Steve Sarkisian Reveals How Close He Was to Leaving Arch Manning, Texas…Read more

Steve Sarkisian, the head coach of the Texas Longhorns football team, has recently shed light on his commitment to the program amid external opportunities. Following the retirement of legendary Alabama coach Nick Saban, Sarkisian acknowledged that he briefly contemplated returning to Alabama, where he previously served as offensive coordinator. However, this consideration was fleeting. Sarkisian stated, “Naturally, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think about it. But it took me all of about 60 seconds to say, ‘Yeah, I’m not doing that.'” He emphasized his dedication to Texas, highlighting the substantial progress made over the past three years and expressing optimism about the program’s future. citeturn0search4

In addition to the Alabama opportunity, Sarkisian reportedly declined interviews from two NFL teams that expressed interest in him for their head coaching vacancies. This decision preceded his agreement to a one-year contract extension with the Longhorns. Despite Texas not securing a spot in the College Football Playoff championship for the second consecutive year, Sarkisian’s commitment to the program remains unwavering. He has transformed Texas into a perennial playoff contender and is determined to secure a national title, a notable gap in his career achievements. citeturn0news29

Sarkisian’s steadfastness has had a stabilizing effect on the team’s dynamics, particularly concerning the quarterback position. Quinn Ewers, who led the Longhorns’ offense for three seasons, recently announced his decision to declare for the 2025 NFL Draft. Ewers expressed gratitude for his time at Texas and enthusiasm about transitioning to the professional level. During his tenure, he amassed 9,128 passing yards, 68 touchdowns, and 24 interceptions, contributing to a 33-10 record, a Big 12 championship in 2023, and two consecutive College Football Playoff semifinal appearances. citeturn0news30

With Ewers’ departure, attention has turned to Arch Manning, the highly touted recruit and nephew of NFL legends Peyton and Eli Manning. Despite limited playing time over the past two seasons, Manning has shown promise. He appeared in 10 games this season, starting two due to Ewers’ injury, and completed 41 of 60 passes for 583 yards and four touchdowns, with one interception. Manning also demonstrated mobility, adding a rushing dimension to his game. Addressing speculation about a potential transfer, Manning firmly stated, “I really have no plans on entering the portal or anything.” citeturn0search0

The synergy between Sarkisian’s leadership and Manning’s commitment positions Texas favorably for the upcoming season. Sarkisian’s decision to remain with the Longhorns ensures continuity in coaching, which is crucial for Manning’s development as he transitions into the starting quarterback role. This stability is expected to bolster the team’s performance and aspirations for a national title.

In summary, Steve Sarkisian’s brief contemplation of external opportunities underscores his deep commitment to the Texas Longhorns. By choosing to stay, he has solidified the program’s trajectory, providing a stable environment for emerging talents like Arch Manning. This alignment of leadership and talent sets the stage for a potentially remarkable season ahead.

navlistSteve Sarkisian’s Commitment and Arch Manning’s Ascension Shape Texas Football’s Futureturn0news29,turn0news30,turn0news27