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When Texas joined the Southeastern Conference, not everyone rolled out the welcome mat. Though the SEC unanimously voted to bring Texas and Oklahoma aboard, making it a 16-team powerhouse, the tone was clear — as Nick Saban famously said: "They're not gonna run the SEC."
But Texas didn’t just show up — they’ve dominated. As SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said on how Texas and Oklahoma will fit in: “I think it’s a match. Today’s turnout (Texas SEC Celebration) is a great indication of that.”
From DKR to the tennis courts, the Longhorns have taken the SEC by storm, knocking down one conference opponent after another. Alabama is still finding its footing under new head coach Kalen DeBoer, and Georgia hasn’t made it past the College Football Playoff semifinals in two years — with head coach Kirby Smart’s sideline antics becoming a growing topic of conversation.
Meanwhile, Texas is making noise — and history — across the board. As of the 2024–25 athletic season, the Longhorns have earned a No. 1 national ranking in nine different sports:
The message is clear: Texas isn’t just here — they’re running the show. In a conference long considered the gold standard of college athletics, the Longhorns have planted their flag and redefined what it means to be an everything school.
A portion of the success can be credited to athletics director Chris Del Conte's vision, as well as the vision of University of Texas Board of Regent Chair Kevin Eltife. “We believe the SEC is where we belong. We respect the schools in the SEC, and we’re excited to compete against them.” Eltife remarked back at the Texas SEC Celebration.
Credit must also be given where credit is due, former Texas President, now incoming SMU President, Jay Hartzell, greatly contributed to the Longhorns success in moving to the SEC. Hartzell, a Longhorn alumni himself, worked closely with Greg Sankey and Joe Harroz at the University of Oklahoma to spearhead the move from the Big 12 to the SEC.
There is no indication that any of the success the Longhorns have is going to stop anytime soon. Reflecting on quotes from the past year, it's evident the Longhorn nation understands that Texas just means more. Texas AD Chris Del Conte: "Whoever we play, it's their Super Bowl." "It's the power of the Texas brand. That won't change in the SEC." Outgoing QB1 Quinn Ewers even knew that "We're going to be everybody's biggest game, for sure."
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Texas Longhorns could end up No. 1 athletic powerhouse in SEC
Continue reading...
But Texas didn’t just show up — they’ve dominated. As SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said on how Texas and Oklahoma will fit in: “I think it’s a match. Today’s turnout (Texas SEC Celebration) is a great indication of that.”
From DKR to the tennis courts, the Longhorns have taken the SEC by storm, knocking down one conference opponent after another. Alabama is still finding its footing under new head coach Kalen DeBoer, and Georgia hasn’t made it past the College Football Playoff semifinals in two years — with head coach Kirby Smart’s sideline antics becoming a growing topic of conversation.
Meanwhile, Texas is making noise — and history — across the board. As of the 2024–25 athletic season, the Longhorns have earned a No. 1 national ranking in nine different sports:
- Football
- Volleyball
- Softball
- Men’s Tennis
- Women’s Basketball
- Men’s Swimming & Diving
- Rowing
- Men’s Golf
- Baseball
The message is clear: Texas isn’t just here — they’re running the show. In a conference long considered the gold standard of college athletics, the Longhorns have planted their flag and redefined what it means to be an everything school.
A portion of the success can be credited to athletics director Chris Del Conte's vision, as well as the vision of University of Texas Board of Regent Chair Kevin Eltife. “We believe the SEC is where we belong. We respect the schools in the SEC, and we’re excited to compete against them.” Eltife remarked back at the Texas SEC Celebration.
Credit must also be given where credit is due, former Texas President, now incoming SMU President, Jay Hartzell, greatly contributed to the Longhorns success in moving to the SEC. Hartzell, a Longhorn alumni himself, worked closely with Greg Sankey and Joe Harroz at the University of Oklahoma to spearhead the move from the Big 12 to the SEC.
There is no indication that any of the success the Longhorns have is going to stop anytime soon. Reflecting on quotes from the past year, it's evident the Longhorn nation understands that Texas just means more. Texas AD Chris Del Conte: "Whoever we play, it's their Super Bowl." "It's the power of the Texas brand. That won't change in the SEC." Outgoing QB1 Quinn Ewers even knew that "We're going to be everybody's biggest game, for sure."
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Texas Longhorns could end up No. 1 athletic powerhouse in SEC
Continue reading...
