The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
UT and Sarkisian agree to four-year contract extension
01.13.2024 | Football
On the heels of a Big 12 Championship and first-ever College Football Playoff appearance in 2023, Sarkisian’s contract now runs through 2030.
AUSTIN — The University of Texas and Head Football Coach Steve Sarkisian have agreed on a four-year contract extension, UT VP and Lois and Richard Folger Athletics Director Chris Del Conte announced on Saturday. Sarkisian came to Texas in January 2021 and just completed the third year of a six-year contract, the four-year extension takes it to 2030.
"Coach Sark is an incredible coach, a first-class person, and a tremendous leader of men," 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 laid out for us, stayed the course in putting everything in place, and got our football program back among the best in the nation has been phenomenal. What a year it was in 2023, winning the final Big 12 Championship and taking 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 back in our program, we're so fortunate to have him, and we're looking forward to many more exciting years ahead."
In three seasons at Texas, Sarkisian has steadily built the Longhorn football program that 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 a first-ever College Football Playoff appearance last season. Texas earned a No. 3 final ranking in The Associated Press Poll, its highest finish in 15 years since earning the No. 2 spot in 2009, and the Longhorns have been ranked among the top-25 in both The AP and AFCA Coaches Poll for 20-straight weeks. Texas' current streak of 15 consecutive weeks in the top-10 of one of those polls is the Horns' longest stretch since 2009. The 12 victories on the year marked just the fourth 12 or more-win season in school history (2005, 2008, 2009, 2023). That included seven-straight wins heading into the CFP, UT's longest winning streak since 2009-10.
"What a great day it is to have Coach Sarkisian's contract extended to 2030," said Jay Hartzell, UT President. "He's done a remarkable job rebuilding and taking our football program back to great heights in three short years. But the things that make me most proud are the leadership he's brought and its impact on our student-athletes. This shows up in the culture he's built in our program and the wonderful ways our student-athletes represent the University. We are competing at the highest level with class, dignity, and a Texas Fight that has been so fun to see 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 in the top-25 (Alabama, Oklahoma State, Kansas State, Kansas), including knocking off No. 5 Alabama in Tuscaloosa (34-24) — snapping a 21-game Crimson Tide home winning streak (43-straight game home winning streak versus non-conference opponents). The Horns also faced 10 teams that played in bowl games last season.
"First and foremost, we couldn't have done this without the incredible leadership of the Chairman of our Board of Regents Kevin Eltife and President Hartzell. They play a critical role in everything we do, and we're so grateful for their support of our athletic department," said Del Conte. "What Coach Sarkisian has done in building us back into one of the nation's premier football programs has been awesome to watch. Last year was a historic one and a joy to be a part of, but the steadfast commitment he's made in establishing the foundation of a program built for long-term success is such a critical piece to this. His leadership, ability to develop players, and the way he and his staff get the best out of each and every student-athlete and the entire team is extraordinary. He's all about the process, brings great energy and passion every day and thrives on 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's also played a vital role in re-energizing Longhorn nation and is an impactful leader for us across all of athletics.
"As we head into the SEC next year, we're doing that with a great deal of momentum, a program we're extremely proud of and with a great head coach and leader. We knew that Coach Sarkisian was the man for the job when we hired him, and he's proven that each step of the way. We couldn't be more excited about where we are and where we're headed, and we're thrilled that Coach Sark will be our coach for a long time."
As a part of the Longhorns' memorable season in 2023, Sarkisian was named a finalist for the Bear Bryant, George Munger and Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year awards. He also was tabbed Big 12 Coach of the Year by The Associated Press. The Longhorns were one of only five Power-5 programs that ranked among the top 15 in scoring offense (35.8 ppg) and scoring defense (18.9 ppg), finishing 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 nation's top special team's units. 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, which was led by Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award finalist Jonathon Brooks' 1,139 yards in 11 games, and three total backs with 100-yard rushing games, ranked 24th in the FBS (188.4 ypg). Texas averaged 289.1 yards per game passing (17th/FBS). Seven Longhorns earned first-team All-Big 12 honors with Sweat voted the league's defensive player of the year, defensive tackle Byron Murphy II selected defensive lineman of the year, wide receiver Adonai Mitchell chosen offensive newcomer of the year, and linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. tabbed defensive freshman of the year.
Sarkisian has completely revamped the Texas roster in his three seasons, and the future continues to be bright with top-five recruiting rankings in each of the past two signing classes.
"I said it when I came here three years ago, this is a dream job for me. It's a destination job, and I'm fired up every day to be the head coach at The University of Texas," Sarkisian said. "We're thrilled with what we've been able to accomplish and proud of the culture we've built and the way our players have grown — on and off the field. But we're just getting started. I've said it all along, we've been building this program for long term success. We're here to chase greatness, win championships, and be one of the best in the nation year in and year out. And we're so lucky to have an awesome group of players, a great staff, an unbelievably supportive administration, and the power of Longhorn Nation behind us to help us do that. I can't thank CDC, President Hartzell and Chairman Eltife enough for their commitment to our mission from day one, and I'm grateful for their continued support."
Sarkisian has steadily built the foundation and established a culture in a program that had won eight games in the regular season just twice (2012, 2018) and had four losing seasons in the 11 years before he arrived in 2022. After a 5-7 mark in year one, Texas improved to 8-5 in 2022, before bringing the Horns back among the nation's elite last season for the first time in a decade and a half. The eight wins in 2022 at the time was just the second instance in nine years (fourth time in 14 years) that Texas registered eight victories in the regular season. All five losses that year came by seven points or fewer. That 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 first-team All-America honors and the Doak Walker Award as the nation's top running back. Four Longhorns were tabbed first-team All-Big 12 in 2022. One 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 made NFL rosters last year.
Sarkisian heads into year four with a 25-14 record Texas that includes a 20-7 mark the past two seasons. Texas' eight wins in Big 12 regular season action last season were the most since 2009. In 10 years as a head coach he is 71-49, which includes seven bowl bids.
