In a landmark moment for collegiate athletics, the University of Texas has officially been crowned the No. 1 athletic powerhouse in the nation for 2025—a distinction that sends shockwaves across the NCAA landscape and cements the Longhorns as a dynasty in the making. From football to basketball, baseball to track and field, the burnt orange and white have surged to unprecedented levels of dominance, capturing titles, redefining excellence, and silencing critics who once questioned the Longhorns’ ability to live up to their sky-high expectations.
This historic feat isn’t just about one or two marquee programs performing well. It’s about a sweeping wave of athletic brilliance spanning the entire athletic department. Every major sport saw Texas not just participate but compete, thrive, and in many cases, completely dominate. The result? A crown the school has long chased, one finally secured after decades of investment, innovation, recruiting brilliance, and relentless ambition.
The 2024–25 athletic calendar year will go down as one of the most legendary in college sports history—and the Longhorns are its defining story.
Let’s start where the spotlight shines brightest: football. After years of “almosts” and “maybes,” the Longhorns bulldozed their way through the College Football Playoff to claim the national title behind the arm of Arch Manning, the poise of head coach Steve Sarkisian, and a punishing defense that refused to break under pressure. It was a redemption story years in the making—finally delivering on the promise of “Texas is back.” Their championship run, which included a win over Alabama in the semifinals and a breathtaking fourth-quarter comeback over Michigan in the national title game, elevated the program to the summit of the sport.
But while football may be king in Texas, it was far from the only throne conquered.
Men’s basketball soared to new heights under Rodney Terry, who turned an already competitive squad into a juggernaut. With a mix of experienced returners and dazzling young talent, the Longhorns ripped through the Big 12 and carried that momentum into March Madness. Elite guard play, clutch shooting, and swarming defense helped Texas reach the Final Four, shocking No. 1-seeded programs en route. While they fell just short of the ultimate prize, their performance ensured the program’s place among the nation’s elite—and made clear that the hardwood belongs to the Longhorns just as much as the gridiron does.
On the women’s side, Vic Schaefer’s Longhorns captured their first national championship since 1986, led by superstar Madison Booker, who dominated the NCAA tournament and etched her name into college basketball lore. Booker wasn’t just a scorer—she was a leader, a playmaker, and the face of a program that won with toughness, grace, and grit. Her decision to help fund travel for Longhorns students to the Final Four only deepened her legacy and connected the team even more deeply with the passionate Texas fan base.
The historic success didn’t end there.
Texas Baseball, long a pillar of excellence, delivered another remarkable season, reaching the College World Series behind a lethal mix of power hitting, aggressive baserunning, and elite starting pitching. Though they ultimately finished as runners-up to a red-hot Tennessee squad, the Longhorns proved their place on the national stage. And in softball, the team reached the Women’s College World Series, falling just short of a championship but reinforcing Texas’ dominance in bat-and-ball sports.
Track and field? Champions.
Swimming and diving? Podium finishes and national records.
Tennis? Both the men’s and women’s teams advanced deep into the NCAA tournament, each reaching the Final Four.
Even in the so-called “non-revenue” sports—golf, rowing, volleyball, and soccer—Texas flourished. The volleyball team captured another Big 12 title and advanced to the Final Four, powered by explosive outside hitters and suffocating defense. The women’s soccer team reached the Elite Eight, the farthest run in school history. Rowing set new standards in the Big 12, while the men’s golf team featured two All-Americans and a third-place finish nationally.
It was, quite literally, domination across the board.
For Director of Athletics Chris Del Conte, this moment is a culmination of a strategic vision he’s shepherded since taking over in 2017. Under his guidance, Texas has invested in cutting-edge facilities, bolstered NIL opportunities, and embraced the rapidly changing landscape of collegiate athletics with a blend of old-school tradition and modern strategy. Del Conte’s fingerprints are everywhere—from the renovations to Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium to the elevation of Olympic sports that once struggled for relevance. His relentless pursuit of excellence has redefined what’s possible.
“We wanted to be the best—period,” Del Conte said in a statement following the announcement of Texas’ No. 1 overall ranking. “Not just in football or basketball. In everything. This is the result of years of work, from our coaches, athletes, alumni, and supporters. We don’t take this moment for granted.”
Neither do the athletes.
Across campus, student-athletes are embracing the moment, understanding the magnitude of what they’ve accomplished but also recognizing that sustaining it will take even more discipline, unity, and drive.
“I came to Texas to be great,” said Arch Manning. “We believed in each other. We trusted the process. And now we’re champions.”
Madison Booker echoed that sentiment, saying, “It wasn’t just about winning games—it was about building something bigger than us. We made history. But we’re not done.”
There’s something powerful about what Texas has built. It’s not just talent or facilities—it’s culture. A winning culture. A culture where pressure is a privilege and where every athlete, from football’s starting quarterback to the walk-on rower, is held to the highest standard.
Part of that culture is rooted in Longhorn pride, a brand synonymous with Texas swagger, tradition, and ambition. From the “Hook ‘Em” sign to the iconic burnt orange uniforms, Texas athletics carries a legacy few schools can rival—and now they have the titles, trophies, and accolades to back it all up.
Yet, even as Texas basks in the glow of its greatest athletic year in modern history, questions loom about what comes next. Can they sustain this dominance amid constant change in college athletics? Can they hold off SEC powerhouses as they enter the conference full-time in 2025–26? Can they remain the nation’s top athletic department in an era of NIL bidding wars, conference realignment, and transfer portal chaos?
If 2025 is any indication, the answer is a resounding yes.
This isn’t a flash in the pan. It’s the result of infrastructure, vision, and a relentless competitive fire. And the scary part for everyone else? Texas might just be getting started.
With elite recruiting classes in nearly every sport, a loyal donor base, and perhaps the best NIL ecosystem in the country, the Longhorns are poised to continue their reign for years to come. They’ve set the bar, and now it’s up to the rest of the nation to catch up.
