Texas coach Steve Sarkisian’s wage will practically double as soon as the college’s Board of Regents approves the phrases of his contract extension. Sarkisian, who made $5.6 million final yr, will see his assured compensation improve to $10.3 million this yr underneath the phrases of the deal, which have been printed upfront of the board’s Feb. 21-22 assembly in Austin, Texas.

By the ultimate yr of Sarkisian’s deal in 2030, his pay will improve to $10.9 million. Additionally included within the contract are efficiency incentives that might whole as a lot as $1.85 million per yr. Most notably, Sarkisian receives $1.25 million if Texas wins the School Soccer Playoff Nationwide Championship. 

Sarkisian ranked No. 30 nationally amongst FBS coaches in whole pay in 2023, in response to USA Right this moment’s wage database. The increase will put him comfortably into the highest 10 and never far behind nationwide title winners Kirby Good of Georgia and Dabo Swinney of Clemson.

Texas introduced final month that Sarkisian had agreed to a four-year contract extension, however the phrases weren’t made public then. Among the many deal’s different perks revealed forward of the Board of Regents assembly are that Sarkisian will obtain 20 hours per yr of personal plane use, two automobiles and a “particular one-time fee” of $300,000 previous to April 1.

Extending Sarkisian’s contract grew to become a precedence as soon as his title grew to become linked with the Alabama job following legendary coach Nick Saban’s retirement. Sarkisian served because the Crimson Tide’s offensive coordinator in 2019 and 2020 underneath Saban earlier than touchdown the Texas job. Alabama turned to former Washington coach Kalen DeBoer as Saban’s successor. 

Sarkisian coached the Longhorns to a Massive 12 championship and School Soccer Playoff look throughout his third season main this system. 

“As we head into the SEC subsequent yr, we’re doing that with quite a lot of momentum, a program we’re extraordinarily pleased with and with an excellent head coach and chief,” Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte mentioned in a press launch. “We knew that Coach Sarkisian was the person for the job once we employed him, and he is confirmed that every step of the way in which. We could not be extra enthusiastic about the place we’re and the place we’re headed, and we’re thrilled that Coach Sark might be our coach for a very long time.”

Although simply 13-12 in his first two seasons, in 2023 Sarkisian delivered this system’s finest season since 2009. Texas gained at Alabama on Sept. 9, catapulting the Longhorns to No. 4 within the AP ballot and establishing the season’s trajectory.

Regardless of a loss in opposition to rival Oklahoma on Oct. 7, Texas cruised to its first convention title since 2009 with a 49-21 drubbing of Oklahoma State within the Massive 12 Championship Sport to safe its place within the School Soccer Playoff. As soon as there, Texas fell 37-31 to Washington in a dramatic Sugar Bowl.

Sarkisian, 49, brings a wealth of expertise to the job, having beforehand served as head coach at Washington and USC, along with his Alabama expertise and a stint as offensive coordinator of the Atlanta Falcons. His offensive pedigree paid dividends in 2023 because the Longhorns ranked No. 9 nationally in whole offense with a balanced assault that produced over 660 yards on two events.

Basis for the long run

Texas is getting into a brand new chapter in its storied historical past this yr because the Longhorns put together to affix the SEC. Along with the uptick in competitors Texas will face within the 16-team tremendous convention, the Longhorns even have a Sept. 7 sport in opposition to reigning nationwide champion Michigan on the schedule.

And with a house sport vs. Georgia on Oct. 19, along with its customary rivalry with Oklahoma, the Longhorns have their work minimize out for them. However the trajectory Sarkisian established in 2023 suggests Texas has some endurance on the nationwide stage.

The Longhorns landed the nation’s No. 6 recruiting class for the 2024 cycle, which adopted a No. 3 ranked class in 2023. Collectively, the inflow of younger expertise will assist this system cope with the departures of underclassmen similar to operating again Jonathon Brooks, receiver Adonai Mitchell, receiver Xavier Worthy and defensive lineman Byron Murphy for the NFL Draft.

Set at quarterback

Star quarterback Quinn Ewers introduced that he’s returning for an additional season after having fun with a breakout 2023 through which he threw for 3,479 yards. Whereas Ewers might be throwing largely to a brand new crop of pass-catchers, his return helps guarantee a excessive flooring for Texas.

Whereas Ewers’ choice delays the timeline for heralded prospect Arch Manning to turn into this system’s beginning quarterback, it offers the Longhorns an skilled and confirmed chief amid the transition to life within the SEC.