Texas AD Chris Del Conte blasts Steve Sarkisian, NFL links ahead of Cotton Bowl

On Sunday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter named Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian as a serious candidate to receive inquiries from NFL teams searching for a new head coach this offseason. With Texas only four days away from facing off against Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl, Longhorns athletic director Chris Del Conte wasn’t interested in discussing hypotheticals.

“We’ve got a game to play,” Del Conte told the Houston Chronicle. “I’m not going to comment. Somebody’s just creating fodder before our biggest game. That’s stupid.”

Sarkisian’s experience is mostly limited to the collegiate level. However, he served as the Oakland Raiders’ quarterbacks coach in 2004 and was the Atlanta Falcons’ offensive coordinator in the 2017 and 2018 seasons.

Sarkisian’s time in Atlanta wasn’t successful. After Sarkisian took over play-calling duties, the Falcons’ offensive output dropped from 33.8 points per game (leading the NFL in 2016) to 22.1 points per game in 2017. In 2018, the offense’s scoring improved to 25.9 points per game. Alas, the organization fired Sarkisian on Dec. 31, 2018.

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Sarkisian returned to the collegiate scene after the Falcons fired him and has been successful ever since. Sarkisian’s success has reached new levels this season, as he’s led the Longhorns to their second-straight appearance in the College Football Playoff.

Now, Texas will look to defeat Ohio State and reach the national championship for the first time in the CFP era. The two teams will square off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday. The game will air live on ESPN.

Arch Manning announces return to Texas next season

Arch Manning isn’t going anywhere. On Monday, the Texas quarterback squashed any rumors that he plans on entering the transfer portal after this season ends.

“I really have no plans on entering the portal or anything,” Manning said.

Manning’s statement is a massive weight off Texas fans’ shoulders. There have been rumors about Manning’s plans this offseason, particularly as QB1 Quinn Ewers has looked more and more likely to return for another season.

Entering the season, Ewers was projected to be a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, after inconsistent play and injury issues, Ewers’ draft stock has slipped. Many fans believed that if Ewers opted to return next season, Manning would move on from the program. Now, that appears to not be the case.

While Manning has still served as the Longhorns’ backup QB this season, he’s had far more opportunities to shine than he did in his true freshman campaign. Manning has completed 67.8% of his pass attempts for 939 yards and nine touchdowns this season while only throwing two interceptions.

Manning’s arm isn’t his only weapon. He’s also amassed 100 yards and four touchdowns in the ground games this season.