It wasn’t just Texas, large parts of Mexico were revolting against Santa Ana as well.
Santa Ana was your typical idiot megalomaniac who pretty much destroyed Mexico, first by abolishing the Mexican Constitution which ignited the revolt that resulted in him losing Texas. Then he started a war with the United States which cost him New Mexico, Arizona, and California.
He thought of himself as “the Napolean of the west”, but his competence was more like “the mall cop of Mexico.”
His heavy-handed execution of POWs alienated his generals, and all Sam Houston had to do was wait for one of Santa Ana’s typical bonehead mistakes.
Come to think of it, it is hardly surprising Time is on the side of Santa Ana, idiots, incompetents, and liars have to stick together.
Also worth noting that the Tejanos (previous Mexican citizens of Texas) were revolting right alongside the Texians (US Immigrants).
Santa Anna was amazingly resilient in Mexican politics. No matter how he screws up, how many times he undermines a Mexican government he’s soon back in the game of Mexican politics giving it one more try ! Other then Texas his biggest contribtion to American life is chewing gum - Chiclets !