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Texas didn’t wait long to hire Tom Herman’s replacement, as the Longhorns announced on Saturday that they had reached a deal with Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian.
Sarkisian, who won the Broyles Award for Best FBS Assistant, will stay with No.1 Crimson Tide to train against No.3 Ohio State at the College Football National Playoffs presented by AT&T on Jan.11 (8 p.m. ET, ESPN / ESPN App), sources told ESPN.
“This is a unique and compelling opportunity to take this legendary program to the next level, once again competing among the best in college football,” Sarkisian said of joining the Longhorns.
The Longhorns’ announcement came about five hours after the school unexpectedly said it had fired Herman, who had 32-18 in Texas and 7-3 this season, which culminated in a victory over the Colorado at the Valero Alamo Bowl Tuesday.
Sarkisian, who earns $ 2.5 million per season on Nick Saban’s staff with the Crimson Tide, turned down an interview with Auburn in his search for a head coach last month and turned down the head coach job from Colorado last year.
He is the first assistant coach hired by Texas to lead their program since 1951, when the Longhorns promoted Ed Price to the job.
Texas did not immediately release details of the Sarkisian deal. The Longhorns will owe Herman around $ 15 million to buy out the final three years of his contract. The Longhorns will still need another $ 10 million to buy out the remaining contracts for his assistants, which are guaranteed over several years.
“The hiring of Steve Sarkisian represents a vital investment in the future of our football program, not only for our student-athletes but for the entire Longhorn Nation,” said University President Jay Hartzell. “Our entire community benefits from a healthy and successful athletics program, and appointing Steve as a coach infuses our football program with the guidance and expertise necessary to lead to further success.”
Sarkisian, 46, was USC quarterbacks coach on Jan. 4, 2006, when Vince Young led the Longhorns to a 41-38 victory for USC No.1 at the BCS National Championship at the Rose Bowl, putting end to the victory of the Trojans in 34 games. trail. It was Texas’ first national title since 1970.
“There has always been something special about Longhorn football, its history and traditions – not just that day – and I could never have imagined that 15 years later I would join the Longhorns as a ‘head coach,’ Sarkisian said.
Sarkisian coached Heisman Trophy winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC and all-star quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones at Alabama. He went 46-35 combined during coaching periods at USC and Washington.
His tenure at USC ended badly when then-athletic director Pat Haden fired him due to reported drinking problems. At the time, ESPN reported that Haden had placed Sarkissian on a zero tolerance policy regarding alcohol consumption. He entered rehab after his dismissal.
Sarkisian worked as the offensive coordinator for the NFL Atlanta Falcons in 2017 and ’18 before returning to Alabama in 2019.
“Steve Sarkisian is one of the best offensive minds in football, which he has proven time and time again during his time at USC, Atlanta and most recently in Alabama,” said the Texas athletic director. , Chris Del Conte, in a statement. “We are confident that our players and coaches will thrive under his leadership and in response to his energy and passion for football.”
This will be the sixth time that Alabama have played for a national championship with a coordinator en route to a head coach position, dating back to 2011, when offensive coordinator Jim McElwain accepted the Colorado State position.
Texas and Alabama are set to play a home series in 2022 and 2023.
ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg and Chris Low contributed to this report.
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