The Texas Longhorns, one of the most storied programs in college football history, have secured a total of four national championships. These titles were claimed in different eras, showcasing the program’s enduring success and ability to remain competitive in the changing landscape of college football.
The first national championship for the Longhorns came in 1963 under head coach Darrell Royal. The team finished the season with a perfect 11-0 record and was ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press (AP) Poll. The Longhorns defeated the University of Navy 28-6 in the Cotton Bowl to clinch the championship, marking the beginning of Texas’s dominance in the sport. This title was particularly significant because it demonstrated the Longhorns’ ability to compete at the highest level in an era dominated by powerhouse programs like Alabama and Notre Dame.
The second national title came in 1969, again under the guidance of Darrell Royal. This season is perhaps one of the most iconic in Texas football history. The Longhorns finished with an 11-0 record and defeated the heavily favored Arkansas Razorbacks in the “Game of the Century,” a 15-14 victory that earned them a spot in the Cotton Bowl. Texas went on to defeat the University of Notre Dame, 21-17, to secure the national championship. The 1969 team is widely regarded as one of the best in college football history and helped solidify Texas as a perennial powerhouse in the sport.
The third national title came in 1970, when the Longhorns, under Royal’s leadership, posted another undefeated season, finishing 10-0-1. Texas had a dramatic, hard-fought tie with Arkansas during the regular season but eventually earned the national championship by defeating Notre Dame 24-11 in the Cotton Bowl. Though the Longhorns’ season was not perfect, they ended up being the undisputed champions in the eyes of the major polls.
Texas’s fourth and most recent national championship came in 2005 under head coach Mack Brown. This was a thrilling season for the Longhorns and their fans. The team, led by Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Vince Young, finished the season 13-0. The highlight of the season was the BCS National Championship Game, where Texas defeated the University of Southern California, 41-38, in one of the most dramatic and memorable games in college football history. Vince Young’s game-winning touchdown run in the final minutes is etched into the memories of Longhorns fans and is considered one of the greatest individual performances in college football.
These four national championships—the first in 1963, second in 1969, third in 1970, and fourth in 2005—help define the legacy of Texas Longhorns football. Each championship represents a different chapter in the program’s history, but all showcase the team’s ability to perform on the biggest stage in college sports.
