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On Saturday morning, Dianna Russini of The Athletic stirred up a hornet’s nest before Texas was set to play Mississippi State in Week 9. More News: Jimbo Fisher Looking for Coaching Job Amid Likely Florida State Opening Russini reported that representatives of Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian put out feelers to NFL teams, including the Tennessee Titans, about their client’s interest in taking a job in the league. Following Texas’ 45-38 win over the Bulldogs in overtime, Sarkisian criticized Russini for putting out the report earlier in the day. GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 04: Head coach Steve Sarkisian of the Texas Longhorns takes the field before the start of a game against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on October 04, 2025 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) More News: Texas’ Steve Sarkisian Erupts at Press Conference Over NFL Report “I thought it was absolutely ridiculous. I thought it was completely unprofessional of that person to put that report out, and the fact that everybody ran with it is borderline embarrassing for the media,” Sarkisian said of The Athletic report via 247 Sports. “Okay, so I’ve got a small circle when I make decisions on what I do and what I don’t do,” Sarkisian continued. “So, and nobody would speak on my behalf without me knowing, and so where that report came from. I’d love to talk to that person, because it’s absolutely ridiculous.” On Monday, Mike Sando of The Athletic responded to the controversy, suggesting that Sarkisian’s denial had to do with a worry that Texas players might enter the transfer portal if they thought Sarkisian would leave for the NFL. “In another time, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian might have shrugged off The Athletic‘s report that he has interest in NFL jobs,” Sando wrote. “Sarkisian might have even welcomed such a report. But with college players having so much power in the NIL era, coaches cannot risk anything that might give their athletes reason to bolt for another team. “That explains why Sarkisian and his representatives pushed back so hard, issuing a statement over something that would not have been a big deal, at all, in earlier eras.” It’s a tough gambit for Sarkisian’s agents. On one hand, getting their client to have talks with NFL teams gives Sarkisian leverage in asking for concessions or a raise from Texas. However, there is a risk that such reports could undermine his program. It’ll be interesting to see if any smoke comes out of Austin surrounding Sarkisian and the league after Saturday. For more on the NCAA, head to Newsweek Sports.
