The Southeastern Conference was quick to make a point of Lane Kiffin last week. It has been much quieter about Texas.
That contrast is hard to miss after the SEC came down hard on the LSU coach over a halftime remark during a player eligibility dispute that was later resolved. Kiffin, speaking to ESPN’s Holly Rowe during LSU’s 51-10 Week 1 win over Clemson, said, "Imagine if we had pro players," after the conference ruled two players, Dae'Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris, ineligible following earlier professional contracts.
The complaint against Kiffin said, "Coach Kiffin's statements...confirm the lack of institutional control over the athletics program at LSU that is required by Article 6 of the SEC Constitution," and the league clearly had no problem making its displeasure known.
Texas, though, has been treated differently.
After the Longhorns beat then-Associated Press No. 1 Ohio State, 24-23, head coach Steve Sarkisian drew attention for a sideline exchange with Rowe.
As ESPN went to Rowe and Sarkisian on the field, the Texas coach never took a question and instead interrupted her with "Texas fight. Hook' em" before walking off.
That moment alone was awkward enough. Monday’s scene in Austin made it look much worse.
During a news conference, Arch Manning was seen laughing with reporters while talking about an AI-altered version of the Sarkisian-Rowe moment that showed Sarkisian slapping Rowe and then cartoonishly running away. Manning said, "I've seen a few AI edits," and then added, "Have y'all seen that one...
That's a good one... Of him slapping Holly Rowe.
That's hilarious."
NBC Sports’ Nicole Auerbach responded on social media, "The laughter from all the men in the room...so, so gross," and the reaction only sharpened the question around the SEC’s silence.
If the league was ready to take Kiffin to task over a joke, what does it say about Texas that this has gone unanswered? The issue here is bigger than a bad look or an uncomfortable media moment. Rowe is one of ESPN’s leading college football reporters, and the conduct around her has not reflected respect.
The SEC’s own rules say, "All individuals shall make every attempt to promote the Conference and its members in a positive manner."
And the conference constitution goes further, saying in Article 10.5.1 that coaches, student-athletes and others connected to SEC programs should adhere to "honor, respect, fairness, civility, honesty and responsibility."
By that standard, Texas has already handed the SEC plenty to address.
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