How Many National Championships Has Texas Won in Football?

By Sarah Miller · August 22, 2043

The University of Texas football program has won four recognized national championships in its history, claiming titles in 1963, 1969, 1970, and 2005.

Understanding Texas Longhorns' National Championships

The University of Texas at Austin boasts one of the most storied college football programs in NCAA history. While the Longhorns have made numerous appearances in major bowl games and conference championships, they have been officially recognized as national champions four times by NCAA-designated major selectors such as the Associated Press (AP) Poll and the Coaches Poll.

Years Texas Won the National Championship

1963: Led by legendary coach Darrell Royal, Texas finished 11–0 and claimed the national title via AP and UPI polls.
1969: Another undefeated season (11–0), culminating in a win over Notre Dame in the Cotton Bowl; ranked No. 1 in both final polls.
1970: Finished 10–1–1 but was awarded the national title by the National Football Foundation after an Orange Bowl victory.
2005: Under head coach Mack Brown, Texas defeated USC in the iconic BCS National Championship Game, finishing 13–0 and ranked No. 1 in both major polls.

Historical Context and Championship Recognition

Unlike today's College Football Playoff system, national champions prior to 1998 were determined by polling organizations rather than a postseason tournament. The NCAA recognizes multiple entities as 'major selectors,' including the AP Poll, Coaches Poll, and the National Football Foundation (NFF). Texas's four titles are those acknowledged by at least one of these primary selectors.

Why Only Four? Disputes and Claims

Some fans argue that Texas should be credited with additional championships, particularly in seasons like 1977 or 2008, when the team performed strongly but did not finish atop the final rankings. However, only seasons where Texas was named champion by a recognized selector are counted in official NCAA records.

Year	Record	Bowl Game	Final Ranking (AP)	Head Coach	Selector(s)
1963	11–0	Orange Bowl	No. 1	Darrell Royal	AP, UPI
1969	11–0	Cotton Bowl	No. 1	Darrell Royal	AP, UPI
1970	10–1–1	Orange Bowl	No. 2 (AP), No. 1 (NFF)	Darrell Royal	National Football Foundation
2005	13–0	BCS National Championship Game	No. 1	Mack Brown	AP, Coaches Poll, BCS

Table data source:1, 2, 3

The data shows that three of Texas's national titles came under Hall of Fame coach Darrell Royal, highlighting his transformative impact on the program. The 2005 championship stands out for being decided in a head-to-head matchup against the top-ranked team in one of the greatest college football games ever played. While the 1970 title is sometimes debated due to split rankings, it remains officially recognized by the NFF.

Recent Contenders and Future Outlook

Since 2005, Texas has remained competitive but has not returned to the national championship game until the 2024 season, when they joined the Southeastern Conference (SEC). With expanded playoff access and elite recruiting, the Longhorns aim to add to their championship legacy in the new 12-team College Football Playoff era.

Frequently Asked Questions About Texas Football National Championships

How many national championships has Texas won in football?

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

Did Texas win a national championship in 2005?

Yes, Texas won the 2005 BCS National Championship by defeating USC 41–38 in the Rose Bowl, finishing the season 13–0 and ranked No. 1 in both the AP and Coaches Polls.

Why doesn't Texas claim more than four national titles?

Texas only claims titles recognized by NCAA-acknowledged major selectors. Although they had strong seasons in years like 1977 and 2008, they were not ranked No. 1 in any final poll, so those are not officially claimed.

Who was the coach during Texas's national championship wins?

Darrell Royal was head coach for the 1963, 1969, and 1970 titles. Mack Brown led the team to the 2005 championship.

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

As of the 2024 season, Texas has not won a national championship in the College Football Playoff era, which began in 2014. Their last title was in 2005, just before the BCS evolved into the CFP format.