Colin Simmons found himself at the center of media attention on Saturday when Texas Longhorns star celebrated in a vulgar manner after a sack against the Tennessee Volunteers. However, head coach Steve Sarkisian believes that it wasn’t all Simmons’ fault while blaming modern social media culture also for his edge rusher’s actions.
Nov 22, 2025; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian pauses during the second half against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Following No. 1 Texas’ 20-17 victory over No. 14 Volunteers in Knoxville, Sarkisian addressed Simmons’ 15-yard penalty for “simulating using the restroom” after a sack on Vols quarterback Faizon Brandon.
Sarkisian described the whole ordeal as a “look at me society,” where athletes focus on attention and clicks.
“We took him out, we addressed it, and put him back in,” Sarkisian said. “I’m not gonna give the guy the death penalty over an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. We’ve got to fix it though. That can’t continue as we move forward”.
“Unfortunately, in our society right now, we live in the ‘look at me’ society,” Sarkisian said. “All of you guys have your Twitter accounts, and as fast as you can type something because you want everyone to look at your account, and you get clicks. Well, that’s the world that we live in. So we’ve got to get to —it’s about the team and focus on the team, and not so much ‘look at me. So we’ll try to improve upon that, but five sacks was pretty cool today too.”
“We took him out, we addressed it, and put him back in,” Sarkisian said. “I’m not gonna give the guy the death penalty over an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. We’ve got to fix it though. That can’t continue as we move forward”.
“Unfortunately, in our society right now, we live in the ‘look at me’ society,” Sarkisian said. “All of you guys have your Twitter accounts, and as fast as you can type something because you want everyone to look at your account, and you get clicks. Well, that’s the world that we live in. So we’ve got to get to —it’s about the team and focus on the team, and not so much ‘look at me. So we’ll try to improve upon that, but five sacks was pretty cool today too.”
Simmons apologized postgame, stating he got caught up in the emotion of the moment.
“I also do want to say I apologize for the celebration,” said Simmons. “I was definitely in that mode, feeling myself. But, you know, it happens. Charge it to the game.”
Enjoying this article? Support our work with a small crypto donation.“But next-play mentality,” he added. “We don’t harp on that.”
“I also do want to say I apologize for the celebration,” said Simmons. “I was definitely in that mode, feeling myself. But, you know, it happens. Charge it to the game.”
“But next-play mentality,” he added. “We don’t harp on that.”
The penalty converted what would have been a fourth-and-long into a first down for Tennessee. Simmons responded later in the game by recording back-to-back third-quarter sacks without celebrating.
Simmons finished with eight tackles, five sacks, and one forced fumble. Sarkisian called Simmons’ five-sack outing the best individual defensive performance he had ever witnessed.
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