Texas football: 5 coaches Longhorns should’ve hired instead of Steve Sarkisian
Texas football is in a downward spiral in the first year under Steve Sarkisian after an upset loss to Kansas, their fifth straight defeat.
Hopes were once again high for Texas football with the arrival of new head coach Steve Sarkisian, who the Longhorns lured away from Alabama where he was the offensive coordinator for the Crimson Tide. But those high hopes have quickly dissipated.
Entering Saturday, the Longhorns had lost four straight games and were absolutely reeling. The good news seemed to be that they were at home against the perennial Big 12 bottom-dweller in Kansas.
That, however, was not the case. Kansas had Texas on the ropes for 60 minutes as the Longhorns needed a 21-point comeback to force overtime. But in the extra frame, the Jayhawks went for the two-point conversion rather than the tie and got it, notching the massive upset.
The vibes in Austin are not good, particularly for Steve Sarkisian. It’s starting to feel as if Texas could’ve made a better hire. In particular, these five coaches would’ve been better for the Longhorns.
Texas football: 5 coaching hires that would’ve been better than Steve Sarkisian
5. Luke Fickell, Cincinnati head coach
There’s not really a question that Luke Fickell is one of the best coaches in college football. And you have to believe that Texas football would’ve left no stone unturned in trying to lure him away from Cincinnati. With that said, Fickell hasn’t left and there is likely a reason for that, whether it’s trying to see out unfinished business with the Bearcats or holding out for specific jobs.
Regardless, the Longhorns should’ve ultimately done whatever was necessary to get Fickell. He’s a program builder of the highest order and, whether or not Texas fans want to admit it or not, that’s what they need right now.
4. Jamey Chadwell, Coastal Carolina head coach
At some point, Texas football has to start thinking outside the box when it comes to the head coaching position. They’ve consistently hired big names and the results have been as consistently disappointing. That was the case with Charlie Strong, with Tom Herman, and seemingly now with Steve Sarkisian as well.
Jamey Chadwell would be the right type of outside-the-box hire. He’s taken a Coastal Carolina program from legitimate obscurity to national prominence largely thanks to his ability to develop player and run an exceedingly creative offense.
Would that offense work at the Power 5 level? We truly don’t know the answer to that. But finding out the answer would be better than treading mediocre water.