Texas' Steve Sarkisian says Trump visit will alter coaches communications

1 month ago 16

Donald Trump is expected to attend the SEC Game of the Week between No. 1 Texas Longhorn and No. 14 Tennessee Volunteers in Knoxville on Saturday. While regularly attending sporting events has become part of his second term in office, there is all the behind-the-scenes adjustment nobody talks about.

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian was asked during Thursday's teleconference about Trump's presence at the game and what it meant for college football. He dropped in a different perspective. Sarkisian explained why in-game communications will be much different on Saturday and how the Longhorns are making adjustments. Neyland Stadium will be under the command of secret service and they communicate during the game.

"The one thing you have to be aware of when the president goes to any game is that any time he enters the stadium or leaves the stadium or changes locations within the stadium, they cut all communications," Sarkisian said.

"Anytime he enters the stadium or leaves the stadium or changes locations within the stadium, they cut all communication..."

A really interesting note from Steve Sarkisian on President Trump attending the Tennessee-Texas game on Saturday. #HookEm pic.twitter.com/axs5zXODxi

— Bob Ballou (@BobBallouSports) September 24, 2026

This isn't the first time Sarkisian had an interruption in the midst of a game because of Trump. In 2019, he was Alabama's offensive coordinator when Trump watched the Tide play LSU.

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"So they cut your headsets," Sarkisian added. "They cut headsets for coaches. They cut headsets to coach-to-player communications. So you have to plan for that if, and/or when, and you get no warning. So that just gets cut out. So you have to have a plan for that."

Trump's scheduled visit to the University of Tennessee comes as lawmakers in the US Senate are set to cast a final vote Monday on the Protect College Sports Act bill. The legislation would then move on to the House of Representatives, which is out-of-session until after the November mid-term elections.

No. 1 Texas (3-0) heads to Knoxville to face No. 14 Tennessee (3-0) on Saturday (Noon ET, ABC).