Steve Sarkisian Career, Coaching Journey and Texas Football Success

Steve Sarkisian is a well-known American college football coach whose career has included major roles at Washington, USC, Alabama, and Texas. Known for his offensive expertise and quarterback development, Sarkisian has built a long coaching career that spans more than two decades.

Since becoming the head coach of the Texas Longhorns in 2021, Sarkisian has overseen a major transformation of the program. Texas reached the College Football Playoff in consecutive seasons in 2023 and 2024, while the team also moved from the Big 12 into the Southeastern Conference (SEC).

His journey to Texas was shaped by experience as both a player and coach. Before becoming a head coach, he worked with quarterbacks and offenses at several programs, including USC and Alabama.

Who Is Steve Sarkisian?

Steve Sarkisian is a college football coach from Torrance, California. He currently serves as the head football coach at the University of Texas. The university’s 2026 coaching staff continues to list him in that role.

Sarkisian first developed his football career as a quarterback. He played at El Camino College before transferring to Brigham Young University (BYU). At BYU, he became one of the school’s notable passers during the mid-1990s.

After his playing career, he moved into coaching and eventually developed a reputation for offensive planning, play-calling, and quarterback development.

Steve Sarkisian’s Playing Career

Before becoming a coach, Sarkisian was a quarterback at the college and professional levels.

At BYU, he played during the 1995 and 1996 seasons. According to Texas Athletics, he completed 549 of 824 passes for 7,755 yards and 55 touchdowns. In 1996, he led the nation in passing efficiency and helped BYU win the Western Athletic Conference championship.

His accomplishments earned him WAC Offensive Player of the Year honors and second-team All-America recognition.

After college, Sarkisian played professionally for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League from 1997 through 1999. His playing experience later became an important part of his coaching background.

How Steve Sarkisian Started Coaching

Sarkisian began his coaching career in 2000 as a quarterbacks coach at El Camino College. He then joined USC, where he worked with quarterbacks and later took on increasingly important offensive responsibilities.

His early coaching career helped establish his reputation as an offensive-minded coach who could develop quarterbacks and design productive passing attacks.

His coaching experience included roles with:

• El Camino College
• USC
• Oakland Raiders
• Washington
• Alabama
• Atlanta Falcons
• Texas

This combination of college and professional football experience helped prepare him for head coaching responsibilities.

Steve Sarkisian at Washington

Sarkisian became the head coach of the Washington Huskies in 2009. He remained in the position through the 2013 season.

During his Washington tenure, the team made five consecutive bowl appearances according to Texas Athletics. His overall head-coaching record at Washington was 34-29.

His time in Seattle was an important stage in his development as a head coach. It gave him experience managing an entire college football program, recruiting players, and building an offensive identity.

His Time at USC

Sarkisian returned to USC as head coach in 2014 after previously serving on the school’s coaching staff.

In his first season as head coach, USC finished 9-4 and earned a Holiday Bowl victory. His second season ended after five games, with the university’s records listing a 3-2 record for 2015.

Although his USC tenure was relatively short, the position added another major program to his coaching résumé.

Steve Sarkisian and Alabama

One of the most important stages of Sarkisian’s coaching career came at Alabama.

He joined Alabama’s staff and eventually became offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. In 2020, Alabama won the national championship, defeating Ohio State in the College Football Playoff championship game.

Texas Athletics notes that Alabama’s offense scored at least 35 points in 24 consecutive games during Sarkisian’s offensive-coordinator tenure, a remarkable run of offensive production.

His success at Alabama strengthened his reputation as one of college football’s prominent offensive coaches and helped lead to his return to a head-coaching position.

When Did Steve Sarkisian Become Texas Head Coach?

Sarkisian became the Texas head coach in 2021.

His first season ended with Texas at 5-7, but the program improved to 8-5 in 2022. The biggest breakthrough came in 2023, when Texas finished 12-2, won the Big 12 Championship, and reached the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history.

The progression demonstrated how quickly the program developed under his leadership.

Texas’ Progress Under Sarkisian

The University of Texas lists Sarkisian’s Texas record entering the 2026 season at 48-20.

Texas Football Under Sarkisian

Sarkisian’s Texas tenure has been notable for improvements in recruiting, player development, and overall team performance.

The 2023 season was particularly important. Texas won the Big 12 Championship and reached the College Football Playoff semifinal. The following season, Texas moved into the SEC and again reached the CFP semifinal.

Texas also produced a large number of NFL Draft selections during this period. According to the university, the Longhorns had 11 players selected in the 2024 seven-round NFL Draft and 12 selected in 2025.

These results have made player development one of the major parts of Sarkisian’s tenure.

What Makes Steve Sarkisian’s Coaching Style Notable?

Sarkisian has built his reputation primarily around offensive football.

Several elements stand out in his coaching background:

Offensive Expertise

His experience as an offensive coordinator at Alabama and USC gave him extensive experience designing offensive systems and developing quarterbacks.

Quarterback Development

Sarkisian has coached quarterbacks at multiple levels. His own experience as a college quarterback also gives him a playing background that connects closely with this area of coaching.

Recruiting and Player Development

Texas has emphasized recruiting and player development during Sarkisian’s tenure. The program’s recent NFL Draft results provide one measurable example of that development.

Experience at Major Programs

His résumé includes coaching positions at several prominent football programs, including USC, Alabama, and Texas. That experience has given him exposure to different team structures and competitive environments.

Steve Sarkisian’s Education

Sarkisian earned an associate’s degree in general studies from  Steve Sarkisian  El Camino College in 1994. He later earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from BYU in 1997.

His education followed his early playing career and came before his transition into full-time coaching.

Steve Sarkisian’s Career Record

According to the University of Texas, Sarkisian entered the 2026 season with a 94-55 overall record as a college head coach. His Texas record was 48-20.

His head-coaching experience includes Washington, USC, and Texas.

The progression of his career shows how he moved from quarterback coaching and offensive coordination into leadership of major college football programs.

Steve Sarkisian in 2026

As of the 2026 Texas football staff listing, Sarkisian remains the head coach of the Longhorns.

Texas enters the 2026 season following three consecutive 10-win seasons. The university says Sarkisian’s teams reached the College Football Playoff in both 2023 and 2024 and recorded a 10-3 season with a Citrus Bowl victory in 2025.

His continued role makes him one of the central figures in the current Texas football program.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Steve Sarkisian?

Steve Sarkisian is an American college football coach and the head football coach at the University of Texas.

What team does Steve Sarkisian coach?

Sarkisian is the head coach of the Texas Longhorns. The university’s 2026 football staff lists him as head coach.

When did Steve Sarkisian become Texas head coach?

He became Texas’ head coach in 2021.

Did Steve Sarkisian coach at Alabama?

Yes. He served as Alabama’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach before becoming the Texas head coach.

Did Steve Sarkisian play football?

Yes. Sarkisian played quarterback at El Camino College and BYU and later played professionally for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the Canadian Football League.

What is Steve Sarkisian known for?

He is particularly known for offensive coaching, quarterback development, recruiting, and leading the Texas program through its transition into the SEC.

Conclusion

Steve Sarkisian’s football career has developed across several different roles, from college quarterback to professional player, assistant coach, offensive coordinator, and head coach.

His work at Washington and USC provided valuable head-coaching experience, while his time at Alabama strengthened his reputation as an offensive strategist. At Texas, his teams have produced major results, including a Big 12 championship, consecutive College Football Playoff appearances, and three straight 10-win seasons through 2025.

For readers searching for information about Steve Sarkisian, his career provides a useful example of how playing experience, offensive coaching, recruiting, and long-term program development can combine to shape a successful college football coach.