The Unexpected Departure of Steve Sarkisian: A New Era for Texas Football
In a stunning turn of events, Texas Longhorns football coach Steve Sarkisian announced his resignation in the spring of 2025, bringing a sudden end to his tenure with the program. The news shocked college football fans, the Texas fanbase, and the larger sports community, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the Longhorns football team.
Sarkisian’s resignation comes after a turbulent and unpredictable run at Texas, where the Longhorns experienced flashes of brilliance, but also some disappointing setbacks. This article will delve into the circumstances surrounding his resignation, the highs and lows of Sarkisian’s time at Texas, and what lies ahead for the program as it seeks a new leader to guide them back to national prominence.
The Rise of Steve Sarkisian
Steve Sarkisian’s arrival in Austin in January 2021 was met with great anticipation. He was hired to replace Tom Herman, who had been unable to bring Texas back to the level of dominance it had enjoyed in previous decades. Sarkisian came to Texas with a reputation as an offensive mastermind. His previous work as the head coach at Washington and USC, along with his success as an offensive coordinator at Alabama, had earned him a strong following in the college football world.
Under Sarkisian’s tutelage at Alabama, the Crimson Tide had one of the most potent offenses in the country. He helped develop quarterback Mac Jones into a first-round NFL draft pick and played a key role in Alabama’s 2020 National Championship victory. Given Texas’s underwhelming performance in recent years, Sarkisian was viewed as the man to bring the program back to national contention. His ability to develop quarterbacks, run high-powered offenses, and recruit elite talent was expected to translate into success in Austin.
Sarkisian’s hiring was seen as a bold move for the Longhorns, as the program had long been in search of a coach who could restore the glory days of Texas football. From the beginning, there were high expectations. Fans and analysts alike believed that Sarkisian was the right coach to lead the Longhorns into the competitive Big 12 and eventually the SEC.
Sarkisian’s Early Days at Texas
Sarkisian’s early tenure at Texas began with a mixture of optimism and caution. In his first season (2021), he inherited a program that had underperformed for several years. Despite the challenges, Texas showed signs of promise in the early parts of the season. The offense, led by quarterback Casey Thompson, flashed the potential of Sarkisian’s offensive system, while the team overall seemed to be moving in the right direction.
However, the 2021 season quickly took a downward turn. The Longhorns finished with a disappointing 5-7 record, which included a six-game losing streak to close out the year. The losses were painful and exposed the flaws in the program—particularly the defense, which had been a persistent issue for Texas for years. Sarkisian’s first season ended with a whimper, but there was still hope for the future. The offense was capable of explosive plays, and with a full recruiting class coming in, there was optimism that the program could turn things around.
Despite the struggles, Sarkisian’s ability to recruit at a high level was one of the bright spots. In his first full recruiting cycle, Sarkisian was able to land several top-tier recruits, including elite quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers. His offensive prowess attracted attention from high school talent across the country, and Texas appeared poised to make significant strides in the coming seasons.
2022: The Building Blocks of the Future
Heading into the 2022 season, there was a renewed sense of optimism around the Texas program. Sarkisian had brought in several high-profile recruits, including quarterback Quinn Ewers, who was seen as the future of the program. Ewers, a former five-star recruit from Southlake Carroll, transferred to Texas after one year at Ohio State, and his arrival raised the stakes for the Longhorns.
The 2022 season started with promise as Texas defeated a top-ranked opponent in Louisiana-Lafayette and showed signs of growth. However, once again, the Longhorns’ season was marred by inconsistency. They finished with an 8-5 record, an improvement from 2021 but still far from the level expected of a program with Texas’s resources and history.
One of the most notable aspects of the 2022 season was the continued development of Quinn Ewers. He showed flashes of brilliance but also had his struggles. Sarkisian’s system required a quarterback who could make quick reads and execute a complex passing game, and while Ewers had the talent, he wasn’t always able to execute at a consistently high level.
The defense, which had been a point of criticism throughout the program’s decline, continued to be a weakness in 2022. Despite the presence of defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski, Texas’s defense often seemed out of sync and unable to keep up with high-powered offenses. The inability to stop opposing teams consistently kept the Longhorns from truly competing at the highest level.
In a season that showed promise but didn’t quite deliver, Texas fans were left questioning whether Sarkisian was the right coach to lead the program back to greatness. There was progress, but it seemed slow, and the margin for error in the competitive world of college football was shrinking.
2023: A Season of Hope
Entering the 2023 season, Texas was once again viewed as a potential contender for the Big 12 title. With a solid group of returning players, including Ewers at quarterback and a deep running back room led by Bijan Robinson, the Longhorns had the pieces to make a serious run. Sarkisian’s offensive system appeared to be maturing, and with another year of recruiting under his belt, the team was poised to take the next step.
Texas started the season with a bang, defeating high-profile opponents and showing that they had the talent to compete with the best in the country. Ewers had a breakout year, looking every bit like the five-star prospect he was hailed as coming out of high school. The offense was explosive, and the defense showed signs of improvement.
However, as the season went on, familiar issues began to arise. Texas’s defense once again proved to be inconsistent, allowing big plays at crucial moments. The Longhorns finished with a respectable 10-3 record, but they were once again on the outside looking in when it came to the College Football Playoff. Sarkisian had brought the program closer to where it wanted to be, but the gap between Texas and the elite programs of college football remained.
As 2023 ended, there were calls from the fanbase for Sarkisian to prove that he could take the next step. The program was improving, but it was clear that Texas needed to make a leap into the national championship conversation if they wanted to justify the investment they had made in him.
The 2024 Campaign: The Struggles Intensify
The 2024 season was expected to be the year that Texas broke through. The Longhorns had the talent, the coaching staff, and the resources to make a legitimate run at the College Football Playoff. Sarkisian’s offense was fully installed, and Ewers had another year of experience. The program had invested heavily in recruiting and player development, and it seemed that the window for success was wide open.
However, the 2024 season began with disappointment. Texas, despite its high expectations, struggled in early games. The offense, which had been a strength in previous years, faltered in key moments. Ewers, while still showing potential, was unable to elevate his play when the team needed him most. The defense, despite improvements under Kwiatkowski, continued to allow big plays at critical moments.
The Longhorns finished the 2024 season with a 7-5 record, falling short of expectations and failing to make a significant bowl game. The struggles on both sides of the ball were evident, and Sarkisian found himself under increasing pressure. Fans and analysts questioned whether he could bring Texas to the next level, or whether the program needed a new direction.
The Resignation
In the spring of 2025, Steve Sarkisian announced his resignation as head coach of the Texas Longhorns. The decision sent shockwaves through the college football community. While Sarkisian had brought some positive moments to Texas, including moments of offensive brilliance and recruiting success, his inability to elevate the team to championship contention ultimately led to his departure.
In his resignation statement, Sarkisian expressed gratitude for the opportunity to coach at Texas but acknowledged that the program needed a new voice and a fresh perspective. “I am incredibly proud of the work we’ve done here, and I believe the foundation is set for success in the future. But it’s clear that the team needs a new direction, and I’m stepping away to allow that to happen,” Sarkisian said.
What’s Next for Texas?
With Sarkisian’s departure, Texas finds itself at a crossroads. The program has the talent and resources to be competitive, but the question now is whether the right coach can lead the Longhorns back to glory. Athletic director Chris Del Conte will likely turn to a search for a new head coach who can provide a fresh perspective, bring consistency to the program, and lead Texas to national prominence.
While the future is uncertain, one thing is clear: the Texas Longhorns will not stop striving for excellence. Sarkisian’s resignation marks the end of one era but the beginning of another—one where the program will look to reclaim its place among the elite programs of college football.
