postgame and contributed to Sarkisian’s behavior with Rowe.
On X, viewers reacted to the awkward exchange. “Honestly, this is just rude of Sark,” SportsCenter anchor Madelyn Burkesaid. “Holly is a total pro with a job to do.”
Emmanuel Acho, a former Texas player and NFL star and current Fox Sports analyst, also weighed in on X, sympathizing with both the coach and the reporter.
“As a Texas alum (who was a few feet away) [and] Holly Rowe fan, here are my thoughts: A: This was the biggest win of Sark’s [head coaching] career [and] most electric that stadium has ever been. He wanted to immediatelycelebrate with the players [and] coaches he made history with. He should be able to do that without being criticized. B: Holly wanted to do her job thoroughly [and] be a part of the moment. That’s a fair [and] human desire.”
Acho said both Sarkisian and Rowe were to blame for the awkwardness of the moment, suggesting Rowe would have done her job and elevated the moment if she had said, “Coach is fired up and wants to go celebrate! Fellas, back to you!’”
And Acho added, “Ultimately: Sark had a huge win. ESPN (thus Holly) had a huge win.”
Meanwhile, some users questioned why Rowe had to talk to Sarkisian anyway. “[Fifty] years watching football. My friends and I have never said, ‘Can’t wait for the sideline reporter interview,’” one X user wrote. “It’s inane and useless. Zero need for it.”
“Sark is trying to do his job, too!” another user said. “The interviews are useless!”
Read the latest entertainment news on TV Insider.