As each offseason draws to a close, expectations accompany every college football program in the country — some higher than others. They’re generally quite high in Austin, Texas. High enough, at least, that four straight bowl-winning seasons and three ranked finishes, including No. 9 in 2018, wasn’t enough to earn Tom Herman a fifth year on the Forty Acres.
Thus, a new coach, new expectations. Rinse and repeat.
Steve Sarkisian’s situation entering his debut season, however, is a bit unique, as should be the expectations.
Charlie Strong bore the burden of being Mack Brown’s successor, which, of course, ended remarkably poorly in the record book.