Sarkisian Hire Confirmed At Texas, Will Coach In Title Game

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Texas has confirmed that Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian has been hired as the next head coach for the Longhorns, following the firing of Tom Herman on Saturday.

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Alabama also confirmed Sarkisian, 46, will remain on the coaching staff for its College Football Playoff championship matchup against Ohio State on Jan. 11.

"Hiring Steve Sarkisian represents a critical investment in our football program's future, not just for our student-athletes, but for all of Longhorn Nation," said UT President Jay Hartzell in a statement on Saturday. "Our entire community benefits from a healthy and successful athletics program, and naming Steve as our coach infuses our football program with the necessary guidance and expertise to drive further success."

In the joint statement with university administrators, Sarkisian said on Jan. 4, 2006, he was the USC quarterbacks coach when the Trojans played Texas in the now-famous national championship game that saw the Longhorns upset the defending champs.

"There has always been something special about Longhorn football, its history and traditions – not just on that day – and I could never have imagined that 15 years later, I would join the Longhorns as their head coach," Sarkisian said. "This is a unique and compelling opportunity to lead this storied program to the next level, competing once again amongst the best in college football."

Earlier this week, Sarkisian was named the 2020 Broyles Award winner, which is awarded to the top college football assistant coach, as he has helped lead the Crimson Tide to the national championship.

During the 2020 season, Sarkisian played a major role in developing three Heisman trophy candidates on the same offense, which became the No. 2 scoring offense in the country.

Before joining Nick Saban as a full time offensive coordinator at Alabama in 2019, Sarkisian spent two years as offensive coordinator with the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL, four years as an assistant and two as head coach at the University of Southern California, and five years as head coach at the University of Washington.

His head coaching record is 46-35 overall and 2-2 in bowl games.

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