Steve Sarkisian’s reps deny report linking Texas Longhorns Coach to NFL interest

Despite rumors of NFL interest, Sarkisian’s camp insists the Texas coach remains focused on the Longhorns’ season and long-term future in Austin.

Nick Wright — College Football Writer
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Oct 25, 2025; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Jeff Lebby and Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian talk prior to the game at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
© Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Steve Sarkisian’s representatives have pushed back against a recent report suggesting the Texas head coach is exploring NFL opportunities.

Sarkisian is plenty familiar with coaching at the pro level. He spent the 2004 season as the Raiders’ quarterbacks coach under Norv Turner, then returned to the NFL in 2017 to serve as offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons. After two seasons in that role, he headed back to college football, joining Nick Saban’s staff at Alabama as quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator.

Now in his fifth season at Texas, Sarkisian holds a 42-19 record with the Longhorns. His overall head coaching mark across Washington, USC, and Texas sits at 88-54. The on-field product has been strong at times, but Texas has yet to capture the national championship that fans and boosters have long expected.

This season, the Longhorns are navigating uneven terrain. They entered the year ranked No. 1 in the country but have slipped to 5-2 with losses to Ohio State and Florida ahead of Saturday’s matchup with Mississippi State. The offense has been particularly inconsistent, producing just 368.3 total yards per game, which ranks 78th nationally.

Sarkisian remains well compensated for his work in Austin. Earlier this year, he signed a contract extension that runs through the 2031 season and raises his annual salary from $10.4 million to $10.8 million. The deal reaffirmed Texas’ confidence in his leadership and was viewed as a stabilizing move for a program looking to maintain continuity ahead of its SEC transition.

For now, that commitment appears firm. While rumors linking college coaches to the NFL often surface this time of year, Sarkisian’s camp insists his focus remains in Austin, where the challenge of salvaging a once-promising season now takes priority.

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