The Texas Longhorns have one of the most traditional football uniforms in college football. Relatively unchanged for decades, there have been suggestions that UT should add a third jersey or make a change altogether. But UT athletic director Chris Del Conte wants to part of a jersey change.
Texas has had the same basic uniforms since the 1950s. The biggest alteration was the addition of the word "Texas" above the numbers on the front of the jersey in 1980. UT wears burnt orange jerseys with white pants at home and all white on the road.
Several years ago, Longhorns apparel partner Nike was having success with a black "third jersey" with some of their partner programs. There were reportedly suggestions Texas adopt this as a third option for a special
occasion. But then-athletic director DeLoss Dodds came up with a compromise. Texas would wear black jerseys for practice.
Primarily used by the quarterbacks, the Longhorns still wear black jerseys on the practice field. But a viral social media post suggesting an all-black game day look caught the eye of several Texas fans, including Del Conte.
The new uniform suggestion puts the Horns completely in black, from the helmet to the jersey to the pants.
I mean…..I’m just sayin, @_delconte ….one night game a year…. pic.twitter.com/ivC87DnpBG
— James (@JSP81483) September 1, 2026
Honestly, they don't look bad. But UT is a traditional blue-blood programs and Del Conte is a traditionalist. He responded to the new uniform post by saying, "No sir… Embrace the tradition that is Texas!" He posted his reply with a video of game day images of the Longhorns in burnt orange.
No sir… Embrace the tradition that is Texas! https://t.co/GgmsAWAKKf pic.twitter.com/CuJMd6tHzP
— Chris Del Conte (@_delconte) September 1, 2026
Anything more than a tweak to the current uniform is unlikely as long as Del Conte is running the athletic department. It is also a good bet that his successor, whoever and whenever that might be, will have the same stance.
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This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Texas athletic director rejects Longhorns redesigned uniform proposal
