Report: Texas coach Steve Sarkisian explores NFL interest

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian is exploring a jump to the NFL, The Athletic reported Saturday.

The report said Sarkisian has let NFL decision makers know he is interested in any head coaching vacancies, including the Tennessee Titans' opening.

Sarkisian reportedly declined interviews with multiple NFL teams in the last hiring cycle prior to agreeing to a new seven-year deal with Texas this winter. The agreement boosted his salary to $10.8 million and locked him in with the Longhorns through the 2031 season.

Sarkisian, 51, previously worked in the NFL as a quarterbacks coach with the then-Oakland Raiders in 2004 and as the offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons from 2017-18.

Having opened as the preseason No. 1 team in the country, Sarkisian's squad suffered a season-opening loss at Ohio State and a defeat at Florida on Oct. 4.

The 22nd-ranked Longhorns (5-2, 2-1 Southeastern Conference) play Saturday at Mississippi State (4-3, 0-3).

Last season, Sarkisian guided Texas to the College Football Playoff semifinals, where the Longhorns fell to Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 10.

Now in his fifth season at Texas, Sarkisian is 43-19, including a Big 12 title win in 2023. Including stops at Washington (2009-13) and USC (2014-15), he is 89-54 as a head coach.

The Titans fired head coach Brian Callahan earlier this month after a 1-5 start. Mike McCoy is the interim coach.

--Field Level Media