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Texas officially announces Steve Sarkisian as next head coach

Scott Schultz

By Scott Schultz

Published:

With the ink on the headline for No. 1 Alabama’s 31-14 Rose Bowl victory over Notre Dame barely dry, it was announced on Saturday that Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian will be looking at a new challenge in 2021.

Shortly after Texas fired head coach Tom Herman, the Longhorns announced that Sarkisian will be their new head coach.

Sarkisian is a former head coach at Washington and USC, and has served as the last four seasons as OC for both Bama and the Atlanta Falcons of the NFL. He spent seven seasons as a head coach in the Pac-12, first at Washington from 2009-13, and then USC from 2014-15). He posted a 34-29 overall record, 24-21 in the Pac-12 with the Huskies, leading the program to four bowl games in five seasons.

The Longhorns initially said Herman would remain coach in mid-December, but on Saturday surprisingly announced that Herman was out after four seasons with the team, and that Sarkisian was his replacement.

“Hiring Steve Sarkisian represents a critical investment in our football program’s future, not just for our student-athletes, but for all of Longhorn Nation,” UT president Jay Hartzell said in a statement. “Our entire community benefits from a healthy and successful athletics program, and naming Steve as our coach infuses our football program with the necessary guidance and expertise to drive further success.”

Sarkisian will coach his final game on the Alabama sideline on Monday, Jan. 11 when the Crimson Tide take on No. 4 Ohio State in the CFP National Championship Game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00PM.

Scott Schultz

Scott Schultz covers Michigan State Football, along with Breaking News for B1G Football & Basketball for Saturday Tradition. He also serves as an Automotive News Editor & Writer, and Softball Writer elsewhere on the web. Follow him on Twitter @SRSchultz.