Arch Manning’s sense of humor was on blast Monday as he spoke to reporters days after leading Texas to a comeback win against Ohio State.
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian drew controversy following the Longhorns’ 24-23 victory over the Buckeyes for blowing off ESPN reporter Holly Rowe. Instead of giving a postgame interview, Sarkisian looked into the camera and flashed a Hook ’em Horns sign before storming off the field at DKR Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas.
The moment became meme fodder, with several AI- and fan-edited videos spreading across the internet. One in particular featured Sarkisian slapping Rowe with the back of his hand, seen below (note: the clip contains violence).
You’re all welcome. Hookem. pic.twitter.com/7sRH9jQpIm
— Hookem 🤘 (@hookem) September 14, 2026
Inside Texas reporter Evan Vieth asked Manning whether he had seen any such videos. Manning cited the slapping video in particular and had a good laugh about it.
“I’ve seen a few AI edits and stuff,” Manning said. “I saw an AI edit of Sark’s interview. Y’all seen that one? That was a good one, of him slapping Holly Rowe? Yeah, it’s hilarious.”
“I saw the AI Edit of (Sark) slapping Holly Rowe.”
— Evan Vieth (@EvanVieth) September 14, 2026
I asked Arch Manning if he’d seen any edits on TikTok or Twitter after the game, and his answer is gold. pic.twitter.com/70FnNCVEHb
Not everyone on the internet thought the clip was as “hilarious” as Arch made it seem. Many criticized Manning for finding humor in such a video, even one made by AI.
This is funny?
— B.W. Carlin (@BaileyCarlin) September 15, 2026
Grown men laughing at this and defending it? You people are lost, man. pic.twitter.com/qP832SW3Nx https://t.co/hpO2xigq8l
Wouldn't exactly call this answer "gold."
— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) September 14, 2026
Arch Manning is talking about an AI video of his coach hitting a woman… https://t.co/TAzgDllWoK
Some condemned the reporter who called Manning’s answer “gold” as well as the reporters in the room who laughed at the response.
You think strides are being made for women in sports (specifically men’s sports) and then you come across some bullsh*t like this.
— Kim Adams (@_kimadams) September 15, 2026
Less on Manning – who has a lot to learn as a 22 year old.
More on the room’s reaction and the reporter calling the answer “gold.” https://t.co/pefaVH2WCk
the laughter from all the men in the room … so, so gross. https://t.co/A0qWuws1Pq
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) September 15, 2026
Sarkisian did not have the best interactions with ESPN broadcasters on Saturday night. Aside from the run-in with Rowe, the Texas head coach also refused to stick around for a halftime interview with Laura Rutledge, with his team trailing 20-3 at the break.
Rutledge later clarified that ESPN’s technical difficulties caused the interview to fall through and apologized to Sarkisian on the broadcast.
