Steve Sarkisian has officially silenced the NFL rumors—but is his latest move even bigger than a coaching offer from the pros?
Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian just delivered one of the most dominant seasons in program history, winning 13 games—a feat achieved only twice before. Though their playoff dreams were crushed in a 28-14 loss to Ohio State, Sarkisian’s squad fought through a gauntlet of elite opponents, earning him massive recognition in the college football world.
But success comes at a price. When a coach starts stacking up wins like this, the NFL comes knocking. And with Sarkisian’s past experience in the pros—stints with the Oakland Raiders and Atlanta Falcons—the speculation practically wrote itself. Was he destined to follow the trail of elite college coaches who made the leap to the big leagues? Would he chase the bright lights, bigger paychecks, and Super Bowl dreams?
Well, Sarkisian just dropped the hammer on that narrative—and his answer is shocking for more than one reason.
Sarkisian’s NFL Decision: The Money, the Mission, and the Mega-Extension
Let’s be real—college football is a business. The moment a coach starts winning big, offers start rolling in. Sarkisian is no exception. With his stock soaring, the NFL was keeping tabs, and a lucrative move seemed inevitable. But when he finally addressed the speculation on Up and Adams, he didn’t just shut down the rumors—he made a statement.
“I really think I have the best job in America,” Sarkisian said with conviction.
And he has 81.6 million reasons to back that up.
That’s the staggering contract extension Texas handed him, locking him in through 2030. Texas boosters weren’t about to let their star coach be lured away by an NFL payday. They upped the ante, ensuring Sarkisian wouldn’t just stay, but stay for good.
It wasn’t always this way. When Sarkisian arrived in 2021, Texas was in shambles—5-7 record, a six-game losing streak, no draft picks, and fading relevance. Fast forward three seasons, and he’s led the Longhorns to national prominence, produced NFL-caliber talent, and built a team that looks ready to break through the semifinal curse.
So the NFL? Yeah, it could wait. Sarkisian isn’t just staying at Texas—he’s making power moves.
Why Sarkisian Just Made an Unprecedented Decision
If you thought Sarkisian’s commitment to Texas ended with his contract extension, think again. He’s not just staying put—he’s changing the game.
In a jaw-dropping move, Sarkisian announced that Texas will NOT play a Spring Game in 2025. This is huge. The Spring Game is a tradition—a chance to showcase talent, hype up the fanbase, and put the team under the spotlight before fall. But Sark? He’s throwing the playbook out the window.
Why? Because Texas isn’t just another program anymore. They’re playing a different game.
Sarkisian explained it himself:
“Over the last two years, we played 30 games. That’s a lot for college football. 14 two years ago. 16 this year.”
That’s unprecedented workload. Texas has pushed itself harder than any team in program history, and Sarkisian knows that if they’re going to keep up this breakneck pace, they need a smarter approach.
Instead of a Spring Game, Texas will shift to an NFL-style team development period, focusing on organized training activities (OTAs). It’s a pro-level approach, emphasizing player development and strategic conditioning over flashy exhibitions.
And it’s not just about managing exhaustion. The NIL era has changed everything, and Sarkisian knows it. Spring Games aren’t just showcases for fans anymore—they’re a poacher’s paradise. With top-tier talent on display, rival programs (and deep-pocketed boosters) have a golden opportunity to snatch players through the transfer portal.
Sound crazy? It’s already happening.
Nebraska’s head coach Matt Rhule openly admitted he was ditching the Spring Game for that exact reason. With the NIL-driven transfer frenzy at full tilt, the last thing Texas needs is to roll out its best players for predatory recruiters to scout like a shopping mall.
In other words, Sarkisian is playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers.
Texas is All-In on 2025—And the Stakes Have Never Been Higher
With Sarkisian’s future secure and his program evolving at warp speed, the biggest question now is: What’s next?
For Texas, it’s win or bust. They’ve built the roster, locked down the coach, and revolutionized their development strategy. The one thing missing? A championship.
Sarkisian knows the pressure is on. The Longhorns will enter the 2025 season with sky-high expectations, and all eyes will be on one name in particular: Arch Manning.
Will the quarterback prodigy finally step into the spotlight and lead Texas to glory? Will Sarkisian’s radical strategy pay off in the ultimate way?
One thing is certain: Steve Sarkisian isn’t chasing the NFL dream—he’s building his own dynasty in Texas.
