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Will Steve Sarkisian be the head football coach at the University of Texas in 2026? It’s a question being asked by many throughout the sport.
Speculation swirls about a pending departure. College Gameday host Desmond Howard stirred the pot after a recent loss to Georgia.
The Longhorns are 7-3 through 10 games. National title hopes are on life support. A 25-point setback at the hands of the Bulldogs has all but removed the team from playoff contention.
The struggles have caused uncertainty in Austin. Rumors surrounding the head coach’s future are circulating on social media.
Will Steve Sarkisian coach at Texas next year?
Late last month, he was rumored to be looking at NFL opportunities. Dianna Russini of The Athletic said the following on those whispers in October.
I’m told that representatives for Texas coach Steve Sarkisian have let NFL decision makers know that he would be interested in potential head coaching openings, including the Titans’.
That report came amid a four-game Texas winning streak. Now, the narrative has changed. He no longer holds the power. The script has flipped to a potential firing, or at least a “mutual parting of ways.”
“Don’t be surprised if that Texas job opens up at the end of the season,” Howard said in an Instagram post. “You guys were shocked when LSU opened up. Imagine how you’re going to feel if that job in Austin pops open.
“I’m not calling or saying anyone’s going to get fired. Maybe a mutual parting of ways, you dig?”
Would the Longhorns make a move?
It would prove costly. Sarkisian’s buyout is massive. The coach is reportedly owed 85% of his remaining contract.
At this point, he is still owed around $70 million on his deal. That means the buyout would come in just under $60 million.
On the flip side, the coach would owe $10 million to the university if he left today. That number dips to $6 million come January 2026.
Money has not been a deterrent to programs when firing coaches. Brian Kelly was dropped by LSU to the tune of $53 million. James Franklin was let go with a buyout price of $48 million, though that number has since been reduced to $9 million.
Texas has the money to part ways. According to Steve Sarkisian’s boss, though, a firing is not on the table.
“This is news to me… Thanks for the insight,” athletic director Chris Del Conte responded to Desmond Howard’s insinuation.
Del Conte rejected the narrative currently being pushed. At this point in time, he fully intends for Sarkisian to be leading the program in 2026.