# Sarkisian's rushed exit had a reason

> Texas beat the No. 1 team, then its coach blew off ESPN in seconds and the internet turned on him.
- Title: Sarkisian's rushed exit had a reason · Newsweek | Shortify
- Summary: Texas beat the No. 1 team, then its coach blew off ESPN in seconds and the internet turned on him. The clip everyone piled on was missing the context: ESPN's…
- Keywords: college football, texas longhorns, espn, media, steve sarkisian, Sarkisian's, rushed, exit, reason, Newsweek
- Source: Newsweek — https://newsweek.com/sports/ncaa/steve-sarkisian-under-fire-for-what-he-did-after-texas-win-over-ohio-state-12436344
- Author: Matthew Couden
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: college football, texas longhorns, espn, media, steve sarkisian
## A 21-point comeback
Texas erased a 21-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat No. 1 Ohio State 24-23. Players and coaches were still celebrating on the field when ESPN came looking for the winning coach.
## Four seconds with Holly Rowe
Sarkisian stood beside sideline reporter Holly Rowe, cut off her first question, and bolted.

> That's called Texas fight! That's called Texas fight! Hook 'em!
## ESPN pivoted to Arch Manning
The broadcast cut to Laura Rutledge and quarterback Arch Manning, who gave the long, reflective interview the network wanted from the coach.
## X did what X does
An On3 clip of the walk-off spread fast, and commenters read it as a millionaire coach disrespecting a woman doing her job.

> You'd think for 5 million a year you could act like a human being
## The part nobody saw
Rutledge later explained that ESPN had technical problems with the Sarkisian interview. He had waited a long time, the network apologized, and he had to go.
## Everyone lost the moment
A broken feed cost fans the postgame interview after one of the biggest wins of Sarkisian's tenure, and cost him a day of being called a jerk.
## Key takeaway

The clip everyone piled on was missing the context: ESPN's own gear had already burned Sarkisian's time.