---
title: "UT unveils new football training complex"
url: https://www.herecharleston.com/2026/09/06/ut-football-training-complex-unveiled/
date: 2026-09-06T10:10:40+00:00
modified: 2026-09-06T10:10:40+00:00
author: "Alice Le"
categories: ["Education"]
site: "HERE Charleston"
attribution: "HERE Charleston"
---

# UT unveils new football training complex

*Source: [HERE Charleston](https://www.herecharleston.com/2026/09/06/ut-football-training-complex-unveiled/) — September 6, 2026 by Alice Le*

The University of Texas unveiled its new football training complex on Friday, a facility that university officials and coaches believe will further elevate a program already recognized among the nation’s most successful. This development comes just before the Longhorns’ 2026 season opener on Saturday against Texas State at Royal-Memorial Stadium.

The Frank and Wofford Denius Texas Football Training Complex is situated south of Royal-Memorial Stadium along Robert Dedman Drive. It occupies the former site of the Steve Hicks School of Social Work and replaces Denius Field and the indoor practice bubble as the Longhorns’ primary practice facility. The complex is named in honor of the late Frank Denius, a decorated World War II veteran and a long-standing supporter of the Longhorns, and his son, Wofford Denius.

University of Texas System Board of Regents Chairman Kevin Eltife acknowledged the contributions of head coach Steve Sarkisian, athletic director Chris Del Conte, and university President Jim Davis in enhancing the athletic department. Del Conte noted that the project addresses years of underinvestment in football facilities, a situation he said dated back to coach Darrell Royal’s tenure. He recalled Sarkisian inquiring during his hiring process whether the team indeed traveled about a mile to practice on yellow school buses. Del Conte emphasized that the goal is not merely to build the best, but to provide coaches and student-athletes with all necessary tools for success.

Wofford Denius initially expressed reservations about moving the practice fields from the historic Denius Fields. However, he became enthusiastic once he learned the new facility would be located near Memorial Stadium and Freshman Field, stating that Memorial Stadium was his home away from home for the first 22 years of his life. Coach Sarkisian and players Arch Manning and Trevor Goosby also spoke at the unveiling ceremony. Manning thanked the donors and university officials, acknowledging that it took a collective effort to make the project possible and expressing the team’s commitment to making them proud this year.

While this news focuses on a Texas institution, the dedication to athletic infrastructure mirrors the ongoing investments seen in collegiate sports programs across the country, including those in South Carolina. Institutions like the College of Charleston Cougars, The Citadel Bulldogs, and Charleston Southern University Buccaneers continually assess and upgrade their facilities to support student-athletes and maintain competitive programs within their respective conferences, such as the Coastal Athletic Association and the Big South Conference. These investments are crucial for recruiting top talent and fostering a strong athletic culture, much like the University of Texas aims to achieve with its new complex.