The college football coaching carousel is still spinning, and it’s not slowing down anytime soon. With the Michigan job wide open - and likely to be filled by a current Power 4 head coach - we’re still waiting on a few major dominoes to fall before the 2026 season kicks off.
And don’t forget, the NFL coaching cycle hasn’t even started yet. With three weeks left in the regular season, it’s only a matter of time before that adds another layer of chaos to the mix.
But one name that can be scratched off the NFL rumor mill - at least for now - is Steve Sarkisian.
Sark’s name has been floated in NFL circles for a while now. The Tennessee Titans have been loosely connected to him, and while Sarkisian has played it cool publicly, the speculation hasn’t gone away. That is, until Monday night, when a decision out of Austin may have changed the entire outlook for Texas - and for Sarkisian - heading into 2026.
Arch Manning is coming back.
The redshirt sophomore quarterback - and yes, that Manning - is returning for another year in burnt orange, passing on the NFL Draft for at least one more season. It’s not a shocking decision.
Most expected Manning to stay after a rocky start to his first year as Texas’ starter. But the way he finished the season?
That’s what makes his return a game-changer.
Manning’s Return Resets the Ceiling for Texas in 2026
Let’s rewind a bit. Arch Manning entered the 2025 season with sky-high expectations.
He wasn’t just the starting quarterback at Texas - he was the early Heisman favorite and projected by many to go No. 1 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. But then came Ohio State.
The Buckeyes' defense - arguably the best in the country - rattled him early, and the transition to full-time starter hit some bumps. His timing was off, his accuracy inconsistent, and the early whispers of “bust” or “flop” started to creep in.
But credit to Manning - and to Sarkisian. They didn’t panic.
Manning settled in as the year went on. He started to look more comfortable, more decisive, and more like the player everyone expected.
By season’s end, he was rolling. His second-half performance against Texas A&M was a statement - not just for him, but for the entire program.
Texas didn’t quite make the College Football Playoff, but they were right there on the edge, and Manning’s late-season surge was a big reason why.
Here’s the reality: almost every young quarterback hits a rough patch. What makes Manning’s struggles different is the spotlight.
He’s not just any QB - he’s the next in line from football royalty. But the version of Arch Manning we saw down the stretch?
That guy can win a national title.
And now, he’s back.
Texas Has a Title Shot - If the Pieces Fall Into Place
With Manning returning, Texas walks into 2026 as a legitimate national title contender. But there are still boxes to check.
The offensive line has to be better - plain and simple. Manning’s early-season issues weren’t just about decision-making; he was under pressure constantly.
Give him time, and he’ll carve up defenses. Without it, even the best quarterbacks struggle.
Then there’s the run game. Against elite SEC defenses, you can’t be one-dimensional.
Sarkisian has to find a more consistent ground attack to take some of the pressure off his quarterback. If he can do that - if Texas can be balanced and keep Manning upright - this team has the tools to make a real run.
And if Sarkisian pulls it off? If he leads Texas to an SEC title and a national championship appearance - or even a win - with a Manning at quarterback?
His stock won’t just rise. It’ll skyrocket.
At that point, we’re not talking about the Titans or any other struggling franchise hoping for a rebuild. Sarkisian would be one of the hottest names in football - college or pro. He could handpick his next move, whether that’s jumping to the NFL to develop another young quarterback or staying put in Austin with a well-earned raise and even more program control.
For Now, Sark Stays - And Texas Gets a Shot at Greatness
Let’s be honest: you don’t walk away from a quarterback like Arch Manning. Not when he’s just starting to figure it out.
Not when the potential for something special is right there in front of you. Sarkisian may have been linked to the NFL, but with Manning back in the fold, the decision becomes easy.
Texas has a real shot to do something big in 2026. And Sarkisian knows it.
The carousel keeps spinning. But in Austin, things just got a whole lot more stable - and a whole lot more exciting.