Who Is the Texas Football Coach? Meet Steve Sarkisian

Steve Sarkisian is the current Texas football coach, leading the University of Texas Longhorns into the 2026 season. He became the program’s head coach in 2021 after coaching at several major college and NFL programs. Since taking charge in Austin, Sarkisian has helped Texas return to national prominence. The Longhorns have made two College Football Playoff semifinal appearances under his leadership. Entering 2026, Texas lists Sarkisian as its head football coach and credits his program with major progress in recruiting, player development, and on-field results.

Who Is Steve Sarkisian?

Steve Sarkisian is an American football coach with more than two decades of coaching experience. He was born in Torrance, California, and earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology from Brigham Young University in 1997. His coaching career began at El Camino College before he moved into major college football. Over the years, he worked with programs including USC, Washington, Alabama, and the Atlanta Falcons. Those experiences helped shape the offensive approach he later brought to Texas.

Sarkisian is particularly known for his work with quarterbacks and offenses. Before becoming Texas’ head coach, he served as Alabama’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2019 and 2020. He also worked as an offensive coordinator with the Atlanta Falcons. His earlier career included offensive roles at USC and head-coaching positions at Washington and USC. This combination of offensive experience and head-coaching experience helped prepare him for the challenge of leading Texas.

When Did Sarkisian Become Texas Football Coach?

Texas hired Sarkisian as its head coach in January 2021. He arrived in Austin after serving as Alabama’s offensive coordinator under Nick Saban. His first season at Texas ended with a 5-7 record, but the program improved to 8-5 in 2022. The progress became much more significant during the following seasons.

In 2023, Texas produced a 12-2 record and won the Big 12 Championship. The Longhorns finished No. 3 in the final national rankings and reached the College Football Playoff semifinal. The next year brought another major step forward. Texas went 13-3 in its first season in the SEC and reached the conference championship game. The team also returned to the CFP semifinal, making Texas the only program to reach that stage in both 2023 and 2024.

What Is Sarkisian’s Record at Texas?

Sarkisian enters the 2026 season with a 48-20 record at Texas. His overall collegiate head-coaching record stands at 94-55 entering the season. Those numbers reflect the improvement Texas has made since his arrival. The program went from a 5-7 record in his first season to three consecutive 10-win seasons from 2023 through 2025.

The 2025 season ended with Texas posting a 10-3 record and winning the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl against Michigan. According to the university, that marked Texas’ third consecutive 10-win season. The achievement was especially notable because Texas had not recorded three straight 10-win seasons since the program’s run from 2001 through 2009.

How Has Sarkisian Changed Texas Football?

One of Sarkisian’s biggest impacts has come through recruiting and player development. Texas has produced top-five recruiting classes in each of the five seasons before 2026, according to the university. The program has also produced several major individual award winners and numerous first-team All-Americans during Sarkisian’s tenure.

His teams have also developed a strong pipeline to the NFL. Texas set a school record with 11 players selected in the seven-round NFL Draft in 2024. The Longhorns surpassed that total with 12 selections in 2025. The university says Texas had 29 draft picks across the 2024-25 drafts, placing the program among the national leaders during that period.

Sarkisian’s Coaching Background

Before joining Texas, Sarkisian built a varied coaching résumé. He worked with quarterbacks at USC and later became an assistant head coach and offensive coordinator there. He then became Washington’s head coach in 2009. After leaving Washington, he returned to USC as head coach before moving to the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons.

His time at Alabama became an important stage in his career. Sarkisian served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Crimson Tide in 2019 and 2020. He then accepted the Texas job and began building his own program in Austin. His experience across different levels of football has influenced the way he manages the Longhorns.

What Is Sarkisian’s Role in 2026?

Sarkisian remains the head coach of Texas football in 2026. The official Texas athletics coaching staff lists him as head coach and shows a staff that includes offensive and defensive coordinators, position coaches, and football performance personnel.

The 2026 season represents another important stage for the program. Texas is continuing its development in the SEC while trying to remain among college football’s national contenders. Sarkisian’s role includes managing the coaching staff, developing players, overseeing recruiting, and preparing the team for conference and postseason competition.

What Makes Steve Sarkisian Important to Texas?

Sarkisian has become an important figure in Texas’ return to national relevance. His tenure has included conference success, College Football Playoff appearances, strong recruiting classes, and increased NFL representation. The results have also changed expectations around the program. Texas is no longer simply trying to rebuild. The Longhorns enter each season with expectations of competing for major conference and national honors.

His offensive background is another important part of his identity as a coach. Sarkisian has spent much of his career working with quarterbacks and designing offenses. At Texas, that experience has been combined with a broader responsibility for building the entire program. The result has been a team that has steadily improved since 2021. Explore more Teresa Fernandes

What Is Next for the Texas Football Coach?

The focus for Sarkisian now turns to the 2026 season. Texas enters the campaign after three consecutive seasons with at least 10 wins. The program will look to build on its recent success while competing in the SEC. Texas athletics has already highlighted Sarkisian’s presence around the 2026 program, including his appearance at SEC Media Days and his inclusion on the Dodd Trophy preseason watch list.

For Sarkisian, the challenge is maintaining the progress he has created. Texas has established itself as a regular national contender during his tenure. The next step is to convert that consistency into further conference success and a deeper postseason run. With his experience and established staff, Sarkisian remains central to the Longhorns’ plans.

Conclusion

Steve Sarkisian is the current Texas football coach and enters his sixth season leading the Longhorns in 2026. His tenure has produced a 48-20 record at Texas, three consecutive 10-win seasons, a Big 12 title, and two College Football Playoff semifinal appearances. His recruiting and player development efforts have also strengthened Texas’ NFL pipeline. As the Longhorns continue competing in the SEC, Sarkisian remains the central figure in the program’s pursuit of sustained national success.

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