Response to Coaching Rumors
Texas State Vice President and Athletic Director Chris Del Conte firmly rejected rumors linking Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian to potential NFL head coaching positions. In a recent appearance on “The Paul Finebaum Show,” Del Conte revealed that Sarkisian was understandably upset about the speculation, labeling it as “not true.”
Del Conte expressed his frustration with the timing of the reports, stating that they emerged while the team was preparing for a game against Mississippi State. “We were just trying to focus on playing that night, and the story lacked any merit,” he commented. He further criticized the media, noting that retractions often lack reliability since they’re based on hearsay rather than direct communication.
He emphasized the importance of maintaining good relationships with both coaches and players, suggesting that discussions about coaching positions should be kept private. “Now, with everything on social media, the noise can become overwhelming,” he acknowledged.
Sarkisian has been a topic of NFL speculation for a while, especially after leading Texas to the College Football Playoff semifinals last year, which earned him a contract extension. He has previous NFL coaching experience, having served as a quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator with different teams.
As the Longhorns enjoy a promising 7-2 start this season, media reports have resurfaced suggesting Sarkisian’s interest in NFL opportunities, but his agents firmly shot down these claims, describing them as “patently false and grossly inaccurate.”
Despite the interest, Del Conte recognized the implications of such speculation: “It’s an honor to have an NFL team talking about him.” However, after a victory over Mississippi State, Sarkisian expressed his anger regarding the rumors, stressing, “We need to protect our locker room and our team.”
In a postgame press conference, he criticized the professionalism of the report, saying it was embarrassing for the media. “I have a small circle, and no one speaks for me without my knowledge. I want to address where that report originated because it’s simply ridiculous,” he added.
Following their recent win against No. 9 Vanderbilt, which showcased Arch Manning’s impressive performance, Texas is set to face No. 5 Georgia on November 15.
