Steve Sarkisian will not be jumping to the NFL anytime soon. The University of Texas coach has agreed to a two-year contract extension to be the Longhorns coach. Sarkisian was rumored to be on Jerry Jones’ shortlist to take over the Dallas Cowboys.
Steve Sarkisian To Remain With the Texas Longhorns Amid NFL Rumors
After guiding the Texas Longhorns to the College Football Playoff in successive seasons, Sarkisian had gained traction as a popular name in the NFL coaching cycle. However, he’ll remain in Austin after signing a contract extension. The story was first reported by Action Network’s Brett McMurphy.
“Steve Sarkisian agrees to contract extension w/Texas after declining interviews w/2 NFL teams, sources said,” McMurphy wrote on Twitter. “UT Board of Regents chairman Kevin Eltife & AD Chris Del Conte were key figures in getting the deal done, source said. Sarkisian has led UT to consecutive College Football Playoff semifinal berths & double-digit win seasons for 1st time in 17 years.”
BREAKING: Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian has agreed to a contract extension after declining NFL interviews with 2 teams, @Brett_McMurphy reports🤘https://t.co/utfSzVIus2 pic.twitter.com/Lws5FTAKy4
— On3 (@On3sports) January 18, 2025
“The fact Sarkisian didn’t take any NFL interviews shows his buy-in & commitment to the University of Texas,” a source told McMurphy.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who has been reporting on the NFL head coach openings, reported that Sarkisian was rumored to be wanted by the Cowboys and several other clubs.
“Well I think there are a couple of teams that have some interest in speaking with Sark after the season ends,” Schefter said on January 9.
“So, if Texas were to lose this week, then that would free him him up to go do that if that’s what he wanted. And, if they win and go on and somehow find a way to win the national championship, I would think there might be even more teams that would be interested in talking.”
“It just looms out there as a possibility that I think there are some NFL teams that do have some level of interest and we’ll see what that translates into during this interview process with six NFL teams currently having head coach openings.”
After a difficult first season in Austin, where he posted a 5-7 record, Sarkisian has guided the Longhorns to winning campaigns in three successive seasons, compiling a 38-17 overall record with Texas.
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