Steve Sarkisian, Texas reach agreement on contract extension

Texas and head football coach Steve Sarkisian have inked a four-year contract extension to keep him Austin for the foreseeable future. The new deal extends Sark through the 2030 season, per release.

The move comes as speculation swirled that Sarkisian, who was previously the Alabama offensive coordinator, could be a prime candidate to fill the head coaching vacancy in Tuscaloosa following Nick Saban’s retirement. The Crimson Tide have since hired Washington’s Kalen DeBoer for the role.

Sarkisian just finished the third year of his initial six-year, $34.2 million contract. He made $5.6 million for 2023, prior to bonuses — like for winning the league and making the College Football Playoff — kicking in.

Sarkisian just piloted Texas to its most successful season in a decade, going 12-2 and winning the Big 12 on the way to a berth in the Sugar Bowl for the CFP. It was a notable step forward from his previous two seasons, a 5-7 and then 8-5 campaign. Overall, Sarkisian has gone 25-14 during his span as the head coach in Austin.

He also hinted at something amid the rumors he might be leaving. As it was reported Texas was also in the works with Sarkisian to extend his deal, the head coach shared a somewhat cryptic post on social media, as did his wife, Loreal.

#hookem #allgasnobrakes 🤘🏽 pic.twitter.com/EVa3Cm80ME

— Steve Sarkisian (@CoachSark) January 12, 2024

TEXAS 🤘🏾🧡

— Loreal Sarkisian (@LorealSarkisian) January 12, 2024

Steve Sarkisian shared a photo that said “It’s a Great Day to be a Longhorn!!” with a “Hook ‘Em” emoji. Shortly after that, Loreal Sarkisian posted “TEXAS” with a Hook ‘Em and an orange heart. Those come as Alabama wraps up the first full day of its search to replace Saban after he announced his retirement on Wednesday.