Steve Sarkisian is one of the most recognizable names in college football today, currently serving as head coach of the Texas Longhorns. From a college quarterback to a Super Bowl-caliber offensive mind, his coaching career spans two decades, three major programs, and an NFL stint. This article breaks down his football journey, coaching record, and current standing in the sport.
Biography Table
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Stephen Ambrose Sarkisian |
| Date of Birth | March 8, 1974 |
| Place of Birth | Torrance, California, U.S. |
| Age | 52 |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession/Occupation | Football Coach (former Quarterback) |
| Years Active | 1997–present |
| Education | El Camino College, Brigham Young University (BYU) |
| Current Role | Head Coach, Texas Longhorns |
| Career Record (Head Coach) | 93–55 overall (89–50 regular season, 4–5 postseason) |
| Notable Awards | Big 12 Coach of the Year (2023), Broyles Award (2020), PFF Offensive Coordinator of the Year (2020) |
Early Life and College Football Career
Steve Sarkisian was born on March 8, 1974, in Torrance, California, and attended West High School before beginning his college football journey. He first played at El Camino College from 1993 to 1994, then transferred to BYU, where he became a standout quarterback.
At BYU, Sarkisian had a breakout senior season in 1996, leading the nation in passer rating and completion percentage. That year he also won the Sammy Baugh Trophy and was named WAC Offensive Player of the Year — accolades that laid the foundation for his post-playing career in coaching.
After going undrafted in the 1997 CFL draft, he played briefly for the Saskatchewan Roughriders from 1997 to 1999 before transitioning into coaching, a path that would define the rest of his football life.
Rise Through the Coaching Ranks
Sarkisian’s coaching career began at El Camino College in 2000, followed by a quarterbacks coach role at USC from 2001 to 2003, where the Trojans won a national championship in 2003. He briefly worked with the Oakland Raiders in 2004 before returning to USC.
Between 2005 and 2008, he held increasingly senior roles at USC, eventually becoming assistant head coach, offensive coordinator, and quarterbacks coach — a stretch that included multiple Pac-10 championships and established him as one of the sport’s rising offensive minds.
This period was critical in shaping his reputation: Sarkisian wasn’t just calling plays, he was mentoring quarterbacks who went on to have strong professional and collegiate careers, cementing his status as an offensive strategist.
Head Coaching Stints: Washington and USC
Sarkisian got his first head coaching job at the University of Washington in 2009, a role he held through the 2013 season. He then returned to USC as head coach for the 2014 and 2015 seasons.
These years were a mixed bag professionally — building programs from a rebuilding phase while managing the pressure of leading a marquee football brand. It’s a phase of his career often cited in his broader coaching arc, as it tested his resilience as a program leader rather than just a coordinator.
NFL and Alabama: Rebuilding a Coaching Career
Following his USC exit, Sarkisian took a step back from head coaching and joined Alabama in 2016 as an offensive assistant, later becoming interim offensive coordinator. This period marked a career reset that many coaches don’t recover from — but Sarkisian did.
He moved to the NFL in 2017, serving as offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons through 2018. He then returned to Alabama from 2019 to 2020 as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, a stint that produced a national championship in 2020 and earned him the prestigious Broyles Award and PFF Offensive Coordinator of the Year honors.
This Alabama chapter is widely regarded as the turning point that rebuilt his coaching credibility and set up his return to a head coaching seat.
Steve Sarkisian at Texas: Building a Championship Contender
In 2021, Sarkisian was hired as head coach of the Texas Longhorns, a move that raised eyebrows at the time but has since proven transformative for the program. As of the 2026 season, he is entering his sixth year leading Texas.
Under Sarkisian, Texas won the Big 12 championship in 2023 — the program’s first conference title in over a decade — and earned back-to-back trips to the College Football Playoff semifinals. He was named AP Big 12 Coach of the Year in 2023 and has since been ranked among the top 10 coaches in college football by analysts at PFF.
The 2025 season ended with a 10-3 record, and despite beating rivals and other ranked teams by wide margins, the year was generally viewed as a disappointment after Texas began the season ranked No. 1 and missed the Playoff. Heading into 2026, expectations remain sky-high, with Texas ranked in the top five nationally and Sarkisian entering his sixth season as head coach.
Coaching Philosophy and Reputation
Sarkisian is known primarily as an offensive-minded coach, with a career built on quarterback development and play-calling. He has acknowledged shifting more defensive responsibility to his coordinators in recent seasons so he can focus on the areas of the game he’s strongest in.
His career reflects a broader lesson in coaching resilience — two head coaching stops that ended without a title, a personal low point, and then a rebuild through assistant roles that eventually led to sustained success at the highest level of college football.
FAQs
What is Steve Sarkisian’s coaching record?
As of the most recent tally, Sarkisian holds a career head coaching record of 93 wins and 55 losses (89–50 in the regular season, 4–5 in the postseason) across his stints at Washington, USC, and Texas.
Which teams has Steve Sarkisian coached?
He has coached at El Camino College, USC, the University of Washington, Alabama, the Atlanta Falcons (NFL), and is currently the head coach at Texas.
Did Steve Sarkisian play football professionally?
Yes. He played quarterback at BYU and briefly in the Canadian Football League for the Saskatchewan Roughriders from 1997 to 1999 before shifting into coaching.
What has Steve Sarkisian achieved at Texas?
He led Texas to a Big 12 championship in 2023, back-to-back College Football Playoff semifinal appearances, and was named AP Big 12 Coach of the Year the same year.
Is Steve Sarkisian considered a top college football coach?
Yes, he has been ranked among the top 10 coaches in college football by outlets like Pro Football Focus, largely due to his offensive track record and Texas’s resurgence under his leadership.
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