Is Steve Sarkisian Fired? Why Did Steve Sarkisian Leave Washington?
by Sangamithra | Updated Jan 02, 2024
Is Steve Sarkisian Fired?
In 2015, he faced termination from the USC Trojans due to a decision by athletic director Pat Haden. The termination was based on the best interest of the university and student-athletes. Despite leading the Trojans to victory in the previous season's Holiday Bowl, challenges arose with a 3-2 start in the following year.
The decision to fire Sarkisian followed an incident where he allegedly appeared intoxicated during a team meeting. Haden later fired Sarkisian, citing a zero-tolerance policy on alcohol use. Sarkisian, facing allegations of alcohol-related incidents at Washington, filed a $30 million wrongful termination lawsuit against USC, which he later moved to private arbitration and ultimately lost. The coach's departure was marked by concerns about his well-being and professionalism.
Following his departure from USC, Sarkisian took on the role of offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons on February 7, 2017. During his tenure, the team experienced fluctuations in scoring output, dropping from 33.8 to 22.1 points per game in 2017. Despite an improvement to 25.9 points per game in 2018, Sarkisian was fired as offensive coordinator on December 31, 2018.
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Who is Steve Sarkisian?
Steve Sarkisian is an American football coach and former player currently serving as the head coach for the University of Texas at Austin since January 2021. He played college football as a quarterback at Brigham Young University (BYU) and later professionally with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the Canadian Football League (CFL). Sarkisian has had a diverse coaching career, including stints at USC, the Oakland Raiders, and the Atlanta Falcons.
Notably, he led the University of Washington's football team from 2009 to 2013 and the University of Southern California (USC) from 2014 to 2015. With an overall coaching record of 71–49, Sarkisian earned recognition, winning the AP Big 12 Coach of the Year in 2023 and securing a Big 12 Championship for Texas in the same year. His coaching journey also includes roles as the offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons and the University of Alabama, where he received the Broyles Award in 2020.
Full Name
Steve Sarkisian
Date of Birth
March 8, 1974
Place of Birth
Torrance, California, U.S.
Playing Career
El Camino College (1993–1994), BYU (1995–1996), Saskatchewan Roughriders (1997–1999)
Position (Player)
Quarterback
Coaching Debut
El Camino College (2000, QB Coach)
Notable Coaching Roles
USC, Washington, Alabama, Atlanta Falcons, Texas
Championships
1 Big 12 Championship (2023)
Awards
AP Big 12 Coach of the Year (2023), Sammy Baugh Trophy (1996), Broyles Award (2020)
Current Position
Head Coach, University of Texas (since 2021)
Current Conference
Big 12
Head Coaching Record
Overall: 71–49, Bowls: 2–4
Steve Sarkisian Career
Steve Sarkisian has had a diverse and impactful career in football. Starting as a non-scholarship middle infielder on the USC baseball team, Sarkisian later transferred to El Camino College, where he restarted his football career as a redshirt freshman, earning All-Mission Conference honors. His football journey continued at Brigham Young University (BYU) from 1995 to 1996, where he became a standout quarterback.
In his senior year, Sarkisian led BYU to a 14–1 record, earning the WAC Offensive Player of the Year and a second-team All-American nod. His impressive performance in the Cotton Bowl Classic sealed a historic season for the Cougars. After a brief stint in the Canadian Football League (CFL), Sarkisian transitioned to coaching. Starting at El Camino College in 2000, he quickly moved up the ranks, joining USC and the Oakland Raiders.
In 2009, he became the head coach at the University of Washington, reviving the team and achieving notable successes. Sarkisian later returned to USC as the head coach in 2014, facing both triumphs and controversies.
He then went on to coach at Alabama, where he won the Broyles Award for the nation's top coaching assistant in 2020. In 2021, Sarkisian took on the role of head coach at the University of Texas at Austin. Throughout his career, Sarkisian has showcased his coaching prowess and achieved success at various levels, leaving a significant impact on the world of college and professional football.
Steve Sarkisian Age
Born on March 8, 1974, Steve Sarkisian is currently 49 years old. A prominent figure in football, his career has spanned both playing and coaching roles. Sarkisian played college football as a quarterback at Brigham Young University and professionally in the Canadian Football League.
Transitioning to coaching, he held key positions at various institutions, including head coaching roles at the University of Washington, the University of Southern California, and his current position as the head coach at the University of Texas at Austin. Despite facing challenges, Sarkisian's contributions to the sport have marked him as a notable figure in both collegiate and professional football circles.
Steve Sarkisian Net Worth
Steve Sarkisian, the accomplished American college football coach, has a net worth estimated to be around $5 million. His primary income comes from his extensive coaching career in college football, gaining recognition from sources like Wikipedia, Forbes, and Business Insider. Notably, during his time as the head coach of the USC Trojans, his net worth reached about $2.8 million.
His coaching roles at the University of Washington and USC have played a significant role in building his financial success and enhancing his reputation in the football community. As of 2023, his net worth slightly decreased from the estimated $6-7 million in the previous year. Sarkisian's recent position as the University of Texas Football Head Coach further solidifies his financial standing in the realm of college football.
Why Did Steve Sarkisian Leave Washington?
Steve Sarkisian left Washington in 2015 after USC Trojans' athletic director Pat Haden fired him. Sarkisian took an indefinite leave of absence due to health issues and concerns about his behavior, including allegedly appearing intoxicated at a practice. USC placed him on a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol use. Reports of previous alcohol-related incidents at the University of Washington also surfaced. Haden fired Sarkisian, who later filed a $30 million lawsuit against USC for wrongful termination but eventually lost the case.
Is Steve Sarkisian Fired - FAQs
As of now, Steve Sarkisian is not fired; he is actively coaching the Texas Longhorns.
Steve Sarkisian began his coaching journey in 2000 as the quarterbacks coach at El Camino College.
Sarkisian received the AP Big 12 Coach of the Year (2023), Sammy Baugh Trophy (1996), and the Broyles Award (2020).
Steve Sarkisian secured one Big 12 Championship in 2023 while coaching the University of Texas.
Sarkisian is the Head Coach at the University of Texas (since 2021), boasting an overall coaching record of 71–49.