What did Texas AD say about Desmond Howard's video speculating on Sarkisian's job status?

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After Texas coach Steve Sarkisian’s worst loss as the Longhorns coach at Georgia on Saturday, Sark’s job status has come under a lot of speculation and debate. Has he failed? Will he be relieved? Will he go to the NFL?

ESPN’s Desmond Howard has had the strongest opinion. He thinks Texas will move on from Sarkisian in the offseason.

“Don’t be surprised if that Texas job opens up at the end of the season,” Howard said in the Instagram post. “You guys were shocked when LSU opened up. Imagine how you’re going to feel if that job in Austin pops open. I’m not calling or saying anyone’s going to get fired — maybe a mutual parting of ways, you dig?”

Howard doesn’t give any details as to exactly what he thinks will happen. He doesn’t say Sark will be “fired.” In fact, he may be referring to speculation that Sark will bolt for the NFL as a report in The Athletic claimed last month.

University of Texas Athletic Director Chris Del Conte has responded to Howard’s now viral video. Del Conte, who hired Sarkisian, commented on Howard’s original Instagram post and quoted the post on X (formerly Twitter). The AD made the same comment in both places.

“This is news to me… Thanks for the insight.” – Texas AD Chris Del Conte

Sarkisian is in his fifth season at the helm of Texas. The Longhorn have reached the College Football Playoff semifinals the past two seasons.

Only three active coaches have won a national championship. Ohio State’s Ryan Day and Georgia’s Kirby Smart each took six years to complete the feat. It took Clemson’s Dabo Swinney seven years.

Sarkisian’s most recent contract extention gave him a pay bump and a jump in his buyout from 70% of what is owed on his deal to 85%. Including his $10.8 million salary this season, Sarkisian’s contract pays him $75.8 million through the 2031 season.

If Sarkisian is let go before December, his buyout would be $64.4 million. USA TODAY Sports reports it would go down to $60.3 million after Dec. 1.

If Sarkisian leaves on his own for an NFL head coaching job, he would owe Texas $4 million if he left before the end of the 2025 season. That number drips to $3 million if he leaves before the end of the 2026 season. 

This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Texas AD claps back at Desmond Howard Sarkisian job status speculation

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