The Texas Longhorns made an unwanted milestone on Saturday when they became the first program since 1961 to rank No. 1 in the AP poll and subsequently lose back-to-back games to unranked opponents. The latest defeat came against Florida at home, where the Gators rallied from a halftime deficit with backup quarterback Tramell Jones leading the comeback.
The losses have intensified scrutiny of head coach Steve Sarkisian despite a strong overall record. In his tenure, Sarkisian has compiled a 35-8 mark over the last three seasons, successfully establishing Texas as a consistently competitive program. However, the Longhorns have failed to translate regular-season success into championship results, despite holding the No. 1 ranking at various points during the past two seasons. The team currently sits at 4-2 and appears positioned outside the nation’s elite tier.
Sarkisian’s contract situation presents a significant financial barrier to any coaching change. Following a contract extension agreed to in 2025, his agreement runs through 2031 with a salary among college football’s highest. The remaining value through 2031 exceeds $70 million, with a buyout clause requiring the university to pay 85% of that balance. Terminating Sarkisian after the 2026 season would cost Texas approximately $50.15 million, placing any potential buyout among the five largest in college football history.
The substantial financial commitment would require institutional conviction that Sarkisian cannot elevate Texas to a national championship. Additionally, university leadership would need confidence in securing a superior replacement, a challenging proposition despite Texas’s financial resources and appeal to potential candidates. For now, two losses do not eliminate Texas from College Football Playoff contention, particularly given their victory over Ohio State. However, a complete playoff miss could shift internal discussions from online speculation to serious consideration of alternatives.
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