Texas didn’t wait long to hire Tom Herman’s replacement, as the Longhorns announced Saturday that they have agreed a deal with Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian.
Sarkisian, who won the Broyles Award as FBS’s top assistant, will remain with No. 1 Crimson Tide to train against Ohio State No. 3 in the college’s National Football Playoff Championship presented by AT&T l ’11 January (8pm ET, ESPN / ESPN App), sources told ESPN.
“This is a unique and compelling opportunity to take this historic program to the next level, competing once again among the best in college football,” Sarkisian said of joining the Longhorns.
The Longhorns’ announcement came about five hours after the school unexpectedly said it had fired Herman, who went 32-18 in Texas and 7-3 this season, culminating in a win over Colorado at Valero Alamo Bowl Tuesday.
Sarkisian, who earns $ 2.5 million a season on Nick Saban’s staff with the Crimson Tide, turned down an interview with Auburn during his search for head coach last month and turned down the job of head coach. Colorado last year.
He is the first assistant coach hired by Texas to lead his program since 1951, when the Longhorns promoted Ed Price to the role.
Texas did not immediately disclose the details of the Sarkisian agreement. The Longhorns will owe Herman about $ 15 million to buy the last three years of his contract. The Longhorns will owe about $ 10 million more to buy the remaining contracts for their aides, who are guaranteed multi-year deals.
“Hiring Steve Sarkisian represents a critical investment in the future of our football program, not just for our student athletes, but for the entire Longhorn nation,” said university president Jay Hartzell. “The whole community benefits from a healthy and successful athletics program, and Steve’s name as a coach instills in our football program the advice and experience needed to drive success.”
Sarkisian, 46, coached USC quarterbacks on January 4, 2006, when Vince Young led the Longhorns in a 41-38 clash with USC No. 1 in the BCS National Championship at the Rose Bowl. end to the victory of 34 games of the Trojans. streak. It was Texas’ first national title since 1970.
“There has always been something special about Longhorn football, its history and traditions, not just that day, and I could never have imagined that 15 years later, I would join the Longhorns as head coach,” he said. Sarkisian.
Sarkisian coached Heisman Trophy winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC and star quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones in Alabama. He was 46-35 combined during coaching seasons at USC and Washington.
His tenure at USC ended badly when then-athletic director Pat Haden fired him due to alcohol-related problems. At the time, ESPN reported that Haden had put Sarkisian in a zero-tolerance policy regarding alcohol consumption. He went into rehab after his dismissal.
Sarkisian worked as the NFL Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator in 2017 and 18 before returning to Alabama in 2019.
“Steve Sarkisian is one of the most offensive minds in the game of football, which he has shown time and time again during his time at USC, Atlanta and, more recently, Alabama,” the athletic director said in a statement. of Texas, Chris Del Conte. “We are confident that our players and coaches will thrive under his leadership and in response to his energy and passion for the game.”
This will be the sixth time Alabama has played for a national championship with a starting coordinator to fill a head coach position, dating back to 2011, when offensive coordinator Jim McElwain accepted the job from the state of Colorado.
Texas and Alabama are scheduled to play a home series in 2022 and 2023.
ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg and Chris Low contributed to this report.