AUSTIN, Texas — Representatives for Texas coach Steve Sarkisian have let NFL decision makers know he would be interested in potential head-coaching openings, including the Tennessee Titans, according to Diana Russini of The Athletic.
Russini posted the report on social media on Saturday at 9:05 am CT.
The Longhorns (5-2, 2-1 SEC) were scheduled to kick off at Mississippi State (4-3, 0-3 SEC) at 3:15 pm CT Saturday on SEC Network.
Sarkisian, who is represented by agent Jimmy Sexton, is in the second year of a contract extension that pays him $10.4 million this year with a $100,000 increase annually to $10.9 million through Dec. 31, 2030.
The Tennessee Titans fired head coach Brian Callahan on Oct. 13 after a 1-5 start following a 3-14 season in his first year as coach in 2024.
There is speculation about other NFL head coaches being on the hot seat, including Mike McDaniel, who has been the head coach of the Miami Dolphins since February of 2022 and has a record of 29-29 with a 1-6 start this season.
Sarkisian is in his fifth year as the head coach at Texas with a record of 43-19, including back-to-back College Football Playoff semifinal appearances in 2023 and 2024.
This season, the Longhorns and quarterback Arch Manning have struggled on offense, averaging just 16.8 points per game against Power Four competition.
Sarkisian is the offensive play caller and indicated on Monday he has no plans of giving up that role.
"That's why I got hired," Sarkisian said. "I was a really good offensive coordinator, so I just believe in what we're able to do."
Last week, in a 16-13 overtime win at Kentucky, Texas totaled just 179 yards and eight first downs.
"Every year, we have to continually evolve," Sarkisian said Monday. "There's years we're going to be better on offense than we are on defense. There's going to be years we're better on defense than we are on offense.
"But it's like if I was the best outside sales guy, and then I had a startup company, surely I'm going to go to the sales meetings if I'm trying to sell something, right? And so if that's one of your strengths, I'm always going to tap into the strength that I have. And I think, you know, being a play caller on offense is one of my strengths. Some may disagree. That's OK."
Manning, who is coming off a 12-of-27 (44%) passing performance at Kentucky, said Monday Sarkisian being the offensive play caller was "the reason I came here."
"Utmost faith in him," Manning said. "I mean, that's the reason I came here, just because of how smart he is calling plays. Have the utmost confidence in him, and we're just gonna keep going from here."