Colt McCoy chosen as 2026 University of Texas commencement speaker for May 9 ceremony at DKR
A high-profile alum set for the University-Wide ceremony
Former Texas Longhorns quarterback Colt McCoy will deliver the University of Texas at Austin’s 2026 commencement address at the University-Wide Commencement Ceremony scheduled for Saturday, May 9, 2026. The university-wide event is set for 7 p.m. at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium, where graduates from across UT Austin’s colleges and schools are recognized collectively.
UT’s commencement week spans multiple ceremonies across campus. In addition to the stadium event, individual colleges and schools hold convocations in which graduates are recognized by name. The university-wide ceremony includes remarks from university leadership and student leadership, the featured commencement address, and the official conferral of degrees by the university president.
What the university-wide ceremony is—and what it is not
UT Austin distinguishes between college or school convocations and the university-wide commencement. Convocations are where graduates cross the stage and names are read, while the university-wide ceremony is a consolidated event bringing together graduates from the entire institution. Guest tickets are not required for the university-wide ceremony at the stadium, though some convocations use ticketing and capacity controls depending on venue and program needs.
Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026
University-Wide Commencement time and venue: 7 p.m., Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium
Format: University leadership remarks, student body remarks, commencement address, degree conferral
Why McCoy’s selection matters to UT’s public-facing moment
Commencement speakers are one of the most visible choices the university makes each year, reflecting both institutional values and a message intended for a broad audience that includes graduates, families, alumni, and the Austin community. Selecting McCoy places a nationally known athletics figure—closely identified with UT’s modern football era—at the center of a ceremony designed to represent the full scope of the university.
McCoy’s connection to UT is rooted in his playing career and longstanding public identity tied to the Longhorns. UT Athletics has previously documented his collegiate achievements and the retirement of his No. 12 jersey, positioning him among the program’s most decorated players. Beyond athletics, his post-playing career has kept him in public life, including work connected to higher education governance in Texas.
Career context: from college star to NFL veteran
After his college career at Texas, McCoy was drafted into the NFL and played multiple seasons as a professional quarterback, primarily in a backup and spot-start role. He later announced his retirement from professional football in 2024, closing a chapter that spanned more than a decade in the league.
The May 9 commencement weekend is expected to draw large crowds to campus and surrounding areas, as multiple convocations and related events occur across several days leading up to the university-wide ceremony.
UT has indicated that commencement planning information—including logistics related to arrivals, accessibility, and campus operations—will continue to be updated as the ceremony date approaches.