Texas football: Urban Meyer and 5 candidates to replace Tom Herman

Urban Meyer and 5 likely candidates to replace Tom Herman at Texas

STILLWATER, OK - OCTOBER 31: Head coach Tom Herman of the Texas Longhorns greets his team before a game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium on October 31, 2020 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Texas won 41-34 in overtime. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

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Credit: Todd Kirkland/Getty Images /

4. Steve Sarkisian, Alabama Offensive Coordinator

Sarkisian is in his second season back at Alabama as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Prior to a two-year stint as offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons, Sarkisian was an offensive analyst under Nick Saban in 2016 before becoming interim offensive coordinator when Lane Kiffin left for the head coaching job at Florida Atlantic.

Sarkisian is best known for his time at USC, as quarterbacks coach (2001-2003; 2005-2006), offensive coordinator (2007-2008) and eventually back as head coach (2014-2015). A health issue led to his departure before the end of the 2015 season, but he has rebuilt his coaching stock since then.

Counting his five seasons at Washington (2009-2013), Sarkisian is 46-35 as a head coach (.568 winning percentage). His two teams as head coach at USC peaked in the top-10, and given his history with that program he’s no stranger to high expectations (rooted in current circumstance or not, which is a striking similarity between Texas and USC right now).

Sarkisian’s resume as an offensive mind stands solidly, with a sprinkling of NFL experience. He’s a little outside the box, as least when candidates for a job like Texas are considered, but the way Herman’s tenure has gone means no stone should go unturned.

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