Ahead of a move to the SEC, Longhorns head football coach Steve Sarkisian is nearing a massive pay raise and extension with the University of Texas.
Reports indicate that the U of T board of regents is preparing to approve a new deal which will see Sarkisian’s salary nearly double in 2024, earning $10.3M per season, with scheduled pay increases of $100K per year until 2030. The new deal would make the 49 year old amongst the top 10 highest paid coaches in the FBS.
Sarkisian previously told supporters “I said it when I came here three years ago, this is a dream job for me,” in a prepared statement last month. “It’s a destination job, and I’m fired up every day to be the head coach at The University of Texas. We’re thrilled with what we’ve been able to accomplish and proud of the culture we’ve built and the way our players have grown – on and off the field. But we’re just getting started. I’ve said it all along, we’ve been building this program for long term success.”
Also included in his new contract at Texas:
• Two cars
• Private jet
• Game tickets
• Country club membership
• 2024: $10.3 million
• 2025: $10.4 million
• 2026: $10.5 million
• 2027: $10.6 million
• 2028: $10.7 million
• 2029: $10.8 million
• 2030: $10.9 million
There’s also the possibility of receiving an additional $1.85M annually in performance bonuses for winning the SEC Championship, and reaching various levels of the College Football Playoffs. Sarkisian recently wrapped up the 3rd year of a 6 year contract prior to discussions of an extension beginning.
Texas is coming off one of their most successful seasons in recent memory. The team finished 3rd nationally in the AP poll, won the Big 12 championship, and reached the CFP semi-finals before losing to Washington in a 37-31 Sugar Bowl thriller.
For his efforts, the Torrance, CA native was named Big 12 coach of the year, and was a finalist for multiple national coaching awards as well. During his 3 seasons in Austin, Sarkisian has compiled a 25-14 record.
As part of Sarkisian’s extension, the U of T board of regents is also planning to extend TE coach Jeff Banks, OC Kyle Flood, and DC Pete Kwiatkowski as well. The new deals are expected to be ratified at the next board meeting on February 21st.
-Kyle Skinner
Twitter: @JKyleSkinner
Photo: Johntex. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported, 2.5 Generic, 2.0 Generic and 1.0 Generic license.