Steve Sarkisian buyout, contract details: How much it would cost Texas to move on amid sudden slide

news A 2nd straight loss to an unranked challenger has the temperature level increasing in Austin

Oct 17, 2026

at 4:14 pm ET

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The Texas Longhorns made some regrettable history on Saturday, ending up being the very first program considering that 1961 to be ranked No. 1 in the AP survey and after that lose back-to-back video games to unranked challengers.

After blowing a lead in the Red River Rivalry versus Oklahoma, Texas leapt out to another huge first-half lead versus Florida on Saturday before the Gators, led by backup quarterback Tramell Jones, installed a return for a win in Austin that has the temperature level increasing under Steve Sarkisian.

Sark was brought into Texas to do 2 things. The very first was to raise the flooring and make them a regularly great football group. That he’s achieved, going 35-8 in his last 3 seasons.

The 2nd thing he was expected to do as soon as he raised the flooring was to turn Texas into a seasonal title competitor. That has yet to occur regardless of being ranked No. 1 in the AP survey at various points in each of the last 2 seasons, and the Longhorns as soon as again appear headed towards a year outside the country’s elite tier at 4-2.

There is a concern of whether Sarkisian is the coach to get Texas to that last action required to win their very first nationwide title in 20 years, however if Texas had an interest in making a modification, it ‘d cost the Longhorns boosters a dreadful great deal of cash.

news Steve Sarkisian buyout, agreement information

Sarkisian got a brand-new agreement in 2025 that extended his period through 2031 and raised his wage to among the greatest in college footballIncluding this season, Sarkisian’s agreement is for 6 more years and simply over $70 million. His buyout requires him to be paid 85% of his staying agreement balance, which would indicate Texas would be on the hook for $50.15 million after the conclusion of the 2026 season.

That would not be the greatest agreement buyout in history– or perhaps the state of Texas– however it would still remain in the leading 5 of the most significant buyouts ever. To pay that much, it would need Texas to not simply be irritated with Sarkisian, however to be totally encouraged he can’t get the Longhorns to the peak of the sport.

Texas would likewise need to be particular they have a much better coach lined up, and while they have the resources to lure any coach in the nation, there isn’t an apparent option for the Longhorns.

Currently, 2 losses do not doom Texas from being a College Football Playoff group. Offered their win over Ohio State, they might effectively end up being the first string to make it with 3 losses, however if Sarkisian’s Longhorns were to miss out on the playoff completely, provided where they sought Week 5, maybe the chatter that exists mainly in aggravation online might become a genuine expedition of their alternatives in Austin.