Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns narrowly hung on for a 48-35 overtime victory against Mississippi State on Saturday. Following the win, the Longhorns are 6-2 on the season. According to PFSN’s playoff meter, Texas has a 15.34% chance of making the playoffs.
In his fifth season at Texas, Sarkisian has turned the Longhorns into one of the top winning programs in college football. However, before last night’s game, reports emerged linking the head coach with a coaching job in the NFL.
Steve Sarkisian Tempted By $93M Sudden Wealth
During the most recent episode of “CBS Sports College Football Network.” The panel discussed the potential of Sarkisian moving to the NFL. During this discussion, former Ohio State Buckeye Beanie Wells suggested one reason the Texas head coach would be tempted.
“You make a great point in terms of coaching getting exhausted with what they have to do. In this day and age, with NIL and the transfer portal. And how you have to recruit your own roster on a consistent basis. I know that’s not a job I’d want to.” Wells explained.
“You also have to think. Has Steve Sarkisian exhausted all options at the University of Texas? Do we believe that right now, this is the best Texas will get? Can they go out and legitimately win a national championship? They’ve been close.” Wells questioned.
Last year, the Longhorns made it all the way to the College Football semi-finals. However, they would ultimately end up falling to the Ohio State Buckeyes. Ryan Day’s team would go on to win the National Championship after defeating the Longhorns.
Sarkisian was hired in 2021 after winning the national championship with Alabama as an OC. Since then, according to 247 Sports statistics, the Longhorns have not finished outside the top 10 in a high school recruiting class under the head coach.
The Longhorns’ 2026 recruiting class is currently ranked No. 6 in the nation according to 247Sports rankings. According to a report from ESPN, Texas spent $22.2 million on its 2024 roster. The second-highest in the nation, behind the Oregon Ducks.
Meanwhile, Sarkisian signed a contract extension in 2024. The new deal extended Sarkisian’s contract by one year through the 2031 season. It raises his salary from $10.4 million to $10.8 million this year. His contract is worth up to $75.8 million going into 2031.
“It’s too time-consuming. But then you’re starting to look at where he just saw Curt Cignetti get a high-dollar raise. And he’s just maybe putting some feelers out there that he can go back to the University of Texas and say, if you want me here, pay me.”
Cignetti’s new contract will run for eight years, and he’ll collect an average of around $11.6 million per year. In total, he’ll make around $92.8 million throughout the duration of his new deal. This makes him the third-highest-paid head coach in College Football.
Following last night’s game, however, Sarkisian shot down the rumors of him potentially making the switch to the NFL. However, he also did not outright deny it. Earlier on in the GameDay, Sarkisian’s agent Jimmy Sexton, also released a statement denying the reports.
“I thought it was completely unprofessional of that person to put that report out. And the fact that everybody ran with it is borderline embarrassing for the media. The fact that everybody ran that as truth is really embarrassing.” Sarkisian ranted after the game.
“Any reports regarding communications on coaching opportunities with NFL teams are patently false and wildly inaccurate. Steve Sarkisian is solely focused on coaching the University of Texas football team.” The head coach’s agent, Sexton, also shared.
With the reported NFL rumors apparently put to rest, Sarkisian will focus on what matters most following tonight’s celebration. The Longhorns still have a long way to go to secure another playoff berth.
In the next four games, Texas will face three AP Top 25 teams: No. 10 Vanderbilt, a showdown with the Georgia Bulldogs, and a season-ending clash against No. 3, undefeated Texas A&M.
Day late and a dollar short writing this non-value add article.