AUSTIN – The University of Texas and head coach Steve Sarkisian have agreed to a four-year contract extension, UT Lois and Richard Folger Vice President and Athletics Director Chris Del Conte announced Saturday. Sarkisian arrived in Texas in January 2021 and has just completed the third year of his six-year contract, a four-year extension that runs through 2030.
“Coach Sark is an incredible coach, a first-class person and a great leader,” said Kevin Eltife, chairman of the UT System Board of Regents. “We knew he was the man for the job when we hired him three years ago and the way he stuck to the plan he presented to us, stayed on course to make everything happen and getting our football program back to the top in the nation was phenomenal. What a year 2023 was, winning the last Big 12 Championship and leading us to the CFP for the first time, and we know the best is yet to come. Coach Sark has brought the pride and passion with him. We are very happy to have him back in our program and look forward to many more exciting years ahead.”
In three seasons at Texas, Sarkisian continually built the Longhorn football program, which returned to the nation's elite in a historic 2023 season. Sarkisian led the Horns to a 12-2 record, their first Big 12 championship since 2009 and their first-ever College Football Playoff appearance last season. Texas finished third in the Associated Press poll, its highest ranking in 15 years since No. 2 in 2009, and the Longhorns were ranked in the top 25 in both the AP and AFCA coaches' polls for 20 weeks behind each other. Texas' current streak of 15 consecutive weeks in the top 10 of any of these polls is the Horns' longest streak since 2009. The 12 wins this year marked just the fourth season with 12 or more wins in school history (2005, 2008). , 2009, 2023). That included seven straight wins en route to the CFP, UT's longest winning streak since 2009-10.
“What a great day it is that coach Sarkisian’s contract has been extended through 2030,” said UT President Jay Hartzell. “He has done a remarkable job rebuilding and taking our football program to new heights in three short years. But what makes me most proud is the leadership he has demonstrated and the impact it has had on our student-athletes. It shows in the culture he represents.” Our program and the wonderful way our student-athletes represent the university are ingrained in our program. We compete at the highest level with class, dignity and a Texas fight that was so much fun to watch the Longhorn Nation embrace. Coach Sark is authentic, a man of great integrity and a gifted developer of exceptional talent. I couldn’t be more grateful to have him as our coach.”
In 2023, Texas defeated four teams that finished the year ranked in the top 25 (Alabama, Oklahoma State, Kansas State, Kansas), including defeating No. 5 Alabama in Tuscaloosa (34-24) – scoring a Crimson Tide 21-game home winning streak (43 straight home winning streak against non-conference opponents). The Horns also faced 10 bowl game teams last season.
“First and foremost, we could not have done this without the incredible leadership of our Board of Regents Chairman Kevin Eltife and President Hartzell. “They play a critical role in everything we do and we are so grateful for their support of our athletic department,” Del Conte said. “What coach Sarkisian has done to return us to one of the premier football programs in the country has been great to see. Last year was a historic year and a joy to be a part of, but his unwavering commitment to building the foundation for a program designed for long-term success is also a critical factor. His leadership qualities, his ability to develop players and the way he and his staff get the best out of each athlete and the entire team are exceptional. He is all about the process, he brings great energy and passion every day and is committed to building a truly connected team. His tireless commitment to recruiting the best players to Texas is evident, and the relationships he builds with them are a key to his success. He also played a critical role in the revitalization of the Longhorn Nation and is an influential leader for us throughout athletics.
“When we go to the SEC next year, we will do so with a lot of momentum, a program we are very proud of and with a great head coach and leader. We knew Coach Sarkisian was the man for the job when we hired him, and he has proven that every step of the way. We couldn't be more excited about where we are and where we're going, and we're thrilled that Coach Sark will be our coach for a long time to come. “
As part of the Longhorns' memorable 2023 season, Sarkisian was named a finalist for the Bear Bryant, George Munger and Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year awards. He was also named Big 12 Coach of the Year by The Associated Press. The Longhorns were one of just five Power 5 programs to finish in the top 15 in offense (35.8 ppg) and defense (18.9 ppg), ranking 15th nationally in both. Sarkisian's versatile and balanced squad ranked ninth nationally in total offense (477.5 ypg), led the Big 12 in total defense (336.7 ypg/34th FBS) and was bolstered by one of the best special teams units in the country. Led by Outland Trophy winner and unanimous first-team All-American defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat, Texas ranked third nationally in rushing defense (82.4 ypg). The Longhorns' ground game, led by Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award finalist Jonathon Brooks with 1,139 yards in 11 games and three total defenders with 100-yard rushing games, ranked 24th in the FBS (188.4 ypg). Texas averaged 289.1 yards per passing game (17th/FBS). Seven Longhorns earned first-team All-Big 12 honors: Sweat was named the league's Defensive Player of the Year, defensive tackle Byron Murphy II was named Defensive Lineman of the Year, wide receiver Adonai Mitchell was named Offensive Newcomer of the Year and linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. was named Defensive Freshman of the Year.
Sarkisian has completely transformed the Texas roster in his three seasons, and the future continues to look bright as he finished in the top five players in each of the last two signing classes.
“I said it when I came here three years ago that this was a dream job for me. It’s a destination job and I’m excited every day to be the head coach at the University of Texas,” Sarkisian said. “We are excited about what we have been able to achieve and proud of the culture we have built and the way our players have developed – on and off the field. But we're just getting started. I said it.’ All along, we’ve been building this program for long-term success. We are here to achieve great things, win championships and be among the best in the country year after year. And we are so fortunate to have a great group of players, a great staff, an incredibly supportive administration and the power of the Longhorn Nation behind us to help us do this. I cannot thank CDC, President Hartzell and Chairman Eltife enough for their commitment to our mission from day one, and I am grateful for their continued support.”
Sarkisian has steadily built the foundation and established a culture in a program that had won eight regular-season games just twice (2012, 2018) and suffered four losing seasons in the 11 years prior to his arrival in 2022. After a 5-7 mark in its first year, Texas improved to 8-5 in 2022 before the Horns climbed back into the nation's elite last season for the first time in a decade and a half. The eight wins in 2022 marked at the time only the second time in nine years (the fourth time in 14 years) that Texas had eight wins in the regular season. All five losses this year have been by seven points or less. This team was led by a balanced attack that averaged 34.5 points per game (25th FBS) while allowing just 21.6 points per game (28th FBS). Running back Bijan Robinson led the way, earning unanimous All-America First Team honors and the Doak Walker Award as the nation's top running back. Four Longhorns were named to the first-team All-Big 12 in 2022. A year after no Texas players were selected in the 2022 NFL Draft, five Longhorns were selected in the 2023 draft and a total of seven NFL rosters were made last year.
Sarkisian enters his fourth year at Texas with a 25-14 record, including a 20-7 record over the last two seasons. Texas' eight Big 12 regular-season wins last season were its most since 2009. In 10 years as head coach, he has a 71-49 record, including seven bowl bids.