Steve Sarkisian: The Coaching Career Behind the Texas Turnaround
Few coaching stories in college football carry as much drama as Steve Sarkisian’s. He built a reputation as a rising offensive mind, hit a very public low point, and then rebuilt his career from the ground up. Today, he stands as the head coach of the Texas Longhorns, one of the most talked-about programs in the sport.
This article walks through his coaching journey, breaks down his record year by year, and looks at why his rebuild in Austin has become one of the most impressive turnarounds in recent college football history.
From Quarterback to Coordinator
Sarkisian’s path into coaching started on the field, not the sideline. He played quarterback at Brigham Young University before a brief run in the Canadian Football League with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Once his playing career ended, he moved into coaching almost immediately, joining Pete Carroll’s staff at USC.
That early stint at USC turned into a long apprenticeship. He worked his way from quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator, learning under one of the sport’s most successful staffs at the time. A short stint with the Oakland Raiders gave him a taste of the NFL before he returned to college football for good.
The Head Coaching Years
Sarkisian’s first head coaching job came at the University of Washington in 2009. He spent five seasons rebuilding a struggling program before USC hired him away in 2014. His time at USC ended abruptly in 2015 amid a public struggle with alcoholism, and he was let go partway through the season.
What happened next became one of the more compelling redemption arcs in the sport. Nick Saban brought him to Alabama, first as an analyst and later as offensive coordinator. During his second stint on Saban’s staff, doctors discovered a cardiac aneurysm during a routine physical, leading to open heart surgery. Sarkisian has since spoken openly about that health scare and his recovery from alcoholism, both of which reshaped how he approached the next chapter of his career.
A brief run as offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons followed, before he returned to Alabama and helped the Crimson Tide offense reach new heights. That success set the stage for his next head coaching opportunity, one that would define his legacy.
Building the Texas Turnaround
Texas hired Sarkisian in 2021, hoping he could return the program to national relevance after a disappointing run under the previous coaching staff. The early results were rough.
- 2021: Texas finished 5 and 7, missing a bowl game entirely
- 2022: The Longhorns improved to 8 and 5 with an Alamo Bowl appearance
- 2023: Texas broke through with a 12 and 2 record, a Big 12 title, and a College Football Playoff appearance
- 2024: The Longhorns matched a school record with 13 wins and reached the SEC Championship Game in their first year in the conference
- 2025: Texas posted a 10 and 3 record, a season some now consider a step back given how high expectations had climbed
That kind of season by season growth is rare in college football, where coaches often get judged before a rebuild has time to take hold.
The Numbers Behind the Rebuild
Statistics tell a clear story about how far the program has come under Sarkisian.
- He enters the 2026 season with an 84 and 52 record across 11 seasons as a head coach
- Texas produced back to back top five final rankings in 2023 and 2024, the program’s first since 2008 and 2009
- The Longhorns set a school record with 12 NFL Draft picks in 2025, including three first round selections
- Texas had 28 players on NFL rosters within four seasons of his arrival, up from 32 total when he took over
- The team’s average GPA rose from 2.33 under the previous coaching staff to 3.36 in the most recent spring semester
That last stat matters more than it might seem at first glance. Building a winning program while also improving academic performance suggests a coaching philosophy built on structure, not just talent.
How Sarkisian Compares to His Peers
| Category | Steve Sarkisian | Context |
| Career head coaching record | 84 and 52 | Across Washington, USC, and Texas |
| Texas record through 2025 | 38 and 17 | Fifth season entering 2026 |
| CFP appearances at Texas | Two straight, 2023 and 2024 | First two years of playoff era for the program |
| 2025 salary | Roughly 10.8 million dollars | Third highest paid coach in the sport |
| National coaching rank entering 2026 | Ranked as high as second in the SEC by some outlets | Behind only Georgia’s Kirby Smart in several rankings |
The table shows a coach who has climbed from an uncertain career outlook to one of the highest paid and most respected figures in his profession, in a relatively short window of time.
What Makes His Coaching Style Stand Out
A few themes recur when analysts and players describe working with Sarkisian.
- A strong emphasis on culture and accountability, not just scheme
- An offensive system built around adapting to the strengths of his quarterback and skill players
- A patient, long term approach to roster building rather than chasing quick fixes
- Heavy investment in player development, reflected in the program’s NFL Draft numbers
- Open communication about his personal struggles, which several players have cited as a trust building factor
That combination of discipline and openness seems to be part of why his message has resonated with a young roster during a high pressure rebuild.
Challenges Still Ahead
Even with the progress, Sarkisian faces real pressure heading into the next stretch of his career.
- Texas holds a 2 and 6 record against top five ranked opponents over the past three seasons, a stat critics point to often
- Expectations have shifted, with anything short of a College Football Playoff run now viewed as a disappointment by parts of the fan base
- Competition within the SEC remains fierce, with coaches like Kirby Smart and Lane Kiffin also building elite rosters
- Maintaining recruiting momentum while competing against well funded rivals requires constant attention
- Replacing key departures each year, especially after strong NFL Draft classes, adds pressure to the coaching staff
None of these challenges are unique to Sarkisian. They come with running a program at this level, especially one trying to climb from rebuilding to championship contention.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Steve Sarkisian’s career coaching record?
He enters the 2026 season with an 84 and 52 record across 11 seasons as a head coach at Washington, USC, and Texas.
Why did Steve Sarkisian leave USC in 2015?
He was let go partway through the 2015 season following a public struggle with alcoholism. He has since spoken openly about his recovery.
How did Steve Sarkisian rebuild his career after USC?
Nick Saban hired him at Alabama, first as an analyst and later as offensive coordinator. That role helped him rebuild his reputation before Texas hired him as head coach in 2021.
How has Texas performed under Sarkisian?
The program has improved from a 5 and 7 record in his first season to back to back College Football Playoff appearances in 2023 and 2024, along with a Big 12 title and an SEC Championship Game appearance.
What is Steve Sarkisian’s salary at Texas?
As of 2025, his salary was reported at roughly 10.8 million dollars, making him one of the highest paid coaches in college football.
Conclusion
Steve Sarkisian’s coaching career is a study in patience and second chances. From a promising offensive coordinator to a head coach who lost his job under difficult circumstances to the architect of one of the most talked-about rebuilds in college football, his path has rarely followed a straight line.
The results at Texas speak for themselves. A five-win rebuilding year has turned into a program chasing championships, backed by strong recruiting, record-setting NFL Draft classes, and academic improvement that often gets overlooked in the conversation. Whether Sarkisian can push Texas over the final hurdle to a national title remains an open question heading into the next season, but his career so far shows a coach who has consistently found a way to turn adversity into progress.
