Steve Sarkisian reportedly signs extension to stay in Texas after turning down NFL interest

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian will stay with the Longhorns long-term. Sarkisian agreed to a contract extension that keeps him in Texas through 2031, according to multiple reports.

The 50-year-old head coach reportedly received interest from NFL teams, but chose to maintain his commitment to Texas instead of joining the pros. The seven-year deal adds one year to his previous contract extension, which he signed last February and which paid him $10.6 million per year.

The new extension would include an increase to an already lucrative deal, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Sarkisian was already the third-highest paid coach in the sport, behind Clemson’s Dabo Swinney and Georgia’s Kirby Smart.

Sarkisian apparently confirmed the extension Friday in a social media post, writing “Hook’em” over a photo of the coach posing with Texas AD Chris Del Conte and president Kevin Eltife.

Since becoming Texas’ head coach in 2021, Sarkisian has led the Longhorns to a 38-17 record in four seasons, winning the Big 12 title in 2023 and qualifying for the College Football Playoff. This season, Texas went 13-3, earning a fifth seed in the first year of the expanded 12-team playoff. The Longhorns posted solid wins over No. 12 Clemson and No. 4 Arizona State in the first two rounds, but fell to Ohio State in the CFP semifinals. This was the team’s second consecutive loss in the national semifinals.