Texas did not wait long to hire Tom Herman’s replacement, as the Longhorns announced Saturday that they had agreed a deal with Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian.
Sarkisian, who won the Broyles Award as a top assistant on FBS, will remain No. 1 Crimson Tide to train against No. 3 Ohio State in the National College Football Playoff Championship, presented by AT&T on January 11 ( 8 pm ET), ESPN / ESPN App), sources told ESPN.
“This is a unique and compelling opportunity to take this program to the next level, once again competing among the best in college football,” Sarkisian said of joining the Longhorns.
Longhorns’ announcement came about five hours after the school unexpectedly said it fired Herman, who was 32-18 in Texas and 7-3 this season, culminating in a win over Colorado in Valero Alamo. Bowl, Tuesday.
Sarkisian, who earns $ 2.5 million a season for Nick Saban’s staff with Crimson Tide, turned down an interview with Auburn last month in search of the head coach and turned down the position of head coach in Colorado last year.
He is the first assistant coach hired by Texas to lead the program since 1951, when the Longhorns promoted Ed Price to the role.
Texas did not immediately disclose details of Sarkisian’s agreement. Longhorns will owe Herman about $ 15 million to buy the last three years of his contract. Longhorns will owe about another $ 10 million to buy the remaining contracts for its assistants, who are guaranteed multi-year transactions.
“Hiring Steve Sarkisian is a critical investment in the future of our football program, not just for student-athletes, but for the entire Longhorn nation,” said Jay Hartzell, president of the university. “Our entire community benefits from a healthy and successful athletics program, and Steve’s appointment as a coach gives our football program the guidance and expertise we need to continue to succeed.”
Sarkisian, 46, was the coach of USC quarterback on January 4, 2006, when Vince Young led the Longhorns to a 41-38 USC No. 1 upset in the Rose Bowl BCS National Championship, ending winning the 34 Trojan games. 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 Longhorns as their head coach,” he said. Sarkisian.
Sarkisian coached USC Trophy winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC and star defenders Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones at Alabama. He went 46-35 combined during his coaching internships at USC and Washington.
His tenure at USC ended badly when then-athletic director Pat Haden fired him over reported alcohol problems. At the time, ESPN reported that Haden had placed Sarkisian on a zero-tolerance policy on alcohol consumption. He entered rehabilitation after his dismissal.
Sarkisian worked as the Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator in the NFL in 2017 and ’18 before returning to Alabama in 2019.
“Steve Sarkisian is one of the top offensive minds in the game of football, which he has always proven in his time with USC, Atlanta and, more recently, Alabama,” Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte said in a statement. “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 an outgoing coordinator for a head coach position since 2011, when offensive coordinator Jim McElwain accepted the Colorado state position.
Texas and Alabama are scheduled to play a home and home series in 2022 and 2023.
Adam Rittenberg and Chris Low of ESPN contributed to this report.