Report: Texas, Sarkisian agree to contract extension despite interest from NFL teams

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian has signed a contract extension to remain in Austin, per Brett McMurphy of Action Network. Reports of the new deal include an extra year being added to his existing contract, inking Sarkisian on the 40 Acres through 2031. The news of the extension comes after rumors surfaced regarding NFL teams requesting interviews with Sarkisian, which he also reportedly declined.

Through four seasons at Texas, Sarkisian has amassed a 38-17 record, won a Big 12 Championship and taken the Longhorns to back-to-back College Football Playoff Semifinal appearances. Sarkisian signed a four-year extension in January, 2024, which kept him in Austin through 2030. That extension and pay raise increased his salary to $10.3 million with incremental increases of $100,000 annually built-in. He also has financial incentives for postseason achievements.

While details of the new extension are unknown at this time, Sarkisian will remain as one of the highest paid coaches in college football. In 2024 only Georgia head coach Kirby Smart ($13,282,580) and Clemson’s Dabo Swinney ($11,132,775) earned more than Sarkisian.

UT System Board of Regents Chair Kevin Eltife and University of Texas Vice President and Lois and Richard Folger Athletics Director Chris Del Conte celebrated the extension with a photograph of Sarkisian on Sunday afternoon.