Steve Sarkisian: Texas coach denies departure amid swirling rumors

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said this week he is not leaving the Longhorns, pushing back on talk that he might be considering a move.

Sarkisian said the rumors are “absolutely false and untrue,” calling the claims unfair to the team and school. He said he normally does not respond to speculation but felt he needed to make his position clear.

The Longhorns came into the season ranked No. 1 but now sit at No. 17 in the College Football Playoff rankings after three losses. As the team slides in the rankings, talk about the future of the program has grown.

The questions grew louder when former Heisman winner Desmond Howard posted a video on social media saying he believed Texas and Sarkisian could reach “a mutual parting” at the end of the season.

Howard’s video spread across X, and Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte added to the conversation when he reposted it with the note, “This is news to me.” Sarkisian said that he had not spoken with Del Conte about any possible change and said he does not believe anything has changed about his standing with the university.

Sarkisian said he has “had no discussions,” saying that neither his agent, the school, any other program nor any NFL team has reached out about him making a move.

He repeated that message several times and added that he came to Texas “to win championships,” not to look for another place to coach.

Last month, Sarkisian signed a contract extension through 2031. The deal raised his salary to $10.8 million this season.

He said the agreement should show his commitment to the school and his interest in leading the program long-term. He also noted that two of his children now attend Texas, and one more may attend next year, adding another layer of stability.

Sarkisian also has NFL experience. He served as the offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons in 2017 and 2018 and worked as the quarterbacks coach for the Oakland Raiders in 2004.

Those roles have linked him to ongoing speculation that he could return to the league at some point, but he said this week that no such move is happening.

The coach said he wants the Longhorns to stay focused on the season rather than outside talk. He added that he understands how rumors can impact players and families, and that this is why he decided to address them directly rather than ignore them. He said he wants the message to be clear going into the final stretch of the year.

The speculation comes during a year when Texas football faces pressure as it prepares for its move to the SEC next season. Sarkisian said that growth inside the program is ongoing and that he remains committed to guiding Texas through the transition.

Sarkisian added that his loyalty to the school has not changed. While the Longhorns have struggled in recent weeks, he said the program’s goals remain the same.

He said he is invested in the long-term vision that he has worked to build and is not interested in starting over somewhere else.

Sarkisian looks to settle uncertainty

The coach said it is important for recruits, current players and families to hear directly from him. By dismissing the rumors, he said he hopes to settle any unease that may have developed inside the program.

The Longhorns will continue their late-season push with the hope of improving their ranking before the postseason.

Sarkisian said the players remain committed and that he values the culture they have built.

He said he understands why questions arise when a top-ranked team faces setbacks, but the main message is that he is staying with Texas and does not plan to leave.

The coach ended his comments by repeating that he is not having any conversations about a new job and that any report suggesting otherwise is not correct.

He said the best way to stop such talk is to make his stance known and let the team return its focus to the field.

Key takeaways

• Steve Sarkisian says rumors about him leaving Texas are “false and untrue.”

• Texas signed Sarkisian to a contract extension through 2031 earlier this fall.

• Sarkisian says he has had no discussions with any school or NFL team.