Following a losing first season and an 8-5 second season, Texas head football coach Steve Sarkisian guided the Longhorns to a Big 12 Championship, a spot in the College Football Playoff and a final ranking of No. 3 in the AP Top-25 Poll in his third season in Austin. On Saturday he was rewarded by the University of Texas for the fruits of his labor with a four-year contract extension that now takes his contract through 2030.
“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.”
While the terms of Sarkisian’s new extension aren’t publicly available yet, he likely is receiving a massive pay raise on his current $5.6 million salary. The Longhorns are officially headed to the Southeastern Conference in July and they will likely have one of the highest paid coaches in the SEC when they do.
“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,” said Texas Athletic Director Chris Del Conte.
Sarkisian was named Big 12 Coach of the Year by the Associated Press and was named a finalist for the Bear Bryant, George Munger and Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year awards.
“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.”
