In a moment that left many attendees doing a double-take, the Southeastern Conference (SEC) media days kicked off with an unexpected gaffe: Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian was introduced to the tune of Texas A&M’s “Aggie War Hymn.”
The incident occurred during Sarkisian’s scheduled appearance as part of Texas’ formal introduction to the SEC, a historic moment as the Longhorns join the conference for the 2025 football season. Instead of the traditional “Texas Fight” or the “Eyes of Texas,” the Aggie War Hymn—the fight song of Texas A&M and one of Texas’ fiercest rivals—blared through the speakers.
Sarkisian appeared momentarily surprised but maintained composure as he walked to the podium. A few nervous chuckles rippled through the crowd, and some attendees glanced at each other, unsure if the moment was a joke or an error.
An SEC spokesperson later confirmed the mix-up was unintentional and attributed it to a “production oversight.”
“We sincerely regret the audio mistake and have extended our apologies to Coach Sarkisian and the University of Texas,” the spokesperson said.
Texas and Texas A&M, whose rivalry was reignited with their return to the same conference, are set to face off later this fall in what many expect to be a heated and nationally watched game: Lighthearted/Humorous Take
Awkward! SEC Welcomes Texas Coach Steve Sarkisian with… the Aggie War Hymn?
Somewhere, a Texas fan just spit out their sweet tea.
At what should’ve been a triumphant SEC media debut for the Texas Longhorns, head coach Steve Sarkisian stepped onto the stage—only to be greeted by the last song any Longhorn wants to hear: the Aggie War Hymn.
Yep. That Aggie War Hymn. The one that literally says, “Goodbye to Texas University.”
In a mix-up that’s already going viral, SEC event staff played Texas A&M’s fight song to introduce the Longhorns’ head coach, creating a uniquely awkward moment in the history of college football PR blunders. Sarkisian took it in stride, though he did raise an eyebrow and flash a wry smile.
Meanwhile, Aggie fans online couldn’t resist poking fun, with one fan posting: “Even the SEC knows who runs Texas now.”
The SEC later issued a formal apology, blaming a “production team error.” But for many, the moment was too perfect to dismiss.
Texas and A&M will meet this November in one of the most anticipated rivalry games in recent memory. You can bet both sides will be ready—and that the right fight songs will be queued up: Sports Fan Reaction Style (Blog/Forum)
“They Played the AGGIE War Hymn for Sark?! SEC Media Days Start With a Troll or a Blunder?”
You can’t make this up.
On the first day of SEC Media Days, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian stepped up for his long-awaited intro to the SEC spotlight—and walked out to the Aggie War Hymn. That’s right. The Aggie War Hymn. The fight song of Texas A&M, Texas’ archrival.
Longhorn Twitter exploded. A&M fans were howling with laughter. And Sark? Cool as ever—walked up, said nothing, and kept it professional. But you know he noticed.
Was it a troll? Was it just a bad production cue? The SEC called it a mistake. But the timing, the rivalry, the tension—it all made it feel like someone in the booth was having a little too much fun.
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