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Texas Longhorns Head Coach Steve Sarkisian during their first practice of the spring season on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
Sources have reported that Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian had made himself available to NFL teams through his representatives, most notably with the Tennessee Titans’ opening. The Athletic’s Dianna Russini indicated representatives for Sarkisian had informed NFL decision-makers that he would be open to available head coaching opportunities, including the Tennessee Titans.
CAA representatives Jimmy Sexton and Ed Marynowitz released a statement refuting the rumor that Sarkisian’s staff had contacted pro teams, stating the rumor was “patently false and wildly inaccurate.” The release continues to confirm Sarkisian’s ongoing commitment to remaining the Longhorns’ coach.
Sarkisian signed an extension for the 2031 season in January, with his 2025 salary established at just under $11 million. He restored Texas as a national force, compiling a 43-19 record over five seasons and winning 25 games during the 2023 and 2024 seasons. The Longhorns appeared in back-to-back College Football Playoff semifinals, a span of consistent excellence the program hadn’t seen in over a decade.
A denial from Steve Sarkisian’s agents. It refers to a report that stated representatives of Sarkisian “have let NFL decision-makers know that he would be interested in potential head-coaching openings, including the Titans’.” https://t.co/QJVydPGdQr
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) October 25, 2025
Sarkisian’s Recent Success Makes NFL Speculation More Puzzling For Longhorns Faithful
The denial from Sexton and Marynowitz raises questions about where these reports originated. Sarkisian previously served as offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons in 2017 and 2018 after working as an analyst for Alabama during the 2016 season.
His NFL experience is limited to coordinator roles, having never held a head coaching position at the professional level. He also worked as quarterbacks coach for the Oakland Raiders in 2004 before returning to college football.
For a coach who has spent years rebuilding his reputation and career after personal struggles earlier in his coaching journey, leaving Texas now would be surprising. He has the program positioned exactly where he wants it, with resources that rival any in the country and recruiting momentum that keeps building.
Sarkisian is currently playing Mississippi State, with his team needing to stabilize after the Florida loss. The Longhorns are playing in Arch Manning’s first full season as starting quarterback, with Manning throwing for 1,449 yards and 12 touchdowns to five interceptions this year while rushing for 193 yards and five scores.
His agents made their position crystal clear. Whether the original report had any merit or was simply speculation, the message from Sarkisian’s camp could not be more direct. He is staying at Texas.