The Athletic‘s Diana Russini dropped a bombshell on Saturday morning, citing that the Titans’ head coach vacancy drew interest from an unexpected source. Could the head coach of the vaunted and prestigious University of Texas leap to the unforgiving NFL from his cushy job in Austin? There’s a possibility that the increasing demands from NIL, recruiting, gladhanding boosters, and transfer portal can wear thin. Many assistants/head coaches have flocked to the league at the first opportunity to have a semblance of work-life balance. Multiple college head coaches, including several GOATs in their profession, retired to enjoy more leisurely pursuits.
I’m told that representatives for Texas coach Steve Sarkisian have let NFL decision makers know that he would be interested in potential head coaching openings, including the Titans’. pic.twitter.com/WhBmN28ela
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) October 25, 2025
Tennessee Titans Job Drawing Interest From Unexpected Source
Who is Sark?
Sarkisian’s prior head coaching experience comes exclusively from the college ranks. He previously served as quarterbacks coach for Pete Carroll’s potent USC offense, mentoring Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart. Sark briefly served as the Raiders QB coach in 2004 before returning to USC. Interestingly, he replaced colleague Lane Kiffin, who left USC for the Raiders’ open head-coaching vacancy in 2007. All roads lead back to Los Angeles, as Sark returned from his stint with the Washington Huskies (2009-13) to take over a listless USC program. However, his LA tenure lasted just over 1.5 seasons due to poor team performance and off-field allegations of alcohol use.
He then landed on his feet with Nick Saban at Alabama in 2016, serving as offensive coordinator after Kiffin’s departure to FAU. The NFL came calling for a cup of tea with the Atlanta Falcons during Dan Quinn’s administration. Another reunion with Coach Saban beckoned in 2019, but it lasted only until 2021, when Texas announced his hiring.
What could this mean for the Tennessee Titans?
The Titans need a new head coach after firing Brian Callahan a couple of weeks ago, and several names are on the radar. Sarkisian provides an interesting off-the-wall candidacy for Chad Brinker and Mike Borgonzi to consider. The Texas coach possesses a tie to the organization via former Tennessee OC Norm Chow, who coached him at BYU. Tennessee has a long history of drafting and signing Texas players, including two of the most recent Horns that Sark coached, T’vondre Sweat and Gunnar Helm. Longhorns legends like Vince Young, Michael Griffin, Kenny Vaccaro, and Earl Campbell have donned the two-toned blue.
Tennessee needs to maximize its investment in the first overall selection, Cam Ward, and Sark does have experience mentoring young quarterbacks, though with mixed results. Perhaps a fresh start in Nashville could do wonders for both parties. If Sark is the choice, then he will need to be surrounded by premium assistants. His staff choices will be interesting to monitor. The assistant pool could be large and diverse, as his extensive ties to Alabama and Texas indicate. Titans fans would certainly question the front office for hiring an “unproven” candidate, given the coach they just fired’s background. Sarkisian could look to leave Texas amid pressure to return the program to its previous heights as the playoff chase mounts. He’s certainly a good coach but can he become a great one?
What could this mean for the University of Texas?
“Sark”, of course, leads one of college football’s premier, glitzy programs at the University of Texas. According to the 247 Sports Composite rankings, Texas has the seventh-best recruiting class in 2026. If the Longhorns’ job were to open, as speculated by Mrs. Russini, it would instantly vault to the top of college football’s available jobs. Texas’ location, fiscal resources, conference prestige, among a litany of other factors, make it one of the most desirable positions in sports. Any coach with the Longhorns logo slapped on a polo shirt would gain instant credibility with recruits and transfers as a result. A new coach would mean a ton of roster turnover, but the bones of a solid roster are there, led by embattled quarterback Arch Manning. The young Manning was once highly touted but has fallen on hard times in 2025.
However, this could be a ploy by Sarkisian’s agent, the esteemed and infamous Jimmy Sexton, to gain more wealth and benefits for his client. He represents a significant portion of the industry’s top coaches and stands to benefit significantly from a wild and wacky coaching carousel. Unless there is an actual press conference with Sarkisian in another team’s colors and NFL logo, the rumor mill will constantly be churning around a Sexton client. Why would Sark leave Texas, where he has it all, even if the siren calls of the NFL will surely be blaring?
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