The college football world is buzzing after reports surfaced that Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian has expressed interest in returning to the NFL — with the Tennessee Titans emerging as a potential destination. According to NFL insider Dianna Russini, Sarkisian has informed several league decision-makers that he is open to exploring head-coaching opportunities once the 2025 college season concludes, marking what could be a seismic shift for both Texas football and the professional coaching landscape.
For the Longhorns, this news couldn’t have come at a more critical time. Texas is in the midst of one of its most successful stretches in recent memory under Sarkisian’s leadership. After taking over a program desperate to return to national prominence, Sarkisian revitalized the Longhorns with a culture of discipline, modern offensive schemes, and elite recruiting. His efforts have not only brought Texas back into College Football Playoff conversations but also restored pride to a fanbase that had long endured inconsistency and disappointment.
Sarkisian’s journey to this moment has been anything but ordinary. Once seen as one of the brightest offensive minds in football, his early career was marked by both triumphs and turbulence. After successful assistant coaching stints at USC and with the Oakland Raiders, he landed head-coaching jobs at Washington and later at USC. His tenure at USC, however, ended abruptly amid personal challenges that forced him to step away from coaching for a period of self-reflection and recovery.
When Sarkisian resurfaced in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons as offensive coordinator, many questioned whether he could recapture the spark that once made him a rising star. Yet over time, he rebuilt his reputation, culminating in a return to college football as Alabama’s offensive coordinator. At Alabama, Sarkisian’s offensive genius fully returned to form — he orchestrated one of the most dominant offenses in modern college football, producing record-breaking performances and a national championship. That resurgence led Texas to make a bold move in 2021, naming him their head coach in hopes that he could restore the Longhorns to glory.
Four years later, Sarkisian’s impact in Austin is undeniable. Texas has regained its swagger, landed top recruiting classes, and positioned itself as a perennial contender. The offense — dynamic, balanced, and fearless — reflects Sarkisian’s creativity and mastery of the modern game. Under his guidance, quarterbacks like Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning have flourished, and the Longhorns’ offensive identity has become one of precision, aggression, and balance.
Yet even with all of that success, the NFL’s allure is difficult to ignore. Sarkisian has long maintained strong ties to the professional ranks, and his offensive philosophies — blending pro-style concepts with spread principles — have increasingly influenced both college and pro football. With the Titans potentially heading toward a full rebuild following years of roster transition, the timing of this reported interest feels strategic. Tennessee’s leadership is reportedly evaluating all options as the franchise looks for a fresh offensive direction after years of run-heavy football that revolved around Derrick Henry.
The Titans could represent an appealing opportunity for Sarkisian. The franchise has young offensive pieces like quarterback Will Levis and wide receiver Treylon Burks, along with an ownership group reportedly willing to modernize the team’s approach. Sarkisian’s track record of developing quarterbacks and maximizing offensive efficiency could make him a strong fit for a team seeking innovation and identity in a competitive AFC South.
From the NFL’s perspective, Sarkisian’s candidacy makes sense. League executives have increasingly turned their attention toward coaches who understand both the college recruiting pipeline and the NFL’s evolving offensive systems. Sarkisian fits that mold perfectly — a coach with deep college experience, professional roots, and a proven ability to adapt. His time with the Falcons exposed him to the league’s structure and expectations, while his work at Alabama and Texas showcased his ability to lead, inspire, and manage elite-level talent.
Still, this potential move raises major questions for Texas. If Sarkisian were to depart after the 2025 season, the Longhorns would face a massive decision about how to maintain momentum in the post-Sarkisian era. The program’s move into the SEC has already elevated the stakes, and a coaching transition at such a critical juncture could destabilize recruiting and on-field performance. The university has invested heavily in Sarkisian’s vision — from facilities and staffing to recruiting budgets and NIL support — all aimed at restoring Texas to the national elite. Losing the architect of that progress could be a major setback.
For now, Texas fans are caught in a familiar whirlwind of speculation and anxiety. Many remember the turbulence that followed the departures of previous head coaches, and the thought of another rebuild is unsettling. Yet others see Sarkisian’s interest in the NFL as a natural progression — a coach who has rebuilt his career, achieved redemption, and proven himself at every level might understandably crave one more shot at the league.
If he does take the leap, Sarkisian would be joining a growing trend of college coaches making the jump back to the pros. Recent years have seen mixed results for those who’ve tried it. Matt Rhule’s tenure with the Carolina Panthers was short-lived, while coaches like Kliff Kingsbury and Jim Harbaugh have found varying degrees of success. Sarkisian’s experience — with both college development and NFL systems — might give him a better chance to succeed than many who came before him.
From a personal perspective, Sarkisian’s story is one of resilience. His comeback from personal adversity, his willingness to evolve, and his commitment to rebuilding his reputation have been defining traits of his second act. Many who know him describe him as a deeply competitive yet grounded leader — one who has learned from past mistakes and now approaches coaching with a sense of gratitude and perspective. Those qualities could serve him well in the high-pressure world of the NFL, where patience is rare and results are everything.
For the Titans, the potential pairing could mark a cultural and strategic shift. The organization has spent years relying on a tough, defensive identity under former head coach Mike Vrabel. While that approach produced some playoff runs, the league has evolved — offenses now drive success, and teams are increasingly leaning toward offensive-minded head coaches. Sarkisian could bring precisely the kind of modern, adaptable system the Titans need to compete with high-powered AFC rivals like Kansas City, Cincinnati, and Baltimore.
Of course, nothing is official yet. Sarkisian remains under contract with Texas and has made no public comments confirming the report. But the mere suggestion that he’s exploring NFL opportunities signals a potential turning point — both for his career and for the direction of Texas football. In the months ahead, as the Longhorns chase postseason glory and the NFL’s coaching carousel begins to turn, all eyes will be on Sarkisian’s next move.
The reality is that Sarkisian has little left to prove at the college level. He’s rebuilt programs, developed stars, and cemented his legacy as one of the sharpest offensive minds in the sport. The NFL, however, represents unfinished business — a chance to test himself again at the highest level, with the wisdom and perspective that only years of growth and redemption can bring.
Whether the Titans or another franchise ultimately make the call, one thing is clear: Steve Sarkisian’s name will be among the hottest on the coaching market when the 2026 NFL season approaches. And for Texas fans, the countdown has unofficially begun — not just to the end of another season, but perhaps to the end of an era that reignited the Longhorns’ pride and reminded college football just how brilliant Steve Sarkisian can be.
At the intersection of ambition and loyalty, Sarkisian now faces a defining choice. Stay in Austin, where he has built something special, or return to the NFL, where another challenge — and perhaps redemption on an even grander stage — awaits. Whatever path he chooses, it’s clear that Steve Sarkisian’s next chapter will once again reshape the football world, just as he has done time and time again.
