If not for his first season, Steve Sarkisian would have never had a losing season with the Longhorns. After a strong 12-2 finish in the 2023 season, HC Sarkisian only bettered Texas’s record 13-3 and won their first-ever playoff appearance last season. So, one thing was sure that no matter what, the Longhorns will stick to Sarkisian as their honcho. And with that kind of NCAA resume, the leap to the NFL could’ve been a no-brainer, considering his strong NFL coaching background. But when pressed about those pro-level ambitions, the Texas HC made it clear he’s staying put, saying, “we have got a lot of unfinished business.”

After leading the Longhorns to back-to-back semi-finals of the College Football Playoff, Sarkisian also received a new contract that runs through the 2031 season. In 2025 alone, he will earn $10.8 million. To top it off, Texas also added three additional full-time assistant coaches to further strengthen Sarkisian’s support staff. Texas HC also sounded confident to be part of a long-term project with the Longhorns.

“I didn’t ever want to be a program that was a one-hit wonder, that was able to do it one year and then just fall off,” Sarkisian said. “I think we’ve built this thing in a way that we’ve been consistently growing.” Still, if an NFL opportunity comes knocking on his door, would Sarkisian be able to say NO? An SEC insider just explored this situation amidst Sarkisian’s Texas promise.

On the April 18 episode of That SEC Football Podcast, SEC Mike dropped a bomb that got Longhorn Nation buzzing. “I don’t know how long Sarkesian is going to be there. I think if there’s one SEC coach that makes the most sense to jump to the NFL, it’s probably Sarkisian,” he said. And honestly, it tracks. Sark’s NFL resume is no joke—quarterbacks coach for the Raiders, OC for the Falcons, then lighting it up at Bama. So, with that kind of pedigree and play-calling genius, it’s not a matter of ‘if’ the NFL comes calling… It’s ‘when.’

But here’s the twist—Mike didn’t stop there. He added, “But I don’t think he’s going anywhere, until he wins a national championship. And they certainly got the resources; they’re throwing everything they can to give him what he wants.” So, in other words, Sark’s got unfinished business in Austin. The NFL can wait—Texas is all-in on chasing that national title of CFB, and Sark isn’t backing down until he gets it.

Right now, with Nick Saban’s dynasty in the rearview, the SEC throne feels wide open. However, Mike didn’t hesitate to crown Georgia as the team to beat. But then came the kicker—”Buddy, I think if there’s a close, close second, it’s got to be Texas,” Mike told Shane. That’s high praise. And it only fuels the fire for Steve Sarkisian. So, the path to a national championship is there, and Sark has the keys.

Co-host Cousin Shane jumped on the Texas hype train with full steam, backing Mike’s bold call. He was fired up, declaring the Longhorns are headed for a national title under Steve Sarkisian. For Shane, it wasn’t just about potential—it was about production. He pointed to the win total sitting around nine and a half and argued that ten wins is well within reach. However, a playoff spot? Definitely on the table. But there’s a caveat. Another SEC title game loss or an early playoff exit could dull the shine. Still, Shane believes Texas is casting a bigger shadow than ever—and it’s only growing.

While SEC insiders believe Steve Sarkisian has the tools and the chance to make a national title run, they also weighed in on the massive pressure surrounding Arch Manning. Because make no mistake—Arch Manning faces a stark crisis.

Steve Sarkisian’s QB1 is staring down a crisis

At long last, Arch Manning gets his shot to carry the weight of a legendary name. Look, with uncles like Eli and Peyton, and grandpa Archie watching, the spotlight couldn’t be brighter. This isn’t just about college stardom—NFL eyes are already locked in. But before he can rise, Arch has to survive the storm. The pressure is real. The fanbase is demanding. And the road ahead? It starts with a triple threat that could shake any young QB. Now it’s time to shift out of neutral and hit full throttle.

Carrying the heavyweight Manning name is no easy ride, but Arch makes it look smooth. He’s not just living up to the legacy—he’s building his own. With jaw-dropping stats against Mississippi State and UTSA, the doubters are running out of breath. Nepotism? Not a chance. Arch is proving he’s got the game, not just the name. Analyst Thor Nystrom already sees him headed to the NFL—with the Saints, no less. The torch isn’t just lit—it’s blazing.

On3’s J.D. PicKell just hit the panic button for Texas. His warning? Arch Manning doesn’t have enough firepower out wide. That’s right—receiver depth is looking thin. “Around Arch Manning, the receiver position is a little bit limited,” said PicKell. Not only this, for the fourth straight year, Texas is diving into the portal for help. This time, it’s Stanford transfer Emmett Mosley V. He’s got talent, no doubt. But there’s a snag—Mosley isn’t taking part in spring practice. That’s a big red flag. And for Arch Manning, it means walking into the storm without his full arsenal.

Because spring ball is when chemistry is built, especially between QBs and wideouts. But for Arch Manning, that window’s already looking shaky. Sure, fans might be banking on Ryan Wingo. The sophomore flashed big-time potential and even jumped Isaiah Bond late last season. Then there’s DeAndre Moore, the junior grinding on the jugs machine, building solid timing with Arch since Year One.

Sounds promising—until bad luck strikes again. Because even with talent, injuries and inconsistencies have kept this WR room from being fully locked in. And for Arch, that spells trouble.