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Steve Sarkisian's Texas team overcame tremendous adversity in coming back from a 20-point deficit to defeat Ohio State 24-23 on Saturday evening. But on his easiest decision of the night, Sarkisian fumbled the ball.
As sideline reporter Holly Rowe approached Sarkisian for an on-field postgame interview, Sarkisian spoke over her question, shouting "Texas fight. Hook'em," before walking away.
Rowe's day would get worse on Monday. In comments to reporters, Arch Manning made light of an AI-generated clip that depicted Rowe being slapped by the coach.
"Have you all seen that one?" Arch asked a room of reporters. "That's a good one. Of him slapping Holly Rowe. It's hilarious."
MORE: Watch Steve Sarkisian snub ESPN's Holly Rowe
Arch Manning should have known better
Manning has come under fire for his response to the Rowe video. Some have excused his behavior by defending the clip's humor. Others have cited his 22-year-old age. Neither serve as a valid excuse.
The AI-generated Rowe video shows the reporter being backhanded across the face hard enough that she drops to the ground. Her microphone flies out of her hand. Humor is subjective, but there is absolutely nothing funny about hitting any woman.
That depiction was particularly distasteful given that the target was Rowe, who has been a standout in the industry. She has been public about her battle with cancer and is known as one of the hardest working reporters at ESPN. Even worse, she had announced just two weeks earlier that her mother had passed away. Now, she must add to her burden, dealing with being the target of abuse that has been endorsed by one of the premier quarterbacks in college football along with a room full of reporters that disgraced the profession with their own laughter at Manning's response.
Manning's age isn't a viable excuse either. He knew better. Just one month ago, he spoke as a part of his campaign with Red Bull on why he chose to commit to Sarkisian.
"I had faith in the idea that good things happen to good people who work hard and treat people well," Manning said.
"I focused on getting better every day and learning about myself and maturing on and off the field," he later added. "That's ultimately why I stayed [at Texas] and why I think I got the most out of it."
One moment does not define a person, and 22-year-olds are certainly capable of change. But if Manning wants to be that good, mature person that treats people well, some growth needs to happen for him.
Sarkisian's behavior towards Rowe had to feel like a failure for her in the moment. No reporter likes to get shown up on national television. Doris Burke, who was the best sideline reporter in the NBA before being promoted up the ranks, once admitted to Zach Lowe that she was "terrified of being made a fool of on national television."
That nightmare played out for Burke with legendary coach Gregg Popovich, who once responded to two of her questions with one-word answers. The clip went viral, much to Burke's dismay.
"Two words. I was devastated. It was brutal," Burke said. "It was absolutely brutal. I was almost in tears. I go back to where I sit, and I’m trying to compose myself, because I thought I asked two pretty good questions. And those were the responses I got."
Rowe barely got more than two words in during her interview. Sarkisian interrupted her before she could begin her first question.
Manning saw all of it and had an opportunity to practice what he preached, raising Rowe up. Instead, he knocked her further down. Rather than seeing Rowe as a person who had a rough day at work, he saw an easy target. And it was Sarkisian's behavior that set the tone for her lack of value in his eyes.
Steve Sarkisian set an example that Arch Manning followed
Sarkisian has spoken a big game in the past about being a leader of young men.
During an appearance on the "Up and Adams Show" last year, Sarkisian shared his desire for his players "to become great men, right? And whether that's on the football field, whether it's in their home life, whether that's in the business world, whatever that looks like, I have to show them how to do that and what does that look like."
It's easy to say that you're a great man, or that you can show your players how to be great men too. Sarkisian didn't back that talk up on Saturday night.
Sarkisian had walked off earlier too during a halftime interview with reporter Laura Rutledge. His behavior there was excused because it was due to ESPN's technical difficulties. Those problems looked resolved at the end of the game. The coach could have spoken postgame, and it would have taken him a minute. Instead, he showed how little regard he had for Rowe by completely blowing her off.
Sarkisian's behavior towards Rowe delighted some segments of the internet, who were happy to see him dismiss her. He should have known that he was setting an example for his team, his quarterback, and everyone else who was watching the game.
Sarkisian and Manning have buried themselves in a big hole again, even larger than the one they faced on Saturday night. They need to dig themselves out of it. It starts with both men calling Rowe and apologizing personally to her. From there, they must remember that they are always setting an example for young men, whether they want to or not. It's up to them if they want to develop them to become great, or simply pay lip service to the idea.
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