Coach Steve Sarkisian has officially resigned from his position as the head football coach at the University of Texas after four years, marking the end of his tenure following his highly publicized massive contract signing. This unexpected move has sent shockwaves through the college football world, with fans, analysts, and insiders questioning what led to his decision. Sarkisian, who was originally brought in to turn the Texas Longhorns program around, leaves behind a mixed legacy, with his resignation setting the stage for another chapter in the university’s storied football history.
In 2021, Sarkisian was hired as the Longhorns’ head coach with high hopes. The Texas athletic department had given him a substantial contract, reportedly worth around $34 million over six years, making him one of the highest-paid coaches in college football at the time. The expectation was that he would return the Longhorns to their former glory, taking a program that had struggled to meet expectations in recent years and leading them back to national prominence. However, despite some flashes of potential, Sarkisian’s time at Texas was marked by inconsistency, especially in the crucial moments of big games.
Under Sarkisian’s leadership, the Longhorns showed some improvement. Texas was able to recruit top-tier talent, including standout players like quarterback Quinn Ewers, and the offense showed moments of brilliance. However, the program was still plagued by critical mistakes and defensive issues, often losing games they were favored to win. The Longhorns’ inability to win crucial games against rivals, like Oklahoma, and their struggles to remain competitive in the Big 12 Conference only added to the growing pressure on Sarkisian.
The decision to resign comes at a time when the Texas Longhorns are facing significant changes. The team is on the verge of transitioning to the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in the coming seasons, a move that has been seen as a necessary step to remain competitive in the ever-evolving landscape of college football. With Texas joining the SEC, it was clear that the stakes for the program were rising, and the pressure on Sarkisian to deliver immediate results was growing exponentially.
While Sarkisian’s resignation is somewhat of a surprise, it also comes as a response to the mounting challenges and expectations. In his time at Texas, he was often under scrutiny for his inability to consistently develop a winning program and for the high-profile losses that seemed to define his tenure. The fact that he left after just four years is a reflection of how high the stakes were for him in Austin. Despite being granted a massive contract, he struggled to meet the lofty goals set for him, and now the university will have to move forward and find someone who can successfully guide the program into the future.
Sarkisian’s resignation also leaves the future of the Longhorns program in a state of uncertainty. With his departure, Texas is once again in search of a head coach who can reinvigorate the team and build a program capable of competing at the highest levels. The timing of his resignation is especially significant given the upcoming challenges Texas will face in the SEC. The Longhorns will need a coach who can navigate the intense competition and handle the increased pressure that comes with being part of one of the most dominant conferences in college football.
For Sarkisian, his resignation marks the end of a tumultuous chapter in his career. He came to Texas after a successful stint as the offensive coordinator at Alabama, where he worked under Nick Saban and helped develop one of the most dynamic offenses in college football. However, his head coaching journey had been marked by struggles, including a previous tenure at the University of Washington, which ended with a mixed record before moving on to Texas. Sarkisian will likely have opportunities to continue his coaching career in some capacity, but his tenure at Texas will always be remembered for the challenges he faced in trying to live up to the immense expectations placed on him.
In the end, Steve Sarkisian’s resignation represents both an end and a new beginning for the Texas Longhorns football program. As the university searches for a new leader, the pressure will be on to find someone who can finally turn the Longhorns into a perennial contender on the national stage. The resignation will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the program, but the question now remains: who will be the next head coach to guide Texas back to glory? Only time will tell.
