Stephen Sarkisian is a well-known figure in American football, working as a coach at the collegiate level. He is currently the head coach for the University of Texas at Austin. Prior to his current position, he held head coaching roles at the University of Washington and the University of Southern California.
1956: Texas's Last Six-Game Losing Streak Before 2021
The Texas Longhorns' six-game losing streak in 2021, during Sarkisian's first season, was a historically significant downturn for the program, as they had not experienced such a streak since the 1956 season.
March 8, 1974: Birth of Steve Sarkisian
Steve Sarkisian was born on March 8, 1974.
1992: Start of Sarkisian's College Athletic Career
Steve Sarkisian began his college athletic journey in 1992 as a non-scholarship baseball player at the University of Southern California (USC).
1993: Sarkisian Restarts Football Career at El Camino College
Encouraged by his coach, Steve Sarkisian resumed playing football at El Camino College in 1993, earning All-Mission Conference honors.
December 1994: Sarkisian Accepts Scholarship to BYU
In December 1994, Steve Sarkisian decided to continue his football career at Brigham Young University (BYU) and accepted a scholarship offer.
1994: Sarkisian Earns Associate Degree from El Camino College
Steve Sarkisian completed his associate degree in general studies from El Camino College in 1994.
1995: Sarkisian Transfers to BYU
Steve Sarkisian joined Brigham Young University (BYU) in 1995 to play football.
December 1996: Sarkisian's Stellar Senior Season at BYU
Steve Sarkisian concluded his senior season at BYU in December 1996 with a WAC Championship title, national recognition as a top passer, and a Cotton Bowl Classic victory.
1996: Sarkisian's Record-Breaking Performance against Texas A&M
In the 1996 season opener, Steve Sarkisian set a record for most passing yards against Texas A&M, leading BYU to a win.
1997: Sarkisian Graduates from BYU
Steve Sarkisian earned his bachelor's degree in sociology from Brigham Young University (BYU) in 1997.
1997: Sarkisian Begins Professional Football Career
Steve Sarkisian embarked on his professional football career in 1997, playing for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the Canadian Football League (CFL).
1999: End of Sarkisian's Playing Career
After a challenging season with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Steve Sarkisian decided to retire from professional football in 1999.
2000: Sarkisian's Coaching Debut at El Camino College
Steve Sarkisian returned to El Camino College in 2000 to begin his coaching career as the quarterbacks coach.
2001: Sarkisian Joins USC Coaching Staff
Steve Sarkisian joined the coaching staff at USC in 2001 as an offensive assistant.
2002: Sarkisian Becomes USC Quarterbacks Coach
In 2002, Steve Sarkisian took on the role of quarterbacks coach at USC.
2002: Washington's First Bowl Eligibility Since 2002
Washington became bowl eligible for the first time since the 2002 season under Sarkisian's leadership in 2010.
2003: Continuing as Quarterbacks Coach
Steve Sarkisian remained in his position as quarterbacks coach at USC in 2003.
2004: Sarkisian's Move to the NFL
Steve Sarkisian joined the NFL's Oakland Raiders as quarterbacks coach in 2004.
2005: Sarkisian Returns to USC with Added Responsibilities
In 2005, Steve Sarkisian returned to USC, taking on the role of assistant head coach alongside his quarterbacks coach duties.
January 2007: Sarkisian Declines Raiders Head Coach Opportunity
In January 2007, Steve Sarkisian chose to stay at USC, withdrawing from consideration for the head coaching position with the Oakland Raiders.
December 8, 2008: Sarkisian Named Head Coach at Washington
The University of Washington appointed Steve Sarkisian as their head football coach on December 8, 2008.
2009: Steve Sarkisian's First Year as Head Coach at Washington
In 2009, Steve Sarkisian began his tenure as the head football coach at the University of Washington.
2009: Washington's Upset Victory over USC and Season Turnaround
In his debut season as Washington's head coach, Sarkisian led the team to an unexpected win over his former team, USC, and ended the season on a positive note with victories in the Apple Cup and against California.
2009: Sarkisian Signs Initial Contract with Washington
Steve Sarkisian signed his first contract as Washington's head coach in 2009. The five-year deal started with $1.75 million in guaranteed money, increasing annually.
2009: Start of Sarkisian's Contract at Washington
Steve Sarkisian's contract as head coach at Washington, with a starting salary of $1.75 million, commenced in 2009.
January 9, 2010: Sarkisian Considered for USC Head Coach Position
With Pete Carroll's departure from USC, Steve Sarkisian was a potential candidate for the head coach position but ultimately decided to stay at Washington.
2010: Contract Extension After Bowl Victory
Following a successful season culminating in a bowl victory, Sarkisian signed a new five-year contract with Washington in 2010. This deal included increased guaranteed money, reaching $2.85 million by 2015.
2010: Washington's Second Win over USC and Holiday Bowl Victory
Washington, under Sarkisian, secured a second victory against USC and achieved bowl eligibility, finishing the season with a win in the Holiday Bowl.
2011: Salary Increase in Second Contract Year
As per his 2010 contract extension, Sarkisian's guaranteed salary increased to $2.25 million in 2011.
2011: Washington Huskies Football Season
In 2011, Steve Sarkisian coached the Washington Huskies to a 6-2 start, exceeding expectations after quarterback Jake Locker's departure. Despite early success and a national ranking, the team faltered in the latter half of the season, finishing with a 7-6 record after losses to Oregon, USC, Oregon State, and Baylor in the Alamo Bowl.
2012: Another 7-6 Season for Sarkisian and the Huskies
The Washington Huskies, under Sarkisian's leadership, finished 2012 with a 7-6 record after a loss to Boise State in the Maaco Bowl Las Vegas. The team consistently struggled against top-tier Pac-12 opponents, leading to Sarkisian's nickname "Seven Win Steve."
December 2, 2013: Sarkisian Returns to USC as Head Coach
On December 2, 2013, Steve Sarkisian accepted the head coaching position at USC, aiming to restore the program's winning tradition as NCAA sanctions were lifted. Similar to his predecessor, Sarkisian assumed the role of offensive play-caller.
2013: End of Sarkisian's Tenure at Washington
Steve Sarkisian's time as the head coach at the University of Washington concluded in 2013.
2013: Salary Increase at Washington
By 2013, Steve Sarkisian's salary as head coach at Washington had risen to $2.3 million.
2013: Sarkisian Leaves Huskies for USC After Improved Season
Sarkisian's final season with Washington in 2013 saw improvement, reaching an 8-win record before he departed for the head coaching position at USC prior to their bowl game.
2013: Final Year Salary at Washington
In 2013, Sarkisian's guaranteed salary at Washington reached $2.3 million under his initial five-year contract signed in 2009.
September 8, 2014: Sarkisian and USC Athletic Director Reprimanded by Pac-12
On September 8, 2014, the Pac-12 Conference reprimanded Steve Sarkisian and USC athletic director Pat Haden for attempting to influence officiating during a game against Stanford on September 6. Haden received a $25,000 fine.
2014: Sarkisian Becomes Head Coach at USC
Steve Sarkisian was appointed as the head football coach at the University of Southern California (USC) in 2014.
2014: Last Meeting of Arkansas-Texas Rivalry Before 2021
The 2021 matchup between Arkansas and Texas marked the first encounter in the rivalry since the 2014 Texas Bowl, highlighting the significance of the game in Sarkisian's debut season.
April 2015: Divorce Filing and Family Life
In April 2015, news broke that Steve Sarkisian and his first wife, Stephanie, decided to file for divorce. The couple had three children together: two daughters and a son. Following the divorce, Sarkisian later married Loreal Smith, a former collegiate track star and coach.
October 11, 2015: Sarkisian Placed on Indefinite Leave of Absence from USC
On October 11, 2015, USC athletic director Pat Haden placed Steve Sarkisian on indefinite leave of absence due to concerns about his health, later reported as potential intoxication, after Sarkisian missed a scheduled practice and appeared unwell. Offensive coordinator Clay Helton assumed interim head coaching duties.
2015: Sarkisian's Alcohol Use and Zero-Tolerance Policy
Following a drunken incident at a booster club event in 2015, where Sarkisian mixed alcohol and medication, USC athletic director Pat Haden placed him on a zero-tolerance policy regarding alcohol use. Reports emerged suggesting Sarkisian's potential intoxication during a game against Arizona State.
2015: Projected Final Year Salary of Second Washington Contract
Had Sarkisian remained with Washington through the duration of his 2010 contract extension, his guaranteed salary would have reached $2.85 million in 2015.
2015: Departure from USC
Steve Sarkisian's time as head coach at USC ended in 2015.
September 2016: Sarkisian Joins Alabama as an Analyst
In September 2016, Alabama hired Steve Sarkisian as an analyst for their football team.
2016: Sarkisian's Brief Stint as Alabama's Offensive Coordinator
Sarkisian's only game as Alabama's offensive coordinator in the 2016 season was the national championship loss against Clemson after being promoted following Lane Kiffin's exit.
2016: Falcons' Offensive Output Comparison (2016 vs. 2017)
The Atlanta Falcons experienced a significant decline in offensive production after Sarkisian took over as offensive coordinator in 2017. Their points per game dropped from a league-leading 33.8 in 2016 to 22.1 in 2017.
January 2, 2017: Sarkisian Promoted to Alabama Offensive Coordinator
Following Lane Kiffin's departure, Sarkisian was promoted from analyst to offensive coordinator for Alabama on January 2, 2017. He assumed the role immediately, coaching in the national championship game against Clemson, which Alabama narrowly lost.
February 7, 2017: Sarkisian Becomes Atlanta Falcons Offensive Coordinator
On February 7, 2017, the Atlanta Falcons hired Steve Sarkisian as their offensive coordinator, replacing Kyle Shanahan.
2017: Sarkisian Joins Atlanta Falcons
Steve Sarkisian started working as the offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL in 2017.
2018: End of Time with Atlanta Falcons
In 2018, Steve Sarkisian's role as offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons came to an end.
December 31, 2018: Sarkisian Fired as Falcons Offensive Coordinator
The Atlanta Falcons fired Steve Sarkisian from his position as offensive coordinator on December 31, 2018, following two seasons with the team.
January 2019: Sarkisian Returns to Alabama as Offensive Coordinator
Alabama re-hired Steve Sarkisian as their offensive coordinator in January 2019, marking his second stint in that role with the team.
2019: Sarkisian Joins Alabama as Offensive Coordinator
Steve Sarkisian took on the role of offensive coordinator at the University of Alabama in 2019.
2020: Sarkisian Serves as Interim Head Coach at Alabama
Due to Nick Saban's quarantine for COVID-19 protocols, Sarkisian stepped in as Alabama's interim head coach for their 42-13 victory over Auburn in 2020.
2020: End of Tenure at Alabama
In 2020, Steve Sarkisian finished his time as the offensive coordinator at the University of Alabama.
2020: Sarkisian Earns National Recognition for Coaching
Sarkisian received the Broyles Award, recognizing the nation's top assistant coach, for his contributions to Alabama's success in 2020. He also garnered the FootballScoop Offensive Coordinator of the Year award.
January 2, 2021: Sarkisian Named Head Coach at Texas
On January 2, 2021, the University of Texas at Austin appointed Steve Sarkisian as the 31st head football coach, securing him with a six-year, $34.2 million contract.
2021: Sarkisian's Debut Season at Texas: Mixed Results and a Losing Streak
Sarkisian's first season leading the Texas Longhorns in 2021 presented a mixed bag of outcomes. Starting ranked No. 21, they secured an early victory against No. 23 Louisiana but fell to Arkansas in a rivalry revival. Despite offensive prowess, including a record-breaking 70-35 win over Texas Tech, the team suffered a six-game losing streak, a first since 1956, ultimately finishing 5-7.
2022: Sarkisian Leads Texas to Improved Record in Second Season
The 2022 season saw Sarkisian's Texas Longhorns finish with an 8-5 record and a No. 25 ranking, a significant improvement from the previous year. This success followed a loss in the Alamo Bowl to Washington.
2023: Texas Thrives in Final Big 12 Season Before SEC Move
In their final Big 12 season before joining the Southeastern Conference, Sarkisian's Longhorns achieved a remarkable turnaround. Starting at No. 11 in the preseason rankings, they soared to No. 4 after a stunning victory against No. 3 Alabama. Despite a close loss to Oklahoma, they dominated the rest of the regular season, clinched the Big 12 Championship against Oklahoma State, and secured a No. 3 seed in the College Football Playoff. Although narrowly losing to Washington in the Sugar Bowl, they ended the season ranked No. 3.
February 22, 2024: Steve Sarkisian's Contract Extension
On February 22, 2024, Steve Sarkisian secured a four-year contract extension, valid until 2030. The deal also included a salary increase to $10.3 million for the 2024 season.
2030: End of Contract Extension
This date, 2030, marks the end of Steve Sarkisian's four-year contract extension.