Breaking: Former Pac-12 Coach Steve Sarkisian Expected To Be Hired By Texas

Sarkisian won the 2020 Broyles Award, which honors college football’s top assistant coach.

This Just In: Texas has fired head coach Tom Herman after four seasons with the Longhorns. Texas AD Chris Del Conte released a statement via Twitter confirming the news. 

https://t.co/w0BcDoAJXM pic.twitter.com/fqLa3dr1E0

— Chris Del Conte (@_delconte) January 2, 2021

"Decisions like this are very, very difficult and certainly not something I take lightly," Del Conte wrote in his statement. "As I’ve said before, my philosophy is to wait until the end of the season to look at all of the factors in evaluating any of our programs. After much deliberation and a great deal of thought, as I looked back at the totality of where our football program is and in discussing its future, it became apparent that it was in the best interest of the University of Texas to one in a different direction.

I’m grateful for all Coach Herman has done and the hard work and dedication he and his staff have put in on behalf of our program and student-athletes. I thank him for all of his efforts and his service to our institution, and I wish him the best in the future.” (Del Conte)

This decision comes just weeks after the Texas AD went on the record saying that Herman would likely return as the head coach next year.

Per ESPN, "There's been a lot of speculation about the future of our football coach," Del Conte said in a statement. "My policy is to wait until the end of the season before evaluating and commenting on our program and coaches. With the close of the regular season, I want to reiterate that Tom Herman is our coach." (Del Conte)

 Herman went 32-18 in four seasons at Texas, including a 7-3 record this year.

So what's next for Texas football?

Sources have pinned Alabama offensive coordinator and former USC and Washington head coach Steve Sarkisian as the new face of the Longhorns' program.

If true, happy for Sark. He’s battled a lot on and off the field and I know for a fact has worked tirelessly to become not only a better coach but just a better person. Fight On brother! @CoachSark

— Matt Leinart (@MattLeinartQB) January 2, 2021

Am told that #Texas has been vetting Alabama OC Steve Sarkisian and has heard very positive reports about how he's handled himself since coming to Tuscaloosa. A potential hire of the Broyles Award could happen soon at UT.

— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) January 2, 2021

The Longhorns have zeroed in on Alabama OC Steve Sarkisian as his replacement and hope to finalize a deal with him soon, sources told @ClowESPN. https://t.co/GLgEgxp8YO

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) January 2, 2021

The Broyles award winner has had a stellar season with the Alabama Crimson Tide, leading one of the top offenses in the country. Despite a wild COVID-19 season, the Tide has had one of their best years yet holding a 12-0 record, No.1 CFB Playoff ranking, No.1 AP Top 25 Poll ranking, and Rose Bowl championship title.

SI BamaCentral reported earlier this month, "after reportedly turning down a chance to interview with Auburn for its vacant coaching job earlier this month and pulling his name out of the Colorado search a year ago, it appears Sarkisian wants to stay in Tuscaloosa and isn't ready to hop back into a head-coaching role just yet." 

However, if Texas does indeed hire Sarkisian, this could be one opportunity the former USC head coach couldn't pass up. 

BREAKING: Texas has hired Steve Sarkisian as head coach. The Longhorns confirmed the news via. Twitter. 

Welcome to the Forty Acres, @CoachSark!https://t.co/IRG92M501E pic.twitter.com/TEQENDjewv

— Texas Longhorns (@TexasLonghorns) January 2, 2021

*This article will be updated as more information comes in*

[READ: Steve Sarkisian Found His Groove In The South]

[READ: Sarkisian's Path To The Rose Bowl: From USC To Alabama]

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