Steve Sarkisian’s Texas tenure has hit a rough patch, and one CBS Sports projection says the Longhorns could decide to move on if the slide keeps going.
Texas opened the year 4-0 and climbed to the top spot in the country after its comeback win over Ohio State, but that fast start has been undercut by back-to-back 27-24 losses to Oklahoma and Florida. Now a team that was viewed as a serious title threat suddenly needs to finish perfectly just to stay in the College Football Playoff conversation.
CBS Sports’ Brad Crawford went a step further, predicting Texas will make a coaching change after an 8-4 finish. “Equipped with one of college football’s few rosters that exceeds $40 million, Sarkisian has to deliver down the stretch or the money in Austin will have an appetite for change,” Crawford wrote. “Texas has been ranked No. 1 in three consecutive seasons now, fans are exasperated at yet another 5-star QB and high-priced roster gone to waste, and Sarkisian’s edgy antics - screaming at Holly Rowe, making defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski last seaon’s scapegoat, refusing to pass the controller on offense - are growing old.”
Sarkisian signed an extension in January 2025 after guiding Texas to the CFP semifinals. The Longhorns then began the following season No. 1 in the AP preseason poll, only to miss the postseason after three losses. This year was supposed to be the reset, but the same frustrations are back.
The Oklahoma loss stung in particular. Texas had a 10-point lead at halftime before the Sooners ripped off 17 fourth-quarter points to win the Red River Rivalry. A week later, the Longhorns dropped a home game to Florida, despite the Gators entering after back-to-back losses in which they had allowed 83 points.
There are also questions around Arch Manning, who has not gotten anywhere near Heisman level so far. His rocky stretch has even sparked talk about his job security. KJ Lacey is expected to get more first-team practice reps, though Sarkisian has stuck with Manning as his starter.
If Texas does decide to make a move, it would not come cheap. Sarkisian’s buyout sits at $50.9 million, a steep number even for a program with that kind of ambition. Still, the university could be willing to pay it if the Longhorns do not recover.
For now, Texas turns to a big SEC test against No. 7 Ole Miss on Saturday night.
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