Steve Sarkisian is kicking off a new era, and he’s all about how “Our culture has won us games.” The Longhorns have been meticulously building that culture, blending strategic recruitment moves with the financial might of the NIL era, all while sharpening their edge for the challenges of SEC competition. At the center of this evolution is Arch Manning, stepping into the spotlight as a key figure in the revamped offense. His rise isn’t just a personal triumph—it’s a deliberate move to solidify Texas’ foundation for the battles ahead. But beyond the roster shifts and tactical adjustments, Sarkisian’s latest admission about his Texas job puts all speculation about his coaching future to rest.

On the March 19th episode of “Off the Edge” podcast, Cam Jordan sat down with Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian for a live discussion. During their conversation, Jordan pressed Sark on what it’s like to lead a powerhouse program like Texas. Here, Sark didn’t hesitate to express his enthusiasm and said, “It’s been, it’s been an amazing experience. You know, I am. I’ve been a head coach three times now at three really pretty incredible places—University of Washington, USC, and then to get this opportunity to be at Texas, which, in my opinion, is the best job in the country, hands down.”

Right now, Sarkisian’s words leave no doubt—he sees Texas as the pinnacle of CFB coaching. He’s fully locked in on taking the Longhorns to the top. And to drive his point home, he doubled down on his stance, stating, “From not only the history and tradition of the University of Texas, the education, the school, but to be in Austin. We’re 2 million people, no pro sports, so all this stuff that’s happening, and it’s still about UT, it’s still about what we’re doing on the 40 Acres, absolutely.” So, honestly, for Sarkisian, Texas isn’t just another job—it’s the best job in the country. The city, the fans, and the program’s legacy and culture make it a one-of-a-kind football powerhouse, and he’s determined to cement his name in that legacy. While Sarkisian isn’t going anywhere—his contract extension locks him in at Texas for the long haul.

In February 2024, his base salary saw a massive jump from $5.8M to $10.3M, marking his second extension in just two years. This extension keeps him under contract through 2031. As of now, the Longhorns are all in on Sark. There seems to be no grey area between the burnt orange and white, and he is big on his vision for the program. Texas also believes Sarkisian is the man to lead them to the top. Since taking over for Tom Herman four seasons ago, Sarkisian has built Texas into a powerhouse. With a 38-17 record, back-to-back CFP appearances, and a program on the rise, his impact is undeniable.

At 51, Sark brings a wealth of experience, including an NFL stint as the Falcons’ OC (2017-2018) and a role coaching the Raiders’ QBs in 2004. Let’s be real, his success at Texas, combined with his NFL background, make him a prime candidate for pro coaching jobs. But instead of chasing the NFL, Sarkisian is all in on leading the Longhorns to glory.

Steve Sarkisian’s pro-level temptations

As expected, Steve Sarkisian drew NFL interest—and it appears the offers were real. Bret McMurphy of The Action Network reports Sarkisian rejected interview requests from a couple of NFL teams. When he met with local media on March 10 for the first time since the 2024 season ended, the question was inevitable; why did he choose to stay at Texas instead of entertaining those NFL opportunities?

Sarkisian made his priorities clear—Texas is where his focus remains, and his answer was firm. “We’ve got a lot of unfinished business. So 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,” said Sarkisian.

To be honest, his commitment to the Longhorns is undeniable. And Sarkisian takes pride in the foundation he’s built at Texas, but he knows the job isn’t finished. For him, success isn’t about a single season—it’s about sustained dominance. “I didn’t ever want to be a program that was a one-hit wonder, that was able to do it one year and then just fall off. I think we’ve built this thing in a way that we’ve been consistently growing,” said the HC.

To be honest, his vision is clear—Texas isn’t just aiming for the top; they’re building to stay there. He went from a seven-win Sark to a semi-finals Sark all thanks to his tenure with the Longhorns. Now, with his new QB1, the young Manning will build on the culture, legacy, and achieve his vision.