Early Saturday, reports emerged suggesting that Texas football coach Steve Sarkisian might consider an NFL coaching opportunity in the upcoming offseason. The news generated significant buzz but was quickly denied by Sarkisian’s agents, Jimmy Sexton and Ed Marynowitz.
Sexton and Marynowitz issued a statement through the Creative Artists Agency’s football social media accounts, acknowledging the reports but labeling them “patently false” and “wildly inaccurate.”
“Any reports regarding communications on coaching opportunities with the NFL teams are patently false and wildly inaccurate,” the statement read. “Sark is solely focused on coaching the University of Texas football team.”
Report from The Athletic Said Sark Was Interested
The report originated from NFL insider Dianna Russini of The Athletic, who suggested that Sarkisian was interested in the open head coaching position with the Tennessee Titans. The Titans dismissed Brian Callahan following a 1-5 start to the 2025 season.
Sarkisian reportedly drew NFL interest last offseason but ultimately reaffirmed his commitment to Texas. He currently earns over $10 million annually, ranking him as the fifth-highest-paid coach in college football.
Sarkisian has never served as an NFL head coach, but he does have league experience. The 51-year-old spent a year as the Oakland Raiders’ quarterbacks coach in 2004 and two seasons as the Atlanta Falcons’ offensive coordinator in 2017 and 2018. The other 26 years of his coaching career have been in college football.
GettySTARKVILLE, MISSISSIPPI – OCTOBER 25: Steve Sarkisian of the Texas Longhorns before the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium on October 25, 2025 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
Sarkisian is under contract with Texas through the 2031 college football season. The Longhorns gave him a raise and added an extra year to his deal ahead of the 2025 season.
Even with Sexton and Marynowitz dismissing the report, Sarkisian remains a figure to watch in the 2025–2026 NFL coaching carousel. Former NFL head coaches Lane Kiffin and Matt Rhule are also among those rumored to be eyeing a move to the league.
NFL Assistant Coaches Seem Primed for Head Coach Job
According to Russini, the following NFL coaches are receiving attention now that the coaching carousel has began and other opportunities are sure to arise.
- Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady
- Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy
- Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo
- Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver
- Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith
- Chargers DC Jesse Minter
- Jaguars DC Anthony Campanile
- Rams DC Chris Shula
- Vikings DC Brian Flores
- Broncos DC Vance Joseph
- Packers DC Jeff Hafley
- 49ers DC Robert Saleh
Handful of NFL Coaches on Hot Seat
Including the opening in Tennessee, there will likely be new head coaches hired in the offseason, meaning many current head coaches are on the hot seat.
No seat may be hotter than Mike McDaniel with the Miami Dolphins, who are 1-6 on the season. After consecutive playoff seasons with records of 9–8 and 11–6 in his first two years, the Dolphins have struggled to a 9–15 mark since. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s performance and leadership have also come under scrutiny, as he continues to throw interceptions and publicly criticize teammates in postgame interviews. If ownership doesn’t view McDaniel as the issue, perhaps they’ll decide to stick with him.
Other coaches reportedly on the hot seat:
- Brian Daboll, New York Giants
- Kevin Stefanski, Cleveland Browns
- Jonathan Gannon, Arizona Cardinals
- Aaron Glenn, New York Jets
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