Longhorns Steve Sarkisian Lone CFP Coach Remaining Amid Jim Harbaugh Departure

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian is the only coach left among the four College Football Playoff teams

Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns were newcomers to the College Football Playoff in 2023. 

They also are the last team standing regarding returning production. 

USA TODAY

With Jim Harbaugh's departure from Michigan to the NFL Los Angeles Chargers, Sarkisian is the only head coach remaining at his respective program entering the 2024 season. Harbaugh, who guided the Wolverines to their first national title since 1997, inked a five-year contract to replace Brandon Staley in the AFC West on Wednesday night. 

Nick Saban, Sarkisian's former boss at Alabama and seven-time national champion winner, retired earlier this month after a loss to Michigan in the Rose Bowl. Kalen DeBoer, who led Washington to a College Football Playoff semifinal win over the Longhorns in the Sugar Bowl, replaced Saban in Tuscaloosa after posting a 25-3 record in two seasons with the Huskies. 

DeBoer was replaced by Arizona's Jedd Fisch while Wolverines offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore is the favorite to take over for Harbaugh. In Austin, Sarkisian is building for a run toward the postseason in 2024, but as members of the Southeastern Conference. 

Whether Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne actually considered the Longhorns' head coach, Sarkisian was always going to be linked to the Alabama opening due to his relationship with Saban. Sarkisian, 49, served as the Crimson Tide's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach when they finished 13-0 in 2020 and defeated Ohio State 52-24 in the College Football Playoff National Championship. 

He also guided the offense to back-to-back top-five scoring units in 2019 and 2020. Sarkisian was influential in the development of both quarterbacks Tua Tagoviloa and Mac Jones, who eventually became first-round picks in their respective classes. 

After leading the Longhorns to their first Big 12 title since 2009 and a College Football Playoff berth, Sarkisian was pegged as a favorite to replace Saban. Before conversations could even begin, the Texas football program posted to X a short video of Sarkisian with the caption, "Just getting started." Sarkisian posted the "Horns up" emoji in a response to the post.

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A day later, Sarkisian and Texas agreed to terms on a four-year contract extension with the program through 2030. 

Sarkisian and the Longhorns to return to Royal-Memorial Stadium to face Colorado State on Aug. 31.