Texas Longhorns' Steve Sarkisian Finalist for Bear Bryant Coach of the Year Award

Texas Longhorns' Steve Sarkisian Finalist for Bear Bryant Coach of the Year Award

AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian is a finalist for the 2023 Bear Bryant Coach of the Year Award, per an announcement Thursday.

The award recognizes the winning coach “for contributions that make sport better for athletes & fans alike by demonstrating grit, integrity & a winning approach to coaching & life."

Here are the other finalists:

- David Braun, Northwestern 

- Jamey Chadwell, Liberty 

- Kalen DeBoer, Washington 

- Eliah Drinkwitz, Missouri 

- Rhett Lashlee, SMU 

- Mike Norvell, Florida State 

- Nick Saban, Alabama

Steve Sarkisian / © Jay Janner, Austin American-Statesman

Sarkisian, 49, has led the Longhorns to a Big 12 title and an appearance in the College Football Playoff so far this season in just his third year at the helm. Texas went 5-7 during his first season in 2021 and then 8-5 in his second season last year. All five of those losses were one-score games, showing the Longhorns had improved but were still a step away headed into 2023. 

But while living up to and then exceeding expectations, Sarkisian has led Texas to its best season in nearly 15 years, as The Longhorns have a 12-1 record headed into the CFP Semifinal matchup with Washington at the Sugar Bowl on New Year's Day.

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The 12 victories are the most for the Longhorns since 2009 and marks the fourth season in program history with 12-plus wins (2005, 2008, 2009). The Longhorns' seven-game win streak is also the longest since 2008-09 (17 games).

Sarkisian and the Longhorns will kickoff from the Caesars Superdome against Washington on Monday, Jan. 1.