Steve Sarkisian: Hollie Rowe Interview, Age, Postgame Moment and Alcohol History

Steve Sarkisian is back in the spotlight after a dramatic night for the Texas Longhorns. On September 12, 2026, No. 4 Texas produced a stunning 24-23 comeback against No. 1 Ohio State after trailing 23-3 entering the fourth quarter. However, Sarkisian’s brief postgame exchange with ESPN reporter Hollie Rowe quickly became one of the biggest talking points from the game.

The moment was particularly notable because it came after an earlier interview issue involving ESPN’s Laura Rutledge. It also brought renewed attention to Sarkisian’s long coaching career, his age and his well-documented history with alcohol earlier in his career.

Steve Sarkisian and Hollie Rowe Postgame Interview

The Steve Sarkisian Hollie Rowe interview happened immediately after Texas completed its remarkable comeback against Ohio State.

Rowe attempted to begin the postgame interview with the Texas head coach. Instead of staying for the usual question-and-answer exchange, Sarkisian quickly shouted a celebration for Texas and walked away toward his team.

The moment was widely shared on social media, with many viewers debating whether Sarkisian intentionally avoided the interview or was simply caught up in the emotion of the victory. Reports described Rowe as appearing unhappy with the abrupt ending.

Sarkisian’s reaction made more sense in the context of the game. Texas had been dominated for most of the evening and was trailing 23-3 before producing one of the most dramatic comebacks in the program’s recent history.

The Longhorns scored three fourth-quarter touchdowns and completed the comeback with a late Hollywood Smothers touchdown. Texas won 24-23, handing Ohio State its first loss of the season.

What Happened With Steve Sarkisian’s Interview?

The postgame incident was not the only interview involving Sarkisian that attracted attention.

Earlier in the game, ESPN attempted to conduct a halftime interview with Sarkisian. Technical problems delayed the interview, and the Texas coach eventually left to address his team.

Laura Rutledge later explained that Sarkisian had been patient while ESPN dealt with the technical problems. She said that Sarkisian had waited for some time and apologized to the network before leaving.

That context is important because the postgame exchange with Hollie Rowe happened after a highly emotional comeback.

Rather than treating the two incidents as completely separate, some reports connected them because both occurred during the same broadcast. Social media discussion subsequently focused heavily on Sarkisian’s interaction with ESPN’s sideline reporters.

Steve Sarkisian Postgame Reaction

Despite the awkward interview moment, Sarkisian was understandably emotional about the victory.

Texas had entered the fourth quarter facing a 20-point deficit. The Longhorns then completely changed the game, scoring three touchdowns and holding Ohio State without a second-half touchdown.

After the game, Sarkisian praised his players for their resilience and said he was proud of the way they responded to adversity. The victory represented one of the biggest regular-season wins of his Texas tenure.

His coaching decisions also played a major role.

Sarkisian continued to trust his offense on critical fourth downs, including a fourth-and-6 conversion that helped Texas maintain its comeback. His aggressive approach ultimately paid off as the Longhorns completed the comeback.

The win was especially significant because Ohio State had defeated Texas in each of the previous two seasons, including in the College Football Playoff.

How Old Is Steve Sarkisian?

Steve Sarkisian is 52 years old.

He was born on March 8, 1974, in Torrance, California. Sarkisian first became known as a college quarterback before building a long career as a coach.

His playing career included time at El Camino College and BYU. He later played professionally for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the Canadian Football League.

Sarkisian eventually moved into coaching, working his way through assistant positions before becoming a head coach.

He has coached at several major programs, including Washington, USC, Alabama and Texas. He also spent time as an offensive coordinator in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons.

Steve Sarkisian Coaching Career

Sarkisian’s coaching career has included some of the biggest programs in college football.

He began his coaching career at El Camino before joining USC as a quarterbacks coach. He later became offensive coordinator and assistant head coach at USC.

In 2009, Sarkisian became the head coach at Washington. He remained there through the 2013 season before returning to USC as head coach.

His USC tenure ended during the 2015 season following personal and alcohol-related issues that eventually led to his departure.

Sarkisian later rebuilt his career at Alabama under Nick Saban. As Alabama’s offensive coordinator, he became one of the most respected offensive minds in college football and won the Broyles Award in 2020.

Texas hired Sarkisian as head coach in January 2021. The Longhorns officially describe him as being in his 25th year of coaching and his sixth season as Texas’ head coach in 2026.

Steve Sarkisian and Alcohol

The Steve Sarkisian alcohol story is connected primarily to events that occurred during his time at USC in 2015.

Sarkisian had a highly publicized struggle with alcohol during that period. USC placed him on leave in October 2015 before ultimately firing him.

Reports at the time said USC officials had concerns about his behavior and alcohol use. ESPN reported that Sarkisian subsequently entered a rehabilitation facility.

The episode became a major turning point in his career.

However, it is important to distinguish Sarkisian’s historical alcohol problems from speculation about his current condition. There is no basis for claiming that his 2026 postgame behavior was caused by alcohol simply because he has a history involving alcohol.

The viral interview occurred immediately after an emotionally charged football game. Contemporary reports about the September 2026 incident focused on his interactions with ESPN, the technical issues surrounding the halftime interview and his decision to quickly return to his team.

Did Alcohol Cause the Hollie Rowe Interview Incident?

There is no credible evidence that alcohol caused Sarkisian’s interaction with Hollie Rowe after the Ohio State game.

The incident happened after Texas completed a historic comeback. Sarkisian was celebrating with his players and shouted a Texas rallying cry before walking away.

Because Sarkisian has a well-known history involving alcohol, some social-media users may speculate about his behavior. However, speculation should not be presented as fact.

The available reporting instead connects the awkward exchange to the circumstances of the broadcast and Sarkisian’s desire to celebrate with his team following an extraordinary victory.

Steve Sarkisian’s Texas Record

Sarkisian has transformed Texas into a major national contender since taking over in 2021.

Through his first five seasons, he guided Texas to a Big 12 championship and multiple College Football Playoff appearances. Texas’ official profile describes his tenure as part of the program’s return to national prominence.

His Texas record through the 2025 season was 48-20, according to a season-by-season coaching record published by Saturday Down South.

The 2026 season carries particularly high expectations.

Texas entered its Ohio State matchup ranked No. 4 nationally, while Ohio State was ranked No. 1. The Longhorns’ eventual comeback victory therefore became an important statement for Sarkisian and his program.

Why the Ohio State Win Was So Important

The 24-23 victory was more than another regular-season win.

Texas had lost to Ohio State in the previous two seasons, including a College Football Playoff matchup. The Longhorns therefore entered the game with plenty to prove.

The first three quarters appeared to produce another frustrating result. Ohio State built a 20-point lead and controlled the game.

Then everything changed.

Arch Manning led the Texas offense during the comeback, while the Longhorn defense shut down the Buckeyes after halftime. The Longhorns eventually took the lead with a late touchdown and extra point.

The comeback was particularly impressive because Texas had struggled offensively for much of the game.

Sarkisian’s aggressive fourth-down decisions also helped keep the comeback alive. His willingness to take risks reflected the confidence he had in his players and offensive system.

Hollie Rowe and ESPN

Hollie Rowe is a veteran ESPN reporter who has covered college sports for many years.

Her interaction with Sarkisian became a major talking point because postgame interviews normally provide coaches with an opportunity to discuss their team’s performance immediately after a game.

Instead, Sarkisian delivered a very short response and returned to his players.

The unusual moment became even more prominent because ESPN had already experienced a difficult interaction with Sarkisian earlier in the broadcast.

As a result, the interview became part of the wider conversation surrounding one of the most dramatic games of the 2026 college football season.

Steve Sarkisian: Career Turning Point

One of the most interesting aspects of Sarkisian’s career is his comeback after the difficulties he experienced at USC.

His 2015 departure could have ended his career at the highest level of college football.

Instead, Sarkisian rebuilt his reputation at Alabama.

Working under Nick Saban gave him an opportunity to return to elite-level football and demonstrate his offensive ability. Alabama’s success helped Sarkisian earn another head-coaching opportunity with Texas.

That second chance ultimately led him to Austin, where he has established himself as one of the most prominent coaches in the sport.

His career therefore includes both significant setbacks and major professional achievements.

Final Thoughts

The Steve Sarkisian Hollie Rowe interview became viral after Texas defeated Ohio State 24-23 in an extraordinary comeback.

Sarkisian did not provide the normal postgame interview. Instead, he celebrated with his team and shouted a Texas rallying cry before walking away. The moment followed an earlier ESPN interview problem involving Laura Rutledge.

Sarkisian is 52 years old and is in his sixth season as Texas’ head coach in 2026. His career has included Washington, USC, Alabama, the Atlanta Falcons and Texas.

His history with alcohol is also well documented, particularly the events surrounding his departure from USC in 2015. However, there is no reliable evidence that alcohol played a role in the 2026 postgame interview incident.

Ultimately, the biggest story was Texas’ remarkable comeback. Sarkisian’s team erased a 23-3 deficit and defeated the No. 1 team in the country, giving the Longhorns one of the most memorable victories of his Texas tenure.

FAQs

How old is Steve Sarkisian?

Steve Sarkisian is 52 years old. He was born March 8, 1974.

What happened between Steve Sarkisian and Hollie Rowe?

After Texas defeated Ohio State, Hollie Rowe attempted to interview Sarkisian. He quickly celebrated with a Texas rallying cry and walked away instead of continuing the interview.

Did Steve Sarkisian refuse a postgame interview?

He effectively ended the postgame exchange with Hollie Rowe almost immediately and returned to celebrate with his team.

Does Steve Sarkisian have an alcohol history?

Yes. Sarkisian had highly publicized alcohol-related issues while he was USC’s head coach in 2015. He subsequently entered treatment.

Did alcohol cause Sarkisian’s 2026 interview incident?

There is no credible evidence that alcohol caused the incident. Reports focused on the emotional postgame setting and earlier ESPN technical issues.

Who is Steve Sarkisian’s current team?

Steve Sarkisian is the head football coach of the Texas Longhorns.

What was Texas’ score against Ohio State?

Texas defeated Ohio State 24-23 after trailing 23-3 entering the fourth quarter.