Texas didn’t wait long to hire Tom Herman’s replacement, as the Longhorns announced on Saturday that they have struck a deal with Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian.
Sarkisian, who won the Broyles Award as the best assistant in the FBS, will remain with the # 1 Crimson Tide to coach against # 3 Ohio State in the College Football Playoff National Championship presented by AT&T on January 11 (8:00 PM). ET, ESPN / ESPN App), sources told ESPN.
“This is a unique and immersive opportunity to take this legendary program to the next level and compete once again against the best in college football,” Sarkisian said of participating in the Longhorns.
The Longhorns announcement came about five hours after the school unexpectedly said it fired Herman, who went 32-18 in Texas and 7-3 this season, resulting in a victory over Colorado in the Valero Alamo Bowl on Tuesday.
Sarkisian, who earns $ 2.5 million per season on Nick Saban’s staff at the Crimson Tide, declined an interview with Auburn in his quest for head coaching last month and turned down the job as head coach in Colorado last year.
He is the first assistant coach hired by Texas to run the program since 1951, when the Longhorns promoted Ed Price to the role.
Texas has not immediately released the details of Sarkisian’s deal. The Longhorns will owe Herman approximately $ 15 million to buy out the last three years of his contract. The Longhorns will still owe about $ 10 million to buy out the remaining contracts for its assistants, which are guaranteed multi-year deals.
“Hiring Steve Sarkisian is a critical investment in the future of our football program, not just for our student athletes but for the whole of Longhorn Nation,” said University President Jay Hartzell. “Our entire community benefits from a healthy and successful athletics program, and by appointing Steve as our coach, our football program will receive the necessary guidance and expertise to achieve further success.”
Sarkisian, 46, was USC’s quarterbacks coach on January 4, 2006, when Vince Young led the Longhorns to a 41-38 upset of No. 1 USC in the BCS National Championship at the Rose Bowl, ending 34 wins of the Trojans. streak. It was Texas’s first national title since 1970.
“There has always been something special about Longhorn football, its history and traditions – not just on that day – and I never imagined joining the Longhorns as their head coach 15 years later,” Sarkisian said.
Sarkisian coached Heisman Trophy winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC and star quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones in Alabama. He went 46-35 combined during coaching stints at USC and Washington.
His tenure at USC ended badly when then-athletic director Pat Haden fired him over reported alcohol problems. At the time, ESPN reported that Haden Sarkisian had imposed a zero-tolerance policy on alcohol consumption. He went to rehab after his discharge.
Sarkisian worked as attack coordinator for the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons in 2017 and ’18 before returning to Alabama in 2019.
“Steve Sarkisian is one of the best forwards in the game of football, as he has proven time and time again during his time at USC, Atlanta and most recently Alabama,” Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte said in a statement. “We are confident that our players and coaches will thrive under his leadership and in response to his energy and passion for the game.”
This will be the sixth time Alabama has played for a national championship with a coordinator en route to a head coach position, dating back to 2011, when offensive coordinator Jim McElwain accepted the job in Colorado State.
Texas and Alabama are scheduled to play a home-and-home series in 2022 and 2023.
ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg and Chris Low contributed to this report.