The Texas Longhorns’ recent 35-10 loss to the Georgia Bulldogs has dented their College Football Playoff hopes. It’s also stirred up fresh questions about the future of their head coach, Steve Sarkisian.
Despite past successes—a Big 12 title, two College Football Playoff appearances—the pressure on Sarkisian is mounting. There are even whispers he might be eyeing a jump to the NFL, and those rumors don’t seem to be fading.
With Texas now sitting at 7-3 and playoff odds slipping to 18.3%, the conversation is starting to shift. Folks are looking beyond the scoreboard and wondering what’s next on the sidelines.
The Impact of the Georgia Loss
Heading into Week 12, Texas was ranked No. 10 and hoping to make a statement against No. 5 Georgia. The game just didn’t go their way.
Even after closing the gap to 14-10 in the third quarter, Texas couldn’t keep it close. Georgia rattled off 21 unanswered points in the fourth, sealing a 35-10 defeat that hit Texas’ playoff hopes hard.
ESPN’s FPI now puts their playoff chances at just 18.3%. That’s a steep drop for a team that had real aspirations a few weeks ago.
Sarkisian’s Record Against Georgia
This latest loss adds to Steve Sarkisian’s struggles against Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs. He’s now 0-3 against Smart, and it’s not going unnoticed.
Sure, Sarkisian has guided Texas to some big moments—a Big 12 title, an SEC championship appearance. But not being able to get past Georgia is starting to stick out on his resume.
Speculation Surrounding Sarkisian’s Future
After the loss, the talk about Sarkisian’s future at Texas picked up steam. Reports are floating around that he might be interested in NFL head coaching jobs.
This rumor actually started before Texas’ October 25 game against Mississippi State. The Athletic’s Dianna Russini mentioned Sarkisian’s supposed interest in the NFL, though he called those claims “ridiculous” and said they really bothered him.
Still, the chatter hasn’t gone away. People love a good coaching rumor, don’t they?
Desmond Howard’s Take
ESPN’s Desmond Howard has weighed in, suggesting that a split between Sarkisian and Texas could be mutual. He’s not calling it a firing—more like both sides quietly agreeing it’s time to move on.
That idea seems to be catching on, especially with expectations at Texas being sky-high. Sometimes, a fresh start just makes sense, even if nobody says it out loud.
Contract Details and Financial Implications
There’s also the matter of Sarkisian’s contract. According to Danny Davis of the Austin Statesman, he’s got six years left and is owed about $70 million.
But here’s the kicker—if Sarkisian leaves on his own, the buyout drops to just $10 million. That’s a big difference, and it might make a departure a lot easier for everyone involved.
Fan Expectations and Pressure
It’s not just the administration feeling the heat—fans are getting restless too. A year ago, Sarkisian had their full backing, but things have changed.
With Texas starting the 2025 season as the No. 1 team in the country, folks are expecting a title run every year now. That’s a lot to live up to, and the pressure is obvious.
Upcoming Game Against Arkansas
Amid all the speculation, Texas is gearing up to host Arkansas (2-8) on Saturday. The game kicks off on ABC at 3:30 p.m. ET, and it’s a chance for Texas to find their footing again.
But let’s be honest—the talk about Sarkisian’s future isn’t going anywhere, at least not yet.
For more details and updates, check out the full article on Athlon Sports.
Conclusion
The Texas Longhorns are at a crossroads right now. Their immediate playoff hopes hang in the balance, and so does the future of head coach Steve Sarkisian.
The recent loss to Georgia has set off even more questions about Sarkisian’s tenure at Texas. There’s a lot of speculation swirling around, and honestly, it’s hard to ignore.
The upcoming game against Arkansas? That’s a shot at redemption. But no matter the outcome, people will keep talking about whether Sarkisian stays in Austin or looks for something new.
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