Steve Sarkisian Talks About His Decision To Stay In Austin After Reported Alabama Interest

Following Nick Saban's retirement at Alabama, several reports linked Steve Sarkisian as a possible candidate to take the Crimson Tide job.

Sarkisian ended up signing a new deal at Texas and recently talked about staying put in Austin. Per On3:

quote:

---

“The speculation and outside world, I think it was just that,” Sarkisian said. “We were in the process of developing and getting my new contract done. I think we’re just on the cusp of doing some really special things here at the University of Texas. Fortunate but no, that was not really a reality.”

“For me, growing up in LA, I like a little city in my life,” Sarkisian said. “I like a little bit of concrete. I don’t mind that I-35 runs just East of campus right here. I love that there are plenty of places downtown to go eat. I love that we have a city of over 1 million here in Austin.

“But I also do love this — I love that in Austin, there is no pro sports. Texas, University of Texas, Texas Football, we’re really the pro football team in this town. So, we have the best of both worlds. That’s nothing to take away of being in Tuscaloosa, which is a true college town… Different than even being in LA where so many other things going on… There is a really unique niche here in Austin that we’re really trying to capitalize on.”

---