NFL rumors about Steve Sarkisian could be ‘stupid’ or Longhorns AD Chris Del Conte is putting his head in sand
Maybe it true, maybe it isn’t. Only Sarkisian’s agent, Jimmy Sexton, truly knows for sure.
Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte deals with agents every day and knows when they’re simply trying to shape narratives and stir things up for their clients.
That’s likely why he scoffed at Adam Schefter’s report Sunday that some NFL teams may express interest in Texas coach Steve Sarkisian this offseason.
“We’ve got a game to play,” Del Conte told the Houston Chronicle about the reports. “I’m not going to comment. Somebody’s just creating fodder before our biggest game. That’s stupid.”
Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t. Only Sarkisian’s agent, Jimmy Sexton, truly knows for sure.
Sexton has long been considered one of the best big-name agents in sports. He represents multiple star coaches like Georgia’s Kirby Smart and Ole Miss’ Lane Kiffin. Sexton also represented Nick Saban while he coached at Alabama.
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Del Conte also may not like being unable to control the situation and the narrative. A natural people-pleaser, Del Conte would prefer the media, fans and everyone focus on Texas’ upcoming blockbuster matchup with Ohio State in the College Football Playoffs semifinals.
For his part, Sarkisian has been consumed with Ohio State preparations.
“I think that's the one thing that jumps out when you watch (the film) is how confidently they’re playing,” Sarkisian said last Friday. “They’re definitely calling it aggressively, but the execution is at a really high level, so that's what jumps out at us.”
He’s spent an entire calendar year getting the Horns ready for this opportunity. Sarkisian spent time during the offseason talking whit NFL personnel about the rigors of a longer schedule. He emboldens sports science personnel to keep track of how the athletes are performing.
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And he’s been burning hot ever since Texas got to the College Football Playoffs last season and lost on the final play of the Washington game in the semifinals. The Horns are close to winning it all, and Sarkisian knows it.
After last season, Texas rewarded Sarkisian with a contract that pays him more than $10 million annually. He’s on track to earn eight figures every year going forward, and it’s all guaranteed.
Looking to 2025, it seems hard to fathom how a coach of his pedigree would up and leave before the start of the Arch Manning era. Sarkisian knows that Manning could be a superstar. He’d just leave Texas and leave his future to chance with an NFL roster with all kinds of hidden landmines? Hard to see that happening.
Even so, that’s not going to stop agents from stirring things up. That’s what agents do.
Good agents, like Sexton, are always looking out for their top clients.
Leaving for the NFL may be “stupid,” as Del Conte said. But when the NFL is talking about you, you must be doing something right.
