Texas football experienced a breakthrough season in 2023 under coach Steve Sarkisian, securing the Big 12 title and making their first College Football Playoff appearance. As a result, Sarkisian is on the verge of a substantial pay increase, with the University of Texas board of regents expected to approve a contract extension that nearly doubles his annual salary.
According to information obtained by Inside Texas from the board of regents’ meeting agenda, Sarkisian’s new contract includes a 2024 salary of $10.3 million, initiating a seven-year deal running through 2030. His annual pay is set to rise by $100,000 each year, culminating in a $10.9 million salary in 2030.
In addition to the salary boost, Sarkisian’s contract features perks such as two cars, 20 hours of private aircraft flight time annually, club memberships, and a ticket allocation for all Texas games.
Sarkisian’s enhanced contract makes him eligible for up to $1.85 million in annual performance incentives, with $1.25 million tied to winning the College Football Playoff. According to USA TODAY’s coaching salaries database, Sarkisian, who had a $5.6 million base salary last season, would now rank as the fourth-highest-paid coach in 2024, positioned between Georgia’s Kirby Smart and Ohio State’s Ryan Day, based on 2023 salaries.
With a coaching record of 25–14 in three years at Texas, including a 17–10 conference record, Sarkisian’s significant salary increase comes as the Longhorns prepare to join the SEC in 2024, entering the league alongside longtime rival Oklahoma.