Steve Sarkisian’s proposed contract extension would make him among highest-paid college football coaches, includes cars, private plane access

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian is about to get paid, y’all.

Amid the retirement of Alabama head coach Nick Saban, Texas reported last month it agreed to a four-year contract extension with Sarkisian to lock him in Austin, but didn’t release financial details. 

Now, the full details of that contract extension have come out. The University of Texas Board of Regents are set to approve the new deal in a meeting scheduled for Feb. 21-22, which will nearly double Sarkisian’s annual compensation and make him among the top-paid coaches in college football. 

According to the board of regents agenda, Sarkisian’s annual salary will be bumped from $5.8 million in 2024 to $10.3 million. Sarkisian was set to make $6 million and $6.2 million in the final years of his old contract, but would now increase to $10.4 million and $10.5 million, respectively. Each year of the four-year extension are set to increase another $100,000 per year for the remainder of the deal (i.e.: $10.6 million in 2027, $10.7 million in 2028, etc.).

There are some pretty lavish amenities included in his contract, too. Sarkisian’s contract includes two dealer cars, 20 hours of access to a private plane for personal use, a country club membership and a set amount of tickets to UT Athletics events (home and/or away).

Here is a full breakdown of Sarkisian’s new contract, according to the UT Board of Regents agenda:

• 2024: $10.3 million + performance incentives
• 2025: $10.4 million + performance incentives
• 2026: $10.5 million + performance incentives
• 2027: $10.6 million + performance incentives
• 2028: $10.7 million + performance incentives
• 2029: $10.8 million + performance incentives
• 2030: $10.9 million + performance incentives

Sarkisian’s contract, according to the agenda, is set to a maximum of $1.85 million annually, which can be achieved by the following performance incentives: 

• Conference champion (not cumulative, does not exceed $300,000)
  • $150,000 for appearance
  • $300,000 for winning
• Post-season/College Football Playoff (not cumulative, does not exceed $1.25 million)
  • $100,000 for participating in bowl not associated with CFP
  • $250,000 for making CFP first round
  • $500,000 for making CFP quarterfinal
  • $750,000 for making CFP semifinal
  • $1 million for making CFP national championship
  • $1.25 million for winning the CFP national championship
• Coaching recognition (not to exceed $300,000)
  • $200,000 for any contract year for being named National Coach of the Year for any of the following: Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year, George Monger Coach of the Year, Bear Bryant Coach of the Year, Home Depot Coach of the Year, Associated Press Coach of the Year, Walter Camp Football Foundation Coach of the Year; and Gene Stallings Coach of the Year.
  • $100,000 for Conference Coach of the Year (Coaches’ Vote)

With a base salary of $10.3 million, Sarkisian propels himself into the pantheon of highest-paid coaches in college football. Saban, before he retired, led all coaches with an $11.4 million salary, according to Front Office Sports. Clemson’s Dabo Swinney reportedly makes $10.9 million, followed by Georgia’s Kirby Smart ($10.7 million) and Ohio State’s Ryan Day ($10.3 million). 

The Longhorns finished 12-2 and were ranked No. 3 in the final AP poll, their highest finish in 15 years.

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