Steve Sarkisian to Stay at Texas, Quashing Alabama Rumors

The Texas Longhorns football team is looking to build off its 2023 College Football Playoff berth.

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian is staying in Austin amid rumors he could be a candidate for the Alabama job following Nick Saban’s retirement. 

The Longhorns released a video on social media Friday morning touting Sarkisian’s remaining with the program as he looks to build upon Texas’s 12–2 record and College Football Playoff berth. The coach is also nearing a contract extension, according to 247 Sports.

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“I came here to win championships. That’s the goal,” Sarkisian said in the video. “We’re here to chase greatness, to win championships. This is the University of Texas, and people are going to want to be part of it.” 

Just getting started 🤘@CoachSark pic.twitter.com/YAh8mj8dTe

— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) January 12, 2024

In three seasons at Texas, Sarkisian has compiled a 25–14 record. This past season, the Longhorns won the Big 12 and defeated Alabama, 34–24, in their nonconference schedule. Texas lost in a CFP semifinal at the Sugar Bowl to Washington, 37–31. 

Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers announced this week that he will return for his third season with the program. Next season, Texas will join the SEC. 

Sarkisian, 49, wasn’t one of the three coaches reported to be the front-runners to succeed Saban. However, some observers considered him to be a natural fit for the job, having served as a Saban assistant for three years on the Alabama staff.

Sarkisian initially was hired by Saban as a Crimson Tide analyst, and he was named interim offensive coordinator when Lane Kiffin left to became Florida Atlantic’s head coach. After a season with the Atlanta Falcons, Sarkisian returned to Tuscaloosa as the offensive coordinator in 2019 and ’20. 

Sarkisian also previously served as head coach at Washington and USC.