Texas’ Steve Sarkisian Reveals What He Told Lane Kiffin After Dramatic LSU Win

Austin, Texas - On September 19, 2026, Texas Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian arrived at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium ahead of their game against the UTSA Roadrunners. (Photo: Tim Warner/Getty Images) Meanwhile, Lane Kiffin, head coach of the USC Trojans, was seen speaking with his team during the first half of their match against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium on November 19, 2011, in Eugene, Oregon.

(Photo: Steve Dykes/Getty Images) Following Texas' 22-21 victory over LSU on Saturday night, Sarkisian commended Lane Kiffin and the program he is building. Despite a close game, the Longhorns managed to secure a win thanks to Arch Manning's performance. Kiffin faced a tough ending in front of a hostile LSU crowd that expected a different result.

The friendship between Sarkisian and Kiffin dates back to their time together at USC under Pete Carroll and later at Alabama under Nick Saban. The significance of this particular game was heightened by their personal history. While both coaches needed the win, they focused on the competition rather than their personal feelings. Sarkisian acknowledged Kiffin's coaching abilities and expressed confidence in the direction of LSU's program.

The praise went beyond simply calling Kiffin a good coach; it also conveyed Sarkisian's belief in LSU's future success. Texas' victory in Baton Rouge required more than just an impressive offensive display. In the fourth quarter, Sarkisian implemented a creative fourth-down call, utilizing Arch Manning as a decoy while Raleek Brown took a direct snap.

This resulted in a six-yard gain, keeping the possession alive. This strategic move eventually led to a field goal, narrowing LSU's first-half lead to 14-10. The comeback ultimately secured Texas' road victory, providing the team with a satisfying conclusion. Despite the praise for Kiffin, Sarkisian did not dismiss LSU's impact on the game.

His comments reflected respect for the opponent that had challenged his team throughout the match. While LSU fans would likely expect victory celebrations, Texas managed to leave the stadium with a win and a reminder that fierce competition doesn't necessitate personal animosity.