Steve Sarkisian Disrespects ESPN Reporter Holly Rowe After Ohio State Win

Q: Did a hidden ESPN technical failure actually trigger Steve Sarkisian’s viral sideline outburst after Texas’ historic upset over Ohio State?

Yes — available reporting indicates ESPN technical problems were a real factor in Steve Sarkisian’s behavior, though they do not fully prove they alone caused the viral postgame moment with Holly Rowe. During halftime, ESPN’s Laura Rutledge said on air that Sarkisian had waited “a long time” for an interview while the network dealt with technical issues. She said Sarkisian was patient, apologized to ESPN, and that ESPN owed him the apology. That established that broadcast problems had already frustrated the Texas coach earlier in the game. After the 24-23 comeback win over Ohio State, a Texas spokesperson told The Athletic that ESPN’s technical issues resurfaced on the field postgame and affected Sarkisian’s demeanor during Rowe’s attempted interview. That gives credible support to the idea that the exchange was influenced by production trouble rather than simple hostility. Still, there is no public technical report from ESPN confirming exactly what failed after the game, and ESPN had not issued a formal statement specifically verifying a second malfunction at that moment. On camera, what viewers saw was Sarkisian cutting off Rowe, shouting “Texas Fight” and “Hook ’em,” and walking away — behavior many, including columnist Gordon Monson, viewed as rude regardless of the reason. So the best-supported answer is that a hidden ESPN technical issue likely contributed to Sarkisian’s outburst, but it cannot be established as the sole trigger from the evidence now public.

3 articles · Updated · Salt Lake Tribune · Sep 14

Steve Sarkisian drew criticism after treating ESPN reporter Holly Rowe disrespectfully in the aftermath of Texas' win over Ohio State.
The episode came when Sarkisian was still emotional after the victory, a reaction the report says did not justify how he addressed Rowe.
Columnist Gordon Monson argued Sarkisian had every right to be fired up about the result but no need to be a jerk to Rowe.