Texas is making sure Steve Sarkisian stays put after the Longhorns returned to the national stage in 2023.

Terms of Sarkisian’s contract extension, through 2030, were released by the school on Saturday. At a Feb. 21 meeting of the school’s Board of Regents, Sarkisian’s extension is expected to be formally approved. It will bump his annual salary north of $10 million per year, according to the Board’s recently released meeting agenda.

As the Longhorns prepare to move into the SEC, their head coach will be compensated like his peers. According to USA Today’s public database, 10 coaches made at least $9 million during the 2023 season; seven of them were SEC coaches.

Sarkisian made $5.6 million in 2023, a mark that put him 30th among FBS coaches. He was set to make $5.8 million in 2024.

His new contract will call for Sarkisian to make $10.3 million in 2024. He’ll see his annual pay increase by $100,000 with each passing year until maxing out at $10.9 million in 2030.

His bonus structure has also been changed.

Under the previous terms of the deal, the most Sarkisian could earn per year in nonguaranteed compensation was $825K. The amended contract provides opportunities to earn up to $1.85 million.

Various performance bonuses in his contract include:

  • $150,000 for a conference championship appearance; or
  • $300,000 for a conference championship win
  • $100,000 for a non-CFP bowl game; or
  • $250,000 for a CFP appearance; or
  • $500,000 for a CFP quarterfinal appearance; or
  • $750,000 for a CFP semifinal appearance; or
  • $1 million for a CFP title appearance; or
  • $1.25 million for a CFP national championship win
  • $200,000 for a National Coach of the Year honor
  • $100,000 for a SEC Coach of the Year

Sarkisian led the Longhorns to a 12-2 record, a Big 12 championship, and a College Football Playoff semifinal appearance in 2023. It was the best season for the Longhorns since winning 13 games and playing for the BCS National Championship in 2009.

That defeat to Alabama marked the start of a slide for the program. Following the 2009 campaign, it would be nine years before Texas reached double-digit wins in a season again.

Mack Brown was replaced with Charlie Strong, who was fired after three losing seasons and replaced with Tom Herman, who was fired after four seasons.

Sarkisian stepped in to helm the program in 2021. He went 5-7 in Year 1, then produced an 8-5 mark in Year 2. The 12-win 2023 campaign has Texas finally looking like it is back to its powerhouse self.

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Meanwhile, Sarkisian has the Longhorns recruiting at an elite level heading into their new home. UT signed the fifth-ranked class in 2022. In 2023, it signed the nation’s third-best recruiting class, with 5-star passer Arch Manning serving as the crown jewel of the group. The 2024 class ranked sixth nationally as well, bolstered by four more 5-star recruits.

Texas begins the 2024 season at home against Colorado State on Aug. 31. Its first SEC game is set to take place on Sept. 28, when Mississippi State travels to DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium.