TL;DR
- Texas Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian denies all rumors about his departure, calling them false.
- Sarkisian states he has had no discussions about leaving Texas for any other opportunity.
- ESPN analyst Desmond Howard suggested Sarkisian's job might open, which Athletic Director Chris Del Conte dismissed.
- Despite recent losses, Sarkisian emphasizes his commitment to the Texas program and its athletes.
Texas Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian rejected speculation about his future on Wednesday, saying persistent reports that he is eyeing an exit 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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