UT Austin: Steve Sarkisian Named Head Football Coach

mlns='> [View this email in a web page]( [The University of Texas at Austin Office of the President]( [The University of Texas at Austin Seal] Dear Longhorns, In our first message of 2021, we’re excited to share with you the news that we have hired Steve Sarkisian as our head football coach, replacing Tom Herman. Please see our official announcement below, released just moments ago. Coach Sarkisian joins us from Alabama, where, as the offensive coordinator, he has helped lead the Crimson Tide to an SEC Championship and to the College Football Playoff final. He brings with him extensive assistant and head coaching experience gained during the past two decades, and earlier this week, he was awarded the Broyles Award, given annually to the top assistant coach in college. We all firmly believe that Steve Sarkisian is the right coach to help our football program to achieve its goals and regain its leadership position in the conference and nationally. Please join us in welcoming Steve to The University of Texas and Longhorn Nation! Hook 'em! Kevin Eltife Chairman of the Board of Regents The University of Texas System Jay Hartzell President The University of Texas at Austin Chris Del Conte Vice President and Athletics Director The University of Texas at Austin  [The University of Texas at Austin What Starts Here Changes the World]  Texas Longhorns Name Steve Sarkisian Head Football Coach Jan 2, 2021 [Photo of VP and Athletics Director Chris Del Conte, Board of Regents Chairman Kevin Eltife, Head Coach Steve Sarkisian, Loreal Sarkisian, and President Jay Hartzell] Pictured from left to right: VP and Athletics Director Chris Del Conte, Board of Regents Chairman Kevin Eltife, Head Coach Steve Sarkisian, Loreal Sarkisian, and President Jay Hartzell AUSTIN, Texas – The University of Texas at Austin has named Steve Sarkisian, currently offensive coordinator for the Alabama Crimson Tide, head coach of the Longhorn football team. He replaces Tom Herman, who was released earlier today. Sarkisian has a strong track record as both an offensive coordinator and head coach in both Division I college football and the NFL. He also brings to the Longhorn football program extensive experience coaching in conference and national championship games and developing top talent, including three Heisman Trophy finalists. “On Jan. 4, 2006, I was the USC quarterback coach when we played Texas in that famed national championship game. There has always been something special about Longhorn football, its history and traditions – not just on that day – and I could never have imagined that 15 years later, I would join the Longhorns as their head coach,” Sarkisian commented. “This is a unique and compelling opportunity to lead this storied program to the next level, competing once again amongst the best in college football.” Sarkisian was just this week named the Broyles Award winner, awarded to the top college football assistant coach, as he has helped lead the Crimson Tide to compete for the 2020 national championship. “We are excited to have Steve Sarkisian join us and lead the next chapter of our football program,” said Kevin Eltife, chairman of the UT System Board of Regents. “University of Texas football has a long and proud history of competing at the highest levels within our conference and nationally, and he brings with him the coaching caliber and championship experience needed to restore this kind of excellence to our program.” President Jay Hartzell said: “Hiring Steve Sarkisian represents a critical investment in our football program’s future, not just for our student-athletes, but for all of Longhorn Nation. Our entire community benefits from a healthy and successful athletics program, and naming Steve as our coach infuses our football program with the necessary guidance and expertise to drive further success.” Prior to joining Alabama in 2019, Sarkisian spent two years as offensive coordinator with the Atlanta Falcons, four years as an assistant and two as head coach at the University of Southern California, and five years as head coach at the University of Washington. His head coaching record is 46-35 overall and 2-2 in bowl games. “Steve Sarkisian is one of the top offensive minds in the game of football, which he has proved over and over during his time with USC, Atlanta, and most recently, Alabama,” said Chris Del Conte, vice president and athletics director of The University of Texas at Austin. “We are confident our players and coaches will thrive under his leadership and in response to his energy and passion for the game.” [Ⓒ The University of Texas at Austin 110 Inner Campus Drive Stop G3400, Austin Texas 78712-3400]( Office of the President - Longhorn Nation To opt out of future emails from the President, [click here to unsubscribe.]( [Click here to update your contact information.](