Steve Sarkisian has reportedly agreed to extend his contract with Texas, silencing rumors of a potential NFL move.
The news all but cements Arch Manning’s status as the No. 1 Longhorns quarterback for next season with Quinn Ewers intending to enter the 2025 NFL Draft. Sarkisian declined interviews with two NFL teams before deciding his Texas future, per Action Network’s Brett McMurphy.
“The fact Sarkisian didn’t take any NFL interviews shows his buy-in & commitment to the University of Texas,” a source told McMurphy. Texas Board of Regents chairman Kevin Eltife and athletic director Chris Del Conte are said to have played a crucial role in getting Sarkisian to commit his future to the program.
The new seven-year deal adds another year to Sarkisian’s current contract and includes a significant raise, ensuring the 50-year-old remains one of the highest-paid coaches in sport, ESPN’s Pete Thamel has reported.
Texas ended the 2024 season with a 13-3 record. The Longhorns entered the College Football Playoffs as the No. 3 seed after losing the SEC Championship game to Georgia.
Then, they dispatched Clemson and Arizona State in the first two CFP rounds. Texas missed out on a spot in the National Championship game with a 28-14 semifinal loss to Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl. The Buckeyes will battle Notre Dame for the title on Monday, January 20.
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Sarkisian was preparing Manning for the starting QB role throughout his redshirt freshman season. The 19-year-old appeared in 10 games during the 2024 campaign, mostly as a change-of-pace move or to give Ewers a breather.
He also started three games as the Texas junior dealt with an oblique injury. Manning ended the season with 939 passing yards, nine touchdowns, and two interceptions on 90 pass attempts, boasting a 68 percent completion.
He added 108 yards and four touchdowns in the run game.
Ewers announced his plan to declare for the NFL Draft earlier this week, foregoing his remaining eligibility. The 21-year-old quarterback is said to have rejected a $6 million offer from an unnamed school to prolong his college career if he entered the transfer portal.
“These past three years have been some of the best years I could’ve imagined,” Ewers said in a social media video. “I’m truly thankful for the opportunity to play football in my home state at the best university in the world. With prayer and careful consideration, I’m officially declaring for the NFL Draft.”