Texas' Steve Sarkisian takes shot at Ole Miss over academic standards for transfers
Texas football coach Steve Sarkisian was critical of Ole Miss' academics in a recent interview with USA TODAY.
Ole Miss football has drawn criticism from Steve Sarkisian due to its academic requirements for transfers. The Texas football coach shared his thoughts on the Rebels' "inequitable" standards with USA TODAY . “At Texas, we will only take 50% of a player’s academic credit hours,” Sarkisian said.
“You may be a semester from graduating, but you’re going all the way back to 50% if you play here and want a degree. But at Ole Miss , they can take you. All you have to do is take basket weaving, and you can get an Ole Miss degree.
” The comments were part of Sarkisian's larger critique of the unruly nature of college football recruiting, especially in regards to the transfer portal. One of his primary concerns was the lack of focus on academics and programs making sure athletes are set up to succeed. He mentioned Ole Miss due to accusations of tampering involving linebacker Luke Ferrelli after he already transferred to Clemson.
"It’s like we’ve forgotten about academics, yet less than 5% of these guys will play in the NFL,” Sarkisian said. Ole Miss AD Keith Carter responds to Steve Sarkisian comments Following the release of Sarkisian's comments, Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter took to social media . "Kind of amazing how uncomfortable our success is making some people.