Steve Sarkisian is under increasing pressure as the Texas Longhorns strive for glory with $100 million goals amid SEC scrutiny and uncertainty sparked by NFL aspirations.
Steve Sarkisian is Under Increasing Pressure as the Texas Longhorns Strive for Glory with $100 Million Goals Amid SEC Scrutiny and Uncertainty Sparked by NFL Aspirations
In the high-stakes world of college football, few programs are as scrutinized as the Texas Longhorns. With a rich history, an immense fan base, and one of the largest athletic budgets in the nation, Texas has long been expected to contend for championships. As the Longhorns prepare to enter the SEC in 2025, the pressure on head coach Steve Sarkisian has reached a boiling point. Texas is aiming to establish itself as a national powerhouse once again, and the road to glory has never been more challenging—or more lucrative.
Sarkisian, who took over the reins at Texas in 2021, entered with high hopes and expectations. A proven offensive mind with a storied history in college football, including his time at Alabama as the offensive coordinator, Sarkisian was seen as the man who could return the Longhorns to national prominence. However, despite flashes of brilliance, Sarkisian’s tenure has been marked by inconsistencies. As Texas moves closer to its highly anticipated SEC debut, the pressure on Sarkisian continues to mount.
This pressure is compounded by several factors: the looming uncertainty surrounding his future at Texas, the rapid pace of college football’s changing landscape, and the looming shadow of NFL aspirations. With over $100 million invested in the football program and a fan base desperate for success, Sarkisian’s ability to navigate these challenges will determine the future of Texas football.
In this article, we’ll explore the mounting pressure facing Steve Sarkisian as he strives for success with Texas, the impact of the program’s goals amid SEC scrutiny, and the looming uncertainty surrounding his future in both the college and professional ranks.
The Pressure of High Expectations at Texas
When Steve Sarkisian was hired as the head coach of Texas in 2021, expectations for the program were already high. Texas had long been a storied powerhouse in college football, but the program had struggled to maintain consistent success since the Mack Brown era ended in 2013. Sarkisian was tasked with bringing Texas back to prominence and guiding the team to its first Big 12 championship since 2009, all while managing the pressures that come with being at the helm of one of the country’s most high-profile programs.
However, as Sarkisian’s tenure has unfolded, the results have been mixed. In his first season in 2021, the Longhorns started strong but faltered midway through the year, finishing with a disappointing 5-7 record. In 2022, Sarkisian showed promise, leading Texas to an 8-4 record and narrowly missing out on a spot in the Big 12 championship game. While progress was evident, the lack of a conference title or a playoff appearance raised questions about the program’s true direction under Sarkisian’s leadership.
This inconsistency has been frustrating for a fan base accustomed to success. The Texas Longhorns have long been one of the wealthiest and most well-resourced programs in college football, with a budget exceeding $100 million annually for their football program alone. The investment in facilities, recruiting, and coaching staff reflects the university’s commitment to returning to the top of college football. However, with that investment comes heightened expectations. The Longhorns’ fan base expects nothing less than championships, and anything short of that is considered a failure.
Moreover, Sarkisian’s ability to recruit and develop talent has come under scrutiny. While he has landed several high-profile recruits, including five-star quarterback Arch Manning in 2023, his teams have not yet demonstrated the level of sustained success that Texas fans have grown accustomed to. As a result, questions about his job security have become a constant topic of discussion, with some fans wondering if Sarkisian is the right coach to lead Texas to a national championship.
The $100 Million Goal: Texas Aims for National Glory
As Texas prepares for its move to the SEC in 2025, the stakes have been raised even higher. The SEC is widely regarded as the most competitive and prestigious conference in college football, with perennial powerhouses like Alabama, Georgia, and LSU. Joining the SEC is seen as a necessary step for Texas to compete for national championships, but it also brings an entirely new level of scrutiny.
The SEC offers unmatched exposure, higher-level competition, and access to more lucrative bowl games and playoff opportunities. However, it also means that Texas will be entering a more crowded and competitive landscape. In order to compete with the elite programs in the SEC, the Longhorns will need to elevate their game both on and off the field. That’s where the $100 million investment in the football program comes in.
In recent years, Texas has poured an unprecedented amount of money into its football program. This includes state-of-the-art facilities, enhanced recruiting budgets, and increased support for the coaching staff. The goal is clear: Texas wants to become a championship contender in the SEC and beyond. But the pressure to justify this massive financial commitment is immense. With such a substantial investment, there is little room for failure. The Longhorns’ supporters expect Sarkisian to deliver immediate results as they transition into one of college football’s most prestigious conferences.
For Sarkisian, the pressure is immense. His ability to succeed in the SEC will determine whether the $100 million investment pays off. The clock is ticking, and Texas cannot afford to squander its opportunity to compete at the highest level. With the resources available to him, Sarkisian has no excuses. If Texas fails to contend for SEC titles and playoff spots, his tenure could be seen as a failure, and the university may look to make a change.
The NFL Aspirations: Sarkisian’s Future in Question
Another layer of uncertainty surrounding Steve Sarkisian’s tenure at Texas stems from his potential aspirations to return to the NFL. Sarkisian has a history in professional football, having served as the offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons from 2017 to 2018. His time in the NFL, although short-lived, showed that he had the capacity to coach at the highest level of the game.
As a result, speculation about Sarkisian’s future in the NFL has been a constant topic of conversation. College football coaching jobs, especially those at high-profile programs like Texas, often serve as stepping stones for coaches to advance to the professional ranks. In particular, Sarkisian’s background as an offensive coordinator and his success working with quarterbacks could make him an attractive candidate for an NFL team looking to revamp its offense.
There is no doubt that Sarkisian is aware of the growing speculation. The NFL represents the pinnacle of the sport, and many coaches dream of making the jump to the professional ranks. However, Sarkisian has maintained that he is focused on his current role at Texas, where he is committed to building a championship program. That being said, his future remains uncertain, and many fans wonder how long he will stay in Austin if the opportunity to return to the NFL presents itself.
The NFL’s interest in Sarkisian, coupled with the scrutiny he faces at Texas, creates a precarious situation for both the coach and the program. If Sarkisian’s tenure at Texas doesn’t yield the desired results—particularly with the impending SEC transition—the university may be forced to make a difficult decision. Will they continue to invest in a coach with NFL aspirations, or will they cut ties and search for someone who is fully committed to building a championship program at Texas?
The Road Ahead: Can Sarkisian Deliver?
The road ahead for Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns is filled with challenges, but it also holds immense potential. Sarkisian’s offensive acumen is unquestioned. He has proven himself as one of the best offensive minds in college football, and his ability to develop quarterbacks has been a key asset for Texas. His recruitment of Arch Manning, arguably the most hyped quarterback in recent years, is a testament to his ability to attract top-tier talent.
However, Sarkisian’s ability to succeed in the SEC will ultimately define his legacy at Texas. The competition in the SEC is fierce, and the Longhorns will need to be at their best if they are to contend with the likes of Alabama, Georgia, and LSU. Texas will need to recruit at an elite level, develop players effectively, and execute consistently on both sides of the ball. The $100 million investment in the program means that the Longhorns have the resources to compete, but it will be up to Sarkisian to make that investment pay off.
The looming uncertainty surrounding Sarkisian’s future, combined with the pressure of the SEC transition and the growing speculation about his NFL aspirations, means that Texas is at a crossroads. Will Sarkisian be the coach to lead Texas back to national glory, or will his tenure be marked by missed opportunities and unfulfilled potential?
As the 2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns. The pressure is higher than ever, and the stakes couldn’t be greater. For Sarkisian, it’s clear: the road to glory will not be easy, but it is a challenge he must rise to if he wants to secure his place in Texas history.
