Steve Sarkisian has built the Texas Longhorns into a powerhouse, no doubt. But in a game where championships define legacies, even consecutive College Football Playoff semifinal appearances fall short. The Longhorns’ 25-5 record over the past two seasons, a run that would have seemed like a pipe dream during their decade-plus of mediocrity, still leaves them wanting more. The bar is different now. The expectations are sky-high, the SEC is waiting, and patience is running low. NFL teams came calling this offseason, but Sarkisian stayed put—now, the pressure is on like never before.

No denying he is very much appreciated for his loyalty, but for a Horns team frustrated with a back-to-back semifinal loss, it is draining. He stayed put in Austin for a very specific reason. “We’ve got a lot of unfinished business,” he said on Monday, making it clear that he wasn’t going anywhere. His focus? Cementing Texas as a true national title contender, not just a CFP participant. But despite his loyalty, frustration has crept in among Texas insiders.

Amongst them was Locked On SEC Squad’s podcaster Brad Kellner, called out Steve Sarkisian’s inability to get the job done when it matters most. “He’s [Steve Sarkisian] gotten contract extensions and raises in back-to-back years,” Kellner said. “He’s earned those raises, but obviously now he’s got to take the next step.”

That “next step” is clear: a national title, or at least a shot at one. Texas fans have seen enough heartbreak. Kellner pointed directly to Sarkisian’s in-game decisions, blaming him for Texas’ 2023 CFP loss to Washington and questioning his play-calling against the Ohio State Buckeyes in this year’s semifinal at the Cotton Bowl. “You can argue he was the biggest reason why Texas lost,” Kellner continued, bluntly addressing the narrative that has begun to define Sarkisian’s tenure.

“He went from seven-win Sark, which was the anti-Steve Sarkisian moniker, for him for years to now semifinal Sark.” That moniker, while unfair to some, captures the impatience surrounding the program. No one is denying the progress, but in Austin, progress without championships feels like purgatory.

Steve Sarkisian, however, is placing his confidence in himself. He knows what’s at stake, but he also knows the team he has in front of him. “I wasn’t entertaining anything that was beyond making sure that I had a really good job here, and I could solidify the job here, and I could hire the best people I could here, and I could recruit the best players I could here,” he said. And with Arch Manning officially taking over at QB1, optimism is surging.

The former No. 1 overall recruit has the talent and pedigree to be the difference-maker Texas needs. Pair that with a roster stacked with elite recruits and SEC-level physicality, and there’s no reason why Texas shouldn’t be in the mix for the 2025 national title.

No more cruising through. Sarkisian spent two years under Nick Saban at Alabama as offensive coordinator, so he knows what it takes to win at this level. Now, he has to prove it as the man in charge. Sarkisian has taken Texas out of the wilderness, but now comes the hardest part—climbing the final mountain.

Steve Sarkisian on how close he was to leaving Austin

There was plenty of chatter this offseason about Steve Sarkisian potentially making the jump to the NFL. But the Longhorns head coach is staying put in Austin—for one clear reason: unfinished business.

Sarkisian, who previously led Washington (2009-13) and USC (2014-15) before working his way back into a head coaching role, made it clear that Texas was always his endgame. “It was a long journey to get back to this seat, but when I came here, I was very clear in my opening press conference,” Sarkisian said. “I’ve been very clear along the way, (I came) to win championships. The mission’s not complete.”

Despite NFL interest, Sarkisian remains locked in on bringing a national title back to Texas—especially with Manning waiting in the wings. Of course, he’s coached QBs for the Oakland Raiders and run the offense for the Atlanta Falcons, but not everyone’s convinced he’s a slam dunk for the pros. On3’s Andy Staples weighed in on the speculation, saying, “He is interesting. I like the way he’s developed Texas, but I also think … there’s nothing that screams great pro coach versus great college.” For now, Sarkisian’s focus is on Texas—and with the team trending upward.