What Is 1938 Texas Longhorns football team

Overview

The 1938 Texas Longhorns football team represented the University of Texas at Austin during the 1938 college football season, marking the sixth year under head coach Dana X. Bible. Competing in the Southwest Conference (SWC), the team showed moderate success with a 6–4 overall record and a strong 4–1 conference performance.

Playing their home games at Memorial Stadium in Austin, the Longhorns demonstrated resilience and offensive capability, outscoring their opponents 139 to 91 over the course of ten games. Though they did not participate in a bowl game, the 1938 season laid groundwork for future success under Bible’s leadership.

• Season record: The team finished with a 6–4 overall record, including a 4–1 mark in Southwest Conference play.
• Head coach: Dana X. Bible was in his sixth season leading the Longhorns, having taken over in 1934 after a successful stint at LSU.
• Home stadium: Memorial Stadium in Austin, which opened in 1924, served as the team’s home field with a capacity of approximately 27,000 at the time.
• Scoring output: The Longhorns scored a total of 139 points during the season while allowing 91, reflecting a +48 point differential.
• Key games: A notable 7–0 shutout victory over rival Texas A&M in College Station stood out as a highlight of the season.

How It Works

The 1938 season operated under the standard college football structure of the era, with a mix of non-conference and conference matchups leading up to Thanksgiving rivalry games. Teams competed for Southwest Conference supremacy, though no formal championship game existed.

• Season structure: The Longhorns played a 10-game schedule, typical for the era, with games running from September to November.
• Scoring system: In 1938, touchdowns were worth 6 points, field goals 3, and extra points 1, with no two-point conversions yet introduced.
• Coaching strategy: Dana X. Bible emphasized disciplined, ground-oriented offenses and strong defensive fundamentals, hallmarks of his coaching style.
• Player eligibility: Athletes had four years of eligibility, and freshmen were allowed to play varsity football starting in 1937.
• Game rules: The game used a 15-minute quarters format, with two 10-minute halves, and forward passing was legal but less dominant than running plays.
• Conference alignment: The Southwest Conference included eight teams in 1938, including Texas, Texas A&M, Baylor, and SMU.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 1938 Texas Longhorns compared to other Southwest Conference teams that season:

SMU emerged as the top team in the SWC with an 8–2 record and a 5–1 conference mark, while Texas finished near the top with a 4–1 SWC record. The Longhorns’ defense ranked among the best in the conference, allowing only 9.1 points per game. Their victory over Texas A&M gave them a key edge in the rivalry series, and the season demonstrated steady progress under Bible’s leadership.

Why It Matters

The 1938 season was a transitional year that helped solidify Dana X. Bible’s reputation as a foundational coach in Texas football history. It contributed to the program’s growing regional prominence and set the stage for future Southwest Conference titles.

• Program development: The 1938 season helped build momentum toward Texas’ first conference championship under Bible in 1941.
• Historical context: This season occurred during a period when college football was becoming more organized and nationally recognized.
• Rivalry significance: The win over Texas A&M maintained Texas’ competitive edge in one of college football’s fiercest rivalries.
• Coaching legacy: Bible’s emphasis on discipline and fundamentals influenced future generations of Texas coaches.
• Stadium culture: Memorial Stadium continued to grow as a central hub for Austin sports and community events.
• Media coverage: Games were broadcast locally, increasing public engagement and fan loyalty across the state.

Though not a national powerhouse yet, the 1938 Texas Longhorns represented a program on the rise, blending competitive spirit with strategic coaching that would define the decades to come.