There may be more pressure on Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian than we even realize.
When we think of Big 12 coaches who are on the hot seat, the first name that comes to mind is Neal Brown at West Virginia followed up next by Brent Venables at Oklahoma.
But after that, who is third? Well, Aaron Murray of The Volume believes that man might be Steve Sarkisian over at Texas. He appeared on his colleague John Middlekauff's 3 and Out podcast to discuss some of the bigger topics in college football. Middlekauff is more of an NFL guy, but he loves college football as well. I do understand where Murray is coming from, but Sark feels safe.
The expectations are always unrealistic at Texas, but Murray is right in that seven or eight wins won't cut it. Texas needs to go, at worst, 10-2 in its final year in the Big 12, finish the season ranked inside of the top 25 and probably go to Arlington for 2023 to be a success. Frankly, the Longhorns are on a shortlist of teams who can make the final four-team College Football Playoff.
But for Murray to say Sarkisian is firmly on the hot seat, have you seen Brown or Venables lately?
Truth be told, Oklahoma and Texas will have big decisions to make before joining the SEC in 2024.
Aaron Murray believes Steve Sarkisian is already on the hot seat over at Texas
If you look at the 14-team Big 12 for this season, who else could be on the hot seat besides Brown, Sarkisian and Venables? I think you have to remove Dana Holgorsen, Gus Malzahn, Scott Satterfield and Kalani Sitake from the equation because their programs just turned Power Five yesterday. Outside of Sitake, the other three head coaches all have major Power Five experience.
Sonny Dykes just played for a national title in year one at TCU, so he's safe. Chris Klieman just won the Big 12 at Kansas State, so firing him would be beyond stupid. Mike Gundy is a mainstay at his alma mater at Oklahoma State. Joey McGuire needs more time at Texas Tech. And let's be real. Can Kansas do any better than Lance Leipold? What about Matt Campbell at Iowa State? They cannot!
And that leaves us just one. Shockingly, it might be Dave Aranda. He did lead Baylor to arguably its best season ever two years ago with a Big 12 title, a 12-win season and a Sugar Bowl victory. However, he only has that one great year as a head coach. Frankly, he may be in a similar boat to what Mel Tucker is experiencing now in East Lansing with Michigan State. Keep an eye on this one.
Truth be told, I don't think Texas moves on from Sarkisian after year three in Austin. He has coached in the SEC before, albeit as Nick Saban's offensive coordinator. In actuality, the Longhorns are in a far better position currently than Oklahoma in making the leap up in competition by joining the SEC. Sarkisian is a big reason for that. And in all honesty, who could Texas hire that is better?
I wouldn't touch Urban Meyer with a 10-foot pole, but that is the type of program-altering head coach they would need to bring in if they were to move on from Sark. A lot can change between now and then, but who is that coach in this cycle? Is there even one available? Hugh Freeze could have been that if he didn't go to Auburn. Do you think they can get Deion Sanders or Lincoln Riley?
Sarkisian could be ousted after his third season in Austin, but be careful what you wish for, Texas.