Steve Sarkisian might be looking beyond Texas. But his representation is saying otherwise.
The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported Saturday that representatives for the Longhorns head coach “have let NFL decision makers know that he would be interested in potential head coaching openings.”
The Titans, who have a head coach opening after firing Brian Callahan earlier this month, were named specifically by Russini.
However, hours after The Athletic’s report, Sarkisian’s agents at Creative Artists Agency put out a statement, denying that the coach has any thoughts of making a jump to the pros.
“Any reports regarding communications on coaching opportunities with NFL teams are patently false and wildly inaccurate. Sark is solely focused on coaching the University of Texas football team,” wrote Jimmy Sexton and Ed Marynowitz.
Sarkisian is no stranger to the NFL.
In 2004, Sarkisian served as the Raiders’ quarterbacks coach under head coach Norv Turner.
He returned to the NFL in 2017, serving as the Falcons’ offensive coordinator for two seasons before leaving for Alabama to become the quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator there.
In four-plus seasons as Texas’ head coach, Sarkisian has gone 42-19, although the Longhorns have fallen short of an elusive national title.
Overall, he’s gone 88-54 as a head coach at the college level with stints at Washington and USC in addition to Texas.
The Longhorns are now in the midst of an underwhelming campaign after coming into the year as the No. 1-ranked team in the country, going 5-2 with losses to Ohio State and Florida heading into their matchup against Mississippi State on Saturday.
Sarkisian’s offense, in particular, has struggled, averaging 368.3 total yards per game, which is 78th in college football.
Earlier this year, Sarkisian got a new deal from Texas that extended his contract through the 2031 season and raised his salary this year from $10.4 million to $10.8 million.
At the time, Sarkisian had reportedly declined interviews with two NFL teams and did not formally meet with any team to stay in Texas.
“The fact Sarkisian didn’t take any NFL interviews shows his buy-in and commitment to the University of Texas,” a source told the Action Network in January.
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