Texas coach Steve Sarkisian addressed his viral postgame reaction with ESPN reporter Holly Rowe, saying he "could have definitely handled that situation better" as it eventually led to backlash with quarterback Arch Manning over an AI video of it.
Sarkisian gave his side of the story on Thursday, Sept. 17, as after Texas pulled off a 20-point comeback to beat No. 1 Ohio State 24-23 on Saturday, Sept. 12, Rowe was asking him a question in the postgame interview when he seemingly avoided it, cutting her off before she was done speaking and walked away. It also happened following another non-interview at halftime with ESPN reporter Laura Rutledge, which she acknowledged on the broadcast he eventually after waiting for multiple moments.
The Texas
coach said ESPN had technical difficulties at halftime, so he let Rutledge know he was going to go to the locker room with his team, and he had the chance to speak with her coming out of the locker room. As for postgame, Sarkisian said there was a delay and he "wanted to go celebrate with our team."
"If hindsight's 20/20, if I could do it all over again, I would have exuded more patience in that moment and sat through and waited for the interview with Holly. Obviously, we have a ton of respect for ESPN and Holly. Holly and I go way back to even to my days of playing at BYU, and we've got a great relationship. ESPN is a great partner of ours.
"We know we're going to have more opportunities with that crew covering us, and we're looking forward to those opportunities. So, could have definitely handled that situation better with a little bit more patience in the moment," he said.
Steve Sarkisian on Arch Manning situation: 'It's an unfortunate one'
Sarkisian also spoke on Manning's comments on Monday, Sept. 14. When asked if he's seen any videos from the game, the quarterback mentioned he saw an AI video of Sarkisian slapping Rowe. He and members of the media laughed about it as Manning said "that's hilarious."
Manning was critcized as the video clip went viral
"Obviously Arch recognizes he made a mistake, and it's an unfortunate one," Sarkisian said. "Nowhere do we condone domestic violence or violence against women. Nothing in our program says that nor Arch individually."
The day after, Manning issued a public apology to Rowe and stated "there is nothing funny about it." Rowe responded by accepting Manning's apology, admitting the two were able to have a private conversation about it.
"I think if he could take it back, he would," Sarkisian said. "But he has since apologized to Holly. He's made a public apology, and you know our goal is that we can move forward and him be the guy that that we all know that he is and what he represents."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Steve Sarkisian addresses Holly Rowe, Arch Manning after Texas' tumultuous week
