Texas HC Steve Sarkisian drops bizarre bathroom comment when asked about Arch Manning’s rumored arm injury

Shane Shoemaker

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Texas HC Steve Sarkisian drops bizarre bathroom comment when asked about Arch Manning’s rumored arm injury image

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Arch Manning entered the 2025 season with expectations about as large as the state of Texas itself. Much of that has to do with his last name, one synonymous with quarterback greatness.

But Manning has been far from great in his first season as the Texas Longhorns’ starter.

Through two games, the Longhorns sit at 1-1. Manning has completed 60 percent of his passes for 465 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions. He has also added 61 rushing yards and one score on the ground.

What has stood out, however, is Manning’s throwing motion. On multiple occasions, cameras have caught him wincing in pain after releasing the ball, raising questions about whether he’s dealing with a hidden injury.

The issue first became noticeable in the Longhorns’ loss to Ohio State and again in Week 2 against San Jose State. On3’s Andy Staples suggested Manning’s grimaces may simply be the quarterback reacting to a poor throw rather than masking an injury.

When Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian was pressed on the matter, he offered one of the strangest responses of his career.

“He doesn’t have any (injuries),” Sarkisian said. “I don’t know. I’ve never filmed any of you guys when you’re using the bathroom, so I don’t know what kind of faces you’re making when you are doing that.”

Well, okay then.

Watch the video:

The remark can be taken in a couple of ways. One, Sarkisian may be tired of the never ending Arch Manning talk that has followed the young quarterback since his arrival in Austin two years ago. Or two, Manning is indeed playing through some sort of injury, and the Longhorns would rather keep it under wraps.

Either way, Sarkisian’s bathroom analogy comes off as more than just awkward. It looks dismissive of legitimate concerns about his quarterback’s health. For a coach already under pressure to make Texas a national title contender, his answer was just strange. It should have been flushed.

Shane Shoemaker

Shane Shoemaker began his career as an editorial writer for ClutchPoints, covering college football, the NFL and MLB. His love for sports took off at age 5, when his dad began taking him all over the country to watch the Atlanta Braves and later, the Miami Hurricanes football team — fueling his passion for experiencing new stadiums. Although a lifelong Tennessean, he remains unaffiliated with local teams, even after writing for Vols Wire. Shane holds a BA in Communications/Journalism from the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga and never misses a chance to mention the Atlanta Braves’ 2021 World Series win.