BREAKING NEWS: Steve Sarkisian Named NCAA Football Coach of the Year After Leading Texas to Big 12 Title and College Football Playoff
In a momentous and well-deserved honor, Steve Sarkisian, head coach of the Texas Longhorns, has been named the NCAA Football Coach of the Year for the 2024 season. The announcement comes following a historic campaign in which Sarkisian guided Texas to the Big 12 Championship and a College Football Playoff (CFP) berth, solidifying his place among the elite minds in college football.
Sarkisian’s achievement marks a turning point in the resurgence of the Texas Longhorns. Once a powerhouse with a proud tradition of excellence, Texas had spent years trying to reclaim its position among college football’s elite. In 2024, Sarkisian not only met those expectations — he exceeded them in dramatic fashion.
Leading Texas to a 12-1 regular season, Sarkisian showcased his brilliance as both a strategist and a motivator. The Longhorns’ offense was dynamic and explosive, averaging over 38 points per game, while the defense — often a concern in past years — emerged as a disciplined, turnover-generating force. His team claimed the Big 12 title in a thrilling victory over Oklahoma State, avenging past disappointments and bringing home Texas’s first conference championship since 2009.
More importantly, Sarkisian’s leadership earned Texas its first College Football Playoff appearance — a milestone that reflects not only success on the field but also elite-level program building behind the scenes.
> “This award isn’t just about me,” Sarkisian said during his acceptance speech. “It’s about our players, our staff, and everyone who believed in what we’re building at Texas. I’m proud to represent this university and even prouder of what’s ahead.”
The honor caps off a remarkable personal and professional journey for Sarkisian, who once faced career-threatening setbacks earlier in his coaching life. His return to college football, first as Alabama’s offensive coordinator and then as Texas’s head coach, has been a story of resilience, redemption, and brilliance.
Under his leadership, Texas has made major strides in recruiting, player development, and competitive culture. Sarkisian’s quarterback — a Heisman finalist — and a host of future NFL talents flourished in his system, creating one of the most balanced and dangerous teams in the country.
Praise for Sarkisian has poured in from all corners of the sport. Former coaches, current players, analysts, and alumni have lauded not just the wins, but the accountability, energy, and belief he’s restored to Longhorn Football.
> “Texas is back — and it’s because of Sark,” said ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit. “He’s built a foundation for sustained success.”
With Texas moving into the SEC for the 2025 season, Sarkisian’s award feels like a prelude to even greater challenges — and bigger opportunities. The Coach of the Year title is not just a recognition of past triumphs but a signal to the nation: the Longhorns are no longer rebuilding — they’re ready to dominate.
And at the center of it all stands Steve Sarkisian — a coach who believed, built, and brought Texas
back to where it belongs.
