How Many National Championships Does Texas Football Have?

By Sarah Miller · December 16, 2028

The University of Texas football program has won 4 national championships in its history, according to the NCAA-recognized selectors. These titles were claimed in the seasons of 1963, 1969, 1970, and 2005.

Understanding Texas Longhorns' National Championships

The Texas Longhorns football team, representing the University of Texas at Austin, is one of the most storied programs in college football history. While they have consistently competed at a high level for decades, their official national championship count stands at four, as recognized by major NCAA-designated selectors such as the Associated Press (AP) Poll and the Coaches Poll.

What Constitutes a National Championship in College Football?

Unlike other sports with playoff systems to determine a champion, college football's national title was historically awarded based on final polls before the College Football Playoff era began in 2014. The primary methods include:

AP Poll: A panel of sportswriters and broadcasters votes weekly, with the final poll released after bowl games.
Coaches Poll (formerly coaches' poll, now AFCA Coaches Poll): Head coaches across Division I FBS teams vote on rankings.
NCAA-Recognized Selectors: The NCAA recognizes multiple selectors, including mathematical models and historical panels.
College Football Playoff (CFP): Since 2014, a four-team playoff determines the official champion.

Year-by-Year Breakdown of Texas' Championships

Texas’ four national titles came during two dominant eras under legendary head coach Darrell Royal and one under Mack Brown. Let’s examine each season in detail.

1963 Season: First Title Under Darrell Royal

Under first-year head coach Darrell Royal, Texas finished the season 11–0 and ranked No. 1 in both the AP and Coaches Polls. The Longhorns defeated top-ranked Navy in the Cotton Bowl, led by Heisman Trophy winner Roger Staubach, solidifying their claim as national champions.

1969 Season: Undefeated Run and 'Game of the Century'

This season featured the famous "Game of the Century" against No. 2 Arkansas, played in front of President Richard Nixon at Razorback Stadium. Texas won 15–14 and went on to finish 11–0, claiming the national title in both major polls after defeating Tennessee in the Cotton Bowl.

1970 Season: Back-to-Back Champions

Despite losing quarterback James Street early in the season, Texas rallied behind backup Alan Veingrad and running back Roosevelt Leaks to finish 10–1. Their only loss came late in the regular season to rival Texas A&M, but due to strong performance overall and key wins, they retained the No. 1 spot in the final Coaches Poll, earning a shared national title. Note: The AP Poll crowned Nebraska as champion this year.

2005 Season: Vince Young and the CFP-Era Precursor

In one of the most iconic seasons in college football history, Texas completed a perfect 13–0 campaign under head coach Mack Brown. Led by superstar quarterback Vince Young, the Longhorns defeated USC in the 2006 Rose Bowl — widely regarded as the greatest college football game ever played — to win the BCS National Championship and finish No. 1 in both final polls.

Year	Head Coach	Final Record	Final AP Rank	Final Coaches Rank	Bowl Game	Championship Recognized By
1963	Darrell Royal	11–0	1st	1st	Cotton Bowl	AP, Coaches
1969	Darrell Royal	11–0	1st	1st	Cotton Bowl	AP, Coaches
1970	Darrell Royal	10–1	2nd	1st	Cotton Bowl	Coaches Only
2005	Mack Brown	13–0	1st	1st	Rose Bowl (BCS)	AP, Coaches, BCS

Table data source:1, 2, 3

The data shows that Texas secured three of its four national titles under Darrell Royal, highlighting his legacy as one of college football’s greatest coaches. The 1970 title remains partially disputed, as only the Coaches Poll awarded it to Texas, while the AP chose Nebraska. The 2005 championship is universally recognized and marked the program’s most recent title.

Disputed Claims and Other Contenders

Some fans and alternative ranking systems suggest Texas may have additional claims, particularly in 1977 when they finished No. 1 in the final regular-season AP Poll but lost the Cotton Bowl to Notre Dame. However, since they did not finish No. 1 in any final post-bowl poll, this season is not officially counted among their national championships.

Frequently Asked Questions About Texas Football National Championships

How many national championships does Texas football have?

The University of Texas football team has won 4 nationally recognized national championships in 1963, 1969, 1970, and 2005.

Did Texas win a national championship in 1977?

No, Texas did not win a national championship in 1977. Although they were ranked No. 1 in the AP Poll before the bowl games, they lost to Notre Dame in the Cotton Bowl, and the final AP and Coaches Polls crowned Notre Dame as champions.

Why do some sources say Texas has more than 4 titles?

Some organizations or mathematical ranking systems retroactively award championships to Texas in years like 1977 or 1981. However, these are not recognized by the NCAA or the major polls (AP and Coaches), so they are not considered official.

Who was the coach during Texas' national championship seasons?

Darrell Royal was head coach for the 1963, 1969, and 1970 titles. Mack Brown was the head coach for the 2005 national championship season.

When was Texas' last national championship?

Texas' most recent national championship was in the 2005 season, culminating in a victory over USC in the 2006 Rose Bowl, which served as the BCS National Championship Game.

Has Texas won a national championship in the College Football Playoff era?

No, Texas has not won a national championship since the College Football Playoff began in 2014. Their last title came in the 2005 season, prior to the CFP format.