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Texas was in the market for a new head coach after the Tom Herman era came to abrupt end after four years of mediocrity. You could only stomach the phrase “winning is hard” for so long.
The Longhorns did not lack the talent as they signed multiple top three recruiting classes in the nation under Herman. It was the player development aspect that was severely lacking over the last several seasons. On top of that, Texas looked extremely undisciplined on the field at times.
First-year head coach Steve Sarkisian is looking to bring a winning culture to Austin after stints with the Atlanta Falcons and Alabama Crimson Tide. On January 2, 2021 the Longhorns hired Sarkisian and he’s been “All Gas No Brakes” since arriving to the Forty Acres.
Where does Sarkisian land in terms of each new head coach that was hired throughout the offseason? Athlon Sports recently ranked all of college football’s newest coaches and Sarkisian is very high on the list. One other Big 12 hire was included as well.
Take a look at Athlon Sports’ top 10 head coaching hires this year:
Jedd Fisch, Arizona
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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Maurice Linguist, Buffalo
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Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Terry Bowden, University of Louisiana Monroe
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Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports
Shane Beamer, South Carolina
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Steve Sisney/The Oklahoman via AP, File
Charles Huff, Marshall
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Mickey Welsh via Imagn Content Services, LLC
Kane Wommack, South Alabama
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Jody Link/Pensacola News Journal
Butch Jones, Arkansas State
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C.B. Schmelter / The Jackson Sun via Imagn Content Services, LLC
Josh Heupel, Tennessee
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Caitie McLekin/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP, Pool
Blake Anderson, Utah State
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Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Andy Avalos, Boise State
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Andy Nelson via Imagn Content Services, LLC
Will Hall, Southern Miss
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AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis
Bret Bielema, Illinois
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Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Gus Malzahn, UCF
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John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Bryan Harsin, Auburn
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Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Lance Leipold, Kansas
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Evert Nelson/The Capital-Journal via Imagn Content Services, LLC
Clark Lea, Vanderbilt
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Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Steve Sarkisian, Texas
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AP Photo/Michael Thomas
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