Steve Sarkisian, Texas Agree to 4-Year Contract Extension After Alabama Rumors

The University of Texas announced that it has agreed on a four-year contract extension with football head coach Steve Sarkisian.

His current deal now runs through the 2030 season. Sarkisian initially joined Texas on a six-year, $34.2 million contract in 2021.

The 49-year-old just led the Longhorns to a Big 12 title and a College Football Playoff semifinal appearance.

Texas fell 37-31 to No. 2 Washington in the semis but enjoyed a great season that included a 12-2 record and a road victory over eventual SEC champion and CFP participant Alabama.

Sarkisian, who served as Alabama's offensive coordinator in 2019 and 2020, was naturally tied to the Crimson Tide's head coaching job after news of Nick Saban's retirement. However, Sarkisian seemingly squashed that talk on Thursday evening.

Texas football then posted this video, further confirming Sarkisian sticking in Austin.

The Tide ended up rolling with Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer, who was officially introduced as Alabama's head coach on Saturday.

As for Sarkisian, he's got enough on his plate in Austin. The race for the national championship could be wide open next year, and the return of quarterback Quinn Ewers to the mix should help the Longhorns stay competitive. It's certainly possible the Longhorns win their first national title since 2005.

Texas is moving to a tougher conference, though, in the SEC, which will welcome both the Longhorns and the rival Oklahoma Sooners in the mix next season. Alabama isn't on the Texas schedule for the 2024 campaign, although it's conceivable the two meet in the SEC Championship or even the College Football Playoff.

For now, though, we know that Sarkisian should be sticking around town for a while as the Longhorns look to build off a great 2023 season.