‘He doesn’t get the love that he should get’: How Quinn Ewers put Texas back in the spotlight
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Andrea Adelson, ESPN Senior Writer
ATLANTA — The national championship drought has stretched nearly 20 years at Texas, not that anyone needs to tell quarterback Quinn Ewers. Somewhere in his childhood home, his mom still has a Longhorns hat he wore when he was 3, and 4 and 5, refusing to let anyone take it off his head. He’s been thinking about a Longhorns national title since he took that hat off. And, for a time, he was sure last season would finally be when that drought came to an end.
Texas had won its first Big 12 championship since 2009 and advanced to its first College Football Playoff appearance behind Ewers, who had made his literal childhood dream come true when he decided to play for the Longhorns. Everything felt as if it was coming together for a storybook ending headed into their semifinal game against Washington in the Allstate Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1, 2024.
Though Ewers struggled for long stretches, he rallied Texas in the fourth quarter. Down 37-31 with 41 seconds left, Ewers had a chance to lead a game-winning drive. All he had to do was take Texas 69 yards for the score.
He got inside the Washington 15 and then had four tries to score. On the final attempt, Ewers dropped back and lofted a ball for Adonai Mitchell in the end zone. Elijah Jackson batted the ball away.
Ewers was reduced to tears, his red-rimmed eyes speaking for him during the postgame news conference.
That night in the Sugar Bowl stuck with him for a year. Now, Ewers has delivered Texas back to the semifinal, a date with Ohio State — his former school — looming in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl. And his goals have not changed in the year since the Sugar Bowl loss.
He still wants to be the quarterback to deliver the first Texas national title since 2005.
“It definitely was tough just to go back and watch what happened,” Ewers told ESPN during a quiet moment in the locker room after a 39-31 win over Arizona State in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. “It feels you’re like an inch away from going to the national championship. It’s a hard pill to swallow.
“I mean, I can tell you, I probably didn’t sleep for two days after that game.”
Nine days after that Sugar Bowl loss, Ewers announced he would return to Texas. Ewers had endured plenty in 2023, beyond the gut-wrenching ending to the Sugar Bowl. Though he was entrenched as the starter after transferring to Texas in 2022 from Ohio State, Texas had just signed freshman phenom Arch Manning, nephew of Peyton and Eli. Nothing Ewers did seemed good enough for the fan base. Whispers followed every bad play, every average performance.
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian never stopped believing that Ewers was his guy. And Ewers and Manning maintain that their relationship is strong. But the lasting image from that Sugar Bowl may very well be the snapshot of Ewers, sitting alone on a dais at media day, looking behind him at a large crowd gathered to talk to Manning.
Despite everything he has done to bring Texas back to national relevance, he’ll be the guy some fans have been waiting on to leave for two years.
Unless he wins two more games.
Of course, there were those who did not expect him to stay for 2024. The natural assumption was that Ewers would leave after last season and that Manning would finally take the starting quarterback job. Instead, that loss in the Sugar Bowl solidified Ewers’ decision to come back.
This year, Texas became his team more than ever. As Texas worked to make it back, Ewers said, “That is just a testament to my teammates and how much trust everybody has in me, and I feel like it helps me be a better player.”
Manning played more this year, starting two games after Ewers sustained an abdominal injury in September and seeing spot duty in situational run packages, especially after Ewers sprained his ankle late in the season. But even in games when Ewers struggled to move the offense, Sarkisian stayed loyal to his starter.
Ewers is comfortable leading this offense. With him, it knows how to win. His teammates believe in him. Ewers will end his Texas career as one of the all-time greats in program history. As it stands, he ranks No. 3 in career passing yards and touchdowns thrown for the Longhorns; he has thrown a touchdown pass in 26 straight games, the longest streak by a Texas QB since Colt McCoy from 2007 to 2009. Only McCoy has more 300-yard passing games than Ewers.
In 35 career starts, Ewers is 27-8. Five of those losses came in his first year as a starter in 2022. Two came to Georgia this season, and Ewers’ performances in both losses gave his critics plenty of fodder to hold against him. His play might look downright clunky at times, but when he delivers, he shows off playmaking ability that made him the No. 1 recruit in the country out of high school.
Like when Ewers delivered two perfect passes on the first two plays of the Peach Bowl against Arizona State. Then nothing for two quarters. The fourth quarter was the typical yin-and-yang Ewers experience. His 5-yard touchdown run put Texas up 24-8 and brought out a rare show of emotion, as he flexed his arms to punctuate the score.
Arizona State answered with a touchdown. Two plays into the ensuing drive, Ewers threw an interception with 5:45 to play, leading to the game-tying score. From there, though, Ewers was locked in — going 8-of-10 for 105 yards on the last two drives of the fourth quarter — putting Texas in field goal range both times. Bert Auburn missed both attempts.
In overtime, Texas was down to its final play: fourth-and-13 from the Arizona State 28. Though it was not identical to the situation in the Sugar Bowl a year ago, it was close enough.
It was on Ewers to make a throw to save the season.
Texas got to the line, and Ewers sent a player in motion. That is when he says he saw Arizona State tip its defensive playcall, because sometimes Texas motions and then snaps right away. Ewers changed the protection to account for the defensive play — where the Sun Devils planned to bring their safety and linebackers and rush six. With the safety now rushing the passer, Ewers knew he would have Matthew Golden down the field wide open.
Touchdown, Texas.
“I think everybody sees the throw and the catch,” offensive coordinator Kyle Flood said. “I don’t know if you saw him change the protection. I knew we were going to be protected. We’re going to be clean. And now it’s just a matter, hopefully we can get open. He makes the right throw.”
“Quinn’s got a clutch gene, and he came through,” said Texas edge player Ethan Burke, who stood on the sideline waiting for the final play.
In the second overtime, Sarkisian called a play Texas often runs during spring and fall camp for tight end Gunnar Helm in overtime situations. “We have a really solid defense, so most of the time it gets covered up,” Ewers said. “Even if he wasn’t one-on-one, I was going to give Gunnar a shot, and if that wasn’t there, I knew I had Tre [Wisner] in the flat. So, just so cool to see that play come to fruition.”
Indeed, as Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron cradled the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl Defensive MVP trophy in one arm while answering a question about the defensive performance, he stopped midsentence.
“Big shoutout to Quinn,” Barron said. “He doesn’t get the love that he should get from others, but it doesn’t matter. He knows he doesn’t need that love. We love him.”
Barron, Ewers and the other players who felt the sting after the loss in the Sugar Bowl in 2024 now have their second chance to advance to the national title game.
“I don’t think any of them forget being in New Orleans at the end of that game last year, and I don’t think any of them forgot all offseason long, and the obsession that they’ve had with getting back to this stage, I think is one that has fueled us through a fair amount of adversity that has gotten us back here,” Sarkisian said.
“That is definitely accurate,” Ewers said. “This game is my life, and this game is this whole team’s life, and for us to go as far as we did, and the amount of time that we put in was definitely hard, but [we’re] just so thankful that we have another opportunity to go win and a game that we lost last year.”
The Philadelphia Flyers have hired Rick Tocchet as their next head coach, it was announced Wednesday.
The framework of the deal puts Tocchet among the highest-paid coaches in the NHL, sources told ESPN.
“I am very happy to welcome Rick Tocchet as our head coach,” general manager Daniel Briere said in a statement. “During this process it became clear that Rick was the absolute right coach to lead our team. He has enjoyed the highest level of success both as a player and coach.
“Rick’s ability to teach and understand his players, combined with his passion for winning, brings out the best in young players at different stages of their development and has earned the respect and confidence of highly talented All-Stars and veteran players alike.”
Tocchet, 61, is already in the Flyers Hall of Fame after spending parts of 11 seasons with the team during his 18-year playing career.
The Flyers still consider themselves in a rebuild phase after missing the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season. Philadelphia fired John Tortorella in March after philosophical differences emerged between the coach and the front office.
Brad Shaw served as interim coach for the remainder of the season, and the Flyers (33-39-10) finished tied for last place in the Eastern Conference.
“I’ve always been a Flyer at heart and have taken that passion and energy that embodies this city and organization with me throughout my career,” Tocchet said. “… I couldn’t be more excited to lead this team back among the NHL elite where we belong. We have a lot of work to do and much to accomplish, but I am confident in the direction we are heading and determined to get us there.”
Tocchet, who stepped down as coach of the Vancouver Canucks after the season as his three-year contract expired, was among the most desirable candidates in a crowded coaching market.
According to sources, Tocchet also spoke with the Seattle Kraken and the Anaheim Ducks, who never formally interviewed Tocchet before hiring Joel Quenneville last week. The Boston Bruins also had Tocchet high on their list.
“What is impressive about Rick is that players gravitate towards him and develop a strong relationship in the process,” team president Keith Jones said in a statement. “There is a genuine trust that he will do everything he can to bring success to the team.”
Tocchet was also considering a return to television next season, sources told ESPN, after he served as a regular on TNT’s coverage before joining the Canucks. He has also appeared on the network’s coverage during the 2024-25 Stanley Cup playoffs.
Tocchet left Vancouver just one year removed from winning the Jack Adams Award. The Canucks, after a season of turmoil that included the trade of center J.T. Miller to the New York Rangers, missed the playoffs by six points.
Tocchet, who replaced Bruce Boudreau as Canucks coach in January 2023, had previous head coaching stints with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Arizona Coyotes. His career NHL coaching record is 286-265-87 in the regular season and 11-11 in the playoffs.
Tocchet, who also played for the Coyotes, becomes the 14th individual to have played for/coached multiple teams in NHL history, according to ESPN Research. That list also includes Craig Berube, who played for/coached the Flyers and now the Maple Leafs, and Jim Montgomery, who played for/coached the Stars and now the Blues.
HERNING, Denmark — Tage Thompson completed his hat trick with a power-play goal in overtime to give the United States a 6-5 win over Norway after the Americans squandered a four-goal lead at the ice hockey world championship on Wednesday.
Norway forced overtime when defenseman Stian Solberg scored with 1:27 left in regulation, as the Anaheim Ducks prospect completed a hat trick of his own.
Thompson, a Buffalo Sabres center, scored the winner 4:09 into overtime for the U.S., which has eight points in Group B while Norway earns its first point.
“We did some good things and it was obviously great to get the win,” U.S. head coach Ryan Warsofsky said. “We’ll build on this as we get set to take on a very good Germany team on Saturday.”
For the Americans, captain Clayton Keller had a goal and two assists, and Cutter Gauthier and Michael McCarron added a goal each for the U.S. to rebound from a loss to Switzerland.
Gauthier put the U.S. 1-0 ahead 4:50 into the game before Keller hit the top corner of the net to double the lead 7:18 into the frame.
Gauthier is tied with Canada forward Bo Horvat atop the goal scoring table with four goals.
Solberg reduced the deficit to 2-1 on the power play before Thompson and McCarron completed the four-goal period for the U.S.
Thompson added his second 2:55 into the middle period for a 5-1 lead.
Norway was not done, though.
Solberg had his second goal on a power play for Norway to trail 5-2 and Martin Ronnild added another one on a breakaway still in the frame.
Midway through the third, Noah Steen made it a one-goal game before Norway pulled its goalie for an extra attacker — and Solberg scored to make it 5-5.
“It was an important game for us and taking a point was huge,” Solberg said. “I am happy for the team and happy for myself.”
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski had an assist for the U.S. in his first game at the worlds. He arrived Monday but his equipment was delayed and he couldn’t play in the 3-0 loss to Switzerland that day.
Werenski is one of three finalists for the Norris Trophy given to the NHL’s top defenseman.
In Stockholm, Slovakia beat France 2-1 for its second win. France remains on one point.
Sweden faces Latvia later in the day in Stockholm while Denmark plays Kazakhstan in Herning.
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Greg Wyshynski
The Vancouver Canucks have named Adam Foote as their new head coach, the team announced Wednesday.
Foote, 53, had served as an assistant coach under head coach Rick Tocchet for the last three seasons. His only previous head coaching experience was one season behind the bench of the WHL Kelowna Rockets, going 29-28-6 in 63 games in 2019-20.
He’s the 22nd head coach in franchise history. TSN reported that Foote agreed to a three-year deal.
Vancouver Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin announced today that the team has hired Adam Foote as the 22nd Head Coach in franchise history. pic.twitter.com/dJTDh8XoHb
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) May 14, 2025
Tocchet stepped down after his three-year contract expired at the conclusion of the 2024-25 season. Vancouver opted not to exercise its contract option on Tocchet, having instead offered him a large extension. Team president Jim Rutherford said that the Canucks “did everything in our power” to retain Tocchet but that “he may have his mind somewhere else.”
Sources told ESPN on Wednesday that Tocchet will be the next head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers, with whom he played for 11 seasons.
Foote won two Stanley Cups as a player with the Colorado Avalanche (1996 and 2001) and was considered one of the NHL’s premier defensive defensemen during his 19-season career. Foote also played for the Quebec Nordiques before the franchise moved to Colorado and for the Columbus Blue Jackets.
“His past experiences on the ice have translated nicely into a coaching style that fits our organization’s goals and vision. He has worked extremely hard the past few years, gaining our players’ respect and trust for his strong communication and honest, straightforward opinion. He knows this group better than anyone else we interviewed and has inside knowledge and understanding of what it will take to get us back to where we want to be,” Canucks GM Patrik Allvin said.
Foote wasn’t the only internal candidate interviewed for the Vancouver head coaching job. AHL Abbotsford head coach Manny Malhotra was also under consideration.
Foote takes over a Canucks team that failed to make the playoffs after advancing to the second round in 2023-24. Vancouver has made the postseason only twice in the past 10 NHL seasons. The Canucks face a series of questions heading into next season, from the fate of free agent winger Brock Boeser to how to get 26-year-old star center Elias Pettersson back on track offensively. But the hiring of Foote might serve to address another one of the team’s uncertainties: the fate of captain Quinn Hughes.
The defenseman is signed through the 2026-27 season, but Rutherford recently sparked speculation that Hughes might seek to eventually leave Vancouver to play with brothers Jack and Luke, who are currently with the New Jersey Devils.
“He’s said before he wants to play with his brothers, and that would be partly out of our control,” Rutherford said.
Foote spent the past two seasons working with the team’s defensemen. They were the two best seasons of Quinn Hughes’ NHL career, with him winning the Norris Trophy in 2023-24 and being a finalist for the award again this season. Now, the man who got the best out of the captain is sticking around as the team’s new head coach.
Cal Foote, son of Adam Foote, is one of five players from Canada’s 2018 world junior championships team facing sexual assault charges from an incident in a London, Ontario, hotel room. The trial is ongoing. All five players have pleaded not guilty.
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