Texas Gets $332M News for Steve Sarkisian Despite the Head Coach’s Salary Almost Doubling As the first Division I public university to reach $300 million in revenue and expenses, the University of Texas announced a record-breaking $332 million in athletic revenue for the 2025 fiscal year. This significant event occurs as head football coach Steve Sarkisian nearly doubles his income with a generous contract extension. Sarkisian, who guided the Longhorns to consecutive championships…
The University of Texas has made headlines once again, setting a remarkable record in the world of collegiate sports. For the 2025 fiscal year, the university announced a groundbreaking achievement: a $332 million revenue generated by its athletic programs, marking the first time a Division I public university has reached such heights in both revenue and expenses. This significant milestone comes at a pivotal time for the Longhorns, as their football program, under the leadership of head coach Steve Sarkisian, continues to thrive. Sarkisian, who has led the team to back-to-back championship appearances, is also benefiting from this financial success, with a nearly doubling of his salary thanks to a generous contract extension.
The surge in revenue highlights the growing prominence of the University of Texas’ athletic department, particularly its football program. This achievement is the result of various factors, including an increase in television rights deals, a boost in ticket sales, and successful fundraising campaigns. The Longhorns have consistently been a powerhouse in college football, and with their recent success, they are now on the cutting edge of collegiate athletics in terms of financial prowess. In addition, the growth of the athletic department’s revenue reflects broader trends in the sports industry, where major universities are increasingly reliant on lucrative media deals, sponsorships, and fan engagement to sustain their programs.
For Steve Sarkisian, the $332 million in revenue marks not only a period of success for the Texas athletic department but also a personal milestone. Sarkisian, who took over the reins of the Longhorns football program in 2021, has been instrumental in turning the program around. After a period of underperformance, Sarkisian guided Texas to back-to-back conference championships, cementing his status as one of the brightest coaching minds in college football. His leadership and ability to develop players have played a crucial role in the Longhorns’ ascent to national prominence.
Sarkisian’s contract extension, which nearly doubles his salary, is a reflection of both his success on the field and the financial health of the athletic department. The extension ensures that Sarkisian will remain at the helm of the program for the foreseeable future, with a financial package that now places him among the highest-paid coaches in college football. The substantial increase in his pay is seen as a reward for his work in revitalizing the program and bringing Texas back into contention for national titles.
While the decision to increase Sarkisian’s pay may be seen as a recognition of his contributions, it also highlights the competitive nature of college football at the highest level. Top-tier programs like Texas must be willing to make significant financial investments to retain elite coaches and ensure their continued success. The increased salary also reflects the growing importance of football in the revenue structure of university athletic programs. As the money flowing into college athletics continues to rise, universities are finding it necessary to provide more lucrative contracts to coaches in order to compete with their peers.
The increase in Texas’ athletic revenue and Sarkisian’s salary comes at a time when college sports are undergoing significant changes. The introduction of the College Football Playoff (CFP) expansion and increased conference realignment are shaking up the landscape of college athletics. With the increasing commercialization of college sports, universities are under greater pressure to maximize revenue and provide their teams with the resources needed to succeed at the highest levels.
Looking ahead, Texas is well-positioned to continue its dominance in college football and athletics as a whole. The $332 million revenue is just the beginning of what is likely to be a continued upward trajectory for the Longhorns. With Sarkisian at the helm, the university can expect to remain competitive on the national stage, both on and off the field. The growth of Texas’ athletic department will likely serve as a model for other universities looking to achieve similar success in the evolving landscape of college sports.
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