Rex Linn’s Advice for Steve Sarkisian & Why Arch Manning Gets a Bad Rap

Rex Linn loves the Texas Longhorns so much that, by his own account, the season has been a bit much. Asked by Rich how he's feeling about his team, Linn didn't sugarcoat it.

"I've checked myself into the psychiatric ward several times during the season," he joked on The Rich Eisen Show.

A Brutal Finishing Stretch

Linn knows what's coming, and it isn't easy. He ran through the schedule: Missouri this Saturday, which "could be tough," then LSU at night, then Arkansas, and finally A&M at A&M.

So what would fix things? Linn went right to the trenches. "What would I give for an offensive line?" he said. "A better one."

Sark Should Hire an Offensive Coordinator

Then came the part Linn admitted might get him in trouble. "I think Sark should get an offensive coordinator," he said. "He's a great play caller. But I think it's time for an offensive coordinator and to let him do other stuff, and not call the plays constantly."

Rich framed it as letting Steve Sarkisian be the CEO of the team. Linn agreed, while making clear this wasn't a knock on Sarkisian's ability. "We know that he can be a great offensive coordinator. He was for Alabama, and he's a good play caller," Linn said. "But I think he's just got too much on his plate."

He's realistic about it, though. "I would love to have an offensive coordinator," he said. "I don't think that's going to happen, probably."

Defending Arch Manning

Linn also pushed back on the criticism of Arch Manning. "I'm not as down on Arch as some people are," he said. In his view, the offensive line is a big part of the story. "If he had a better offensive line, I think he might be in a little bit better shape."

He didn't pretend the young quarterback is flawless. Manning has "had some issues with accuracy a little bit and holding on to the ball a little bit long," Linn said, before adding with a laugh, "but hell, I'm just an armchair coach."

The Longhorn Golf Cart

Rich wasn't letting him off that easy. He called Linn one of the biggest Texas fans he's ever come across, and Linn owned it. "I'm pretty rabid about it."

Rich had proof. During his guest role on CSI: Miami, he remembered seeing Linn driving around in a custom Texas Longhorn golf cart, with horns mounted on the front like a hood ornament.

That led to Rich's final question: what's the angriest Linn has ever seen Bevo, or David Caruso, on set? The laughter answered most of it. "No, Bevo," came the clarification.

For a fan with Missouri, LSU, Arkansas and A&M still ahead, the hope is simple: give Arch better protection, give Sark some help, and maybe stay out of the psychiatric ward through November.