TL;DR
- Texas Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian denies rumors of leaving, calling them absolutely false.
- Sarkisian states he has had no discussions about leaving Texas with anyone.
- ESPN analyst Desmond Howard suggested the Texas job could open, which Athletic Director Chris Del Conte dismissed.
- Texas has fallen to No. 17 after starting the season ranked No. 1, with a loss to Georgia impacting playoff hopes.
Steve Sarkisian, the Texas Longhorns' coach, dismissed rumors about his future on Wednesday, stating that ongoing reports suggesting he's planning to leave are “absolutely false and untrue.”
Sarkisian stated that while he generally refrains from discussing speculation, he felt it necessary to respond to the most recent rumors due to their possible consequences for athletes, prospective students, and the institution.
“I’m not going anywhere,” he said via ESPN. “I’ve had no discussions — not with my agent, not with the university, not with any other school, not with any NFL team — about ever going anywhere else.”
The pushback comes days after ESPN analyst Desmond Howard posted a video suggesting the Texas job could soon open, calling a late-season split “a mutual parting of ways.” Athletic director Chris Del Conte quickly dismissed the idea, writing, “This is news to me.”
Representatives for Sarkisian had also previously refuted a report from The Athletic that stated the coach had shown interest in possible NFL openings.
Despite beginning the season as the top-ranked team, Texas has fallen to No. 17 in the most recent College Football Playoff standings following their third defeat. A 35-10 loss to Georgia could potentially remove them from contention.
Sarkisian's strong connections to Texas suggest he's unlikely to relocate now. Nevertheless, a compelling opportunity, whether in college or the NFL, would necessitate a difficult choice.
“If you have a question about my future,” he said, “call me or call Chris Del Conte.”
Texas ends the season with Arkansas and No. 3 Texas A&M.
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- Bill Belichick goes viral for awkward handshake after Wake Forest loss
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