Not everyone gets to have the “best job in America,” but that might be why some of the biggest names in college football are eyeing a future in the pros. From Deion Sanders to Lincoln Riley, the coaching carousel is spinning fast, and NFL whispers are getting louder. It’s not just players making the leap to the NFL; coaches see the pros as a shiny upgrade too. But not everyone is tempted. Steve Sarkisian, for one, is staying put.

He recently inked a massive contract extension with Texas, locking him in through the 2031 season. His paycheck? A cool $10.8 million this year, rising to a jaw-dropping $12.3 million by the final year. With that kind of money on the table, who’s walking away? Sure, Sark’s name always pops up in NFL rumor mills, but he’s making it clear: his heart is in Austin.

On a recent episode of the Up & Adams Show, Kay Adams went straight for it, putting Sark on the spot about the swirling NFL rumors. “I heard your name a lot this offseason—a lot of teams interested, a lot of organizations, a lot of ownership. Why was it important for you to stay here, and was it a no-brainer, have-to-be-here decision?” she asked.

The buzz around Sark has been growing, especially after a solid season in Austin. And let’s not forget—Sark isn’t exactly new to the NFL. Back in 2004, he was the Oakland Raiders’ quarterbacks coach. Then, in 2017 and 2018, he took charge of the Atlanta Falcons’ offense as their coordinator before heading back to college football with Alabama and eventually Texas.

But despite the rumors, Sarkisian didn’t hesitate to shut things down. “I really think I have the best job in America,” he said. “And I know that’s easy to say because I’m sitting in the chair now, but I said this to my dad like 30 years ago. He asked me, ‘What’s the best job?’ And I said, ‘The University of Texas.’” That’s not just coach speak—that’s loyalty. And judging by his passion and commitment, Sark isn’t going anywhere.

Sarkisian reflected on his journey and why extending his contract was a no-brainer. “You know, and I went through all these reasons. And for this thing to go full circle, and I’m here now, and to build the program from where we were—we were 5 and 7 in year one. And it was tough—six-game losing streak, no draft picks, like really poor,” Sark recalled. But the turnaround? Oh, it was real.

Well, Sark’s time at Texas has been nothing short of impressive. Since 2021, he’s compiled a solid 38-17 record. He led the Longhorns to the CFP semifinals in both 2023 and 2024, clinched the Big 12 championship in 2023, and even in their first year in the SEC this past season, his team finished as conference runner-up. Sark is clearly proud of what his team has accomplished. “And then year two, we get to 8 and 5, Bijan (Robinson) goes in the first round, like we’re starting to build a little momentum. Year three, you know, we make it to the College Football Semifinals. We break the school record for draft picks with 11 draft picks. Year four, we go to the semis again,” Sark added.

From struggling to thriving, Sark has built something special at Texas. Fourteen Longhorns got invites to the NFL Combine—that’s the second-most in the nation. And let’s not overlook 25 draft picks in just two years. Texas isn’t just building talent; they’re making history. Back-to-back trips to the College Football Playoff semifinals prove that the Longhorns are back where they belong—among the elite.

But beyond the success and the draft picks, there’s one more reason Sark is staying in Austin: his future QB1, Arch Manning.

Steve Sarkisian’s take on Arch Manning

Arch Manning might be the biggest name in college football, and he’s barely even played. Despite throwing only 95 passes in the NCAA, his star power is undeniable. Major brands like Red Bull and Panini have already secured NIL deals with him, pushing his NIL valuation to a jaw-dropping $6.5 million, according to On3. That makes him the most valuable player in college football right now.

Coming out of Isidore Newman as a five-star prospect, landing Arch seemed like an uphill battle. The Manning family ran a tight, no-drama recruitment to keep the media circus at bay. But, surprisingly, Sark described the process as “normal.” “It was the most normal recruiting process. I’ve recruited a lot of QBs in my time and had some great ones, and they can be difficult. They can be tough. But, with Arch, it was so normal. Great family, great home life,” Sarkisian shared.

And Sark isn’t shy about his excitement for Manning. He even joked that Arch has “more swag than his uncles”—a playful jab but also high praise. Beyond the swagger, Sark sees real potential. He compared Arch’s athleticism to his grandfather, Archie Manning, who was second in QB rushing yards during his time as a starter. “He’s got the athleticism of his grandpa,” Sark noted.

But the biggest compliment? Sark said Arch “instills belief” in his teammates, the Texas program, and the fan base. That’s exactly what you want in a future QB1. As the spotlight focuses more on Manning, the question remains: can he live up to the name? Sarkisian seems confident. With loyalty to Texas, a booming program, and a star QB in the making, Sark’s decision to stay in Austin looks like a no-brainer.