- Steve Sarkisian's salary at Texas jumps to $10.3 million after his contract extension, and Jimbo Fisher enjoys a $77 million buyout from Texas A&M.
- Peel back the layers and you'll see that Steve Sarkisian's Texas contract is different than Jimbo Fisher's Aggies contract.
- Steve Sarkisian led the Longhorns to the College Football Playoff. Jimbo Fisher couldn't get the Aggies there.
This deal started in Texas, and it's a big deal.
In these two ways, the contracts of Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian and former Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher are similar. Maybe it's true that everything is bigger in Texas, even salaries. Sarkisian's salary has now jumped to $10.3 million, while Fisher enjoys a record $77 million buyout.
But once you start peeling back the layers, you'll see a lot of arguments against Sarkisian being Fisher 2.0. The Longhorns hope so, anyway. This contract extension with Sarkisian means they are under contract through the 2030 season. While Fisher is counting down his retirement savings, the Longhorns are betting Sarkisian's elevator will still go up.
On this edition of USA TODAY Network's “SEC Football Unfiltered” podcast: blake topmeyer and nick kelly Let's take a look at Sarkisian's payday and why it makes sense for Texas. Later in the episode, Karen DeBoer checks in on Alabama as it prepares for his first spring practice in the SEC.
On Sarkisian's side, here are four reasons why this deal is different from Texas A&M's failed marriage to Fisher.
Top Meyer:Is Steve Sarkisian going to be Jimbo Fisher 2.0? I don't think so
opinion:Steve Sarkisian is no Jimbo Fisher, but his salary increase is too much
Inside Alabama Football:Karen DeBoer talks about how she will be involved in Alabama football's offense
1. Steve Sarkisian is at the top of his game in Texas. Jimbo Fisher was past his peak before joining Texas A&M. Sarkisian's starting salary at Texas was much more modest than Fisher's starting rate at Texas A&M. Sarkisian earned a pay increase after leading Texas to its first appearance in the College Football Playoff and its best season since 2009. The Aggies spent a lot of money on Fisher because of his success at Florida State. By the time Fisher left Tallahassee, his career was in the doldrums. He showed signs of rejuvenating his career with the Aggies, but fell short of the peak Jameis Winston reached at FSU. As a Heisman Trophy winner, Winston made Fisher's career.
2. Sarkisian's raise will allow him to earn a market value salary. Fisher's contract and extension bucked market trends. Texas A&M started a trend of signing long-term, fully guaranteed contracts. Fisher's original contract was fully guaranteed and expired for 10 years. Texas A&M then extended Fisher's contract while he still had seven seasons left on his original contract, re-establishing a 10-year deal. The Aggies have redefined the coaching contract (and buyout) market. Rather, Sarkisian's financing and extension is a response to an existing new market.
3. Sarkisian's contract is shorter than Fisher's. As previously mentioned, Fisher's original contract was a 10-year contract, which was extended to a 10-year contract again. At the time of his firing in November, Fisher was under contract through the 2031 season, resulting in a huge buyout. Even after the extension, Sarkisian's contract only runs through 2030. He never signed a 10-year contract. This extension means he is under contract for the next seven seasons. This is a long-term commitment, but it still pales in comparison to Fisher's deal with A&M.
4. Sarkisian has actually coached in the playoffs. Fisher never got there. Texas A&M paid Fisher to be a playoff coach, but he never coached a CFP game. He came closest during the 2020 pandemic season. Fisher never even took the Aggies to the SEC Championship Game. Sarkisian led the Longhorns to the playoffs and the Big 12 Championship. The Aggies owed Fisher a great deal. Sarkisian earned his salary.
later in the episode
– What are the biggest question marks facing Alabama heading into DeBoer’s first season? Here are the top three. How good is the secondary after a notable loss? How good is the offensive line after a notable loss? Jalen Milroe has proven himself to be a talented quarterback, but DeBoer And can he prove a good fit for his system?
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Blake Topmeyer is the SEC columnist for the USA TODAY Network. Nick Kelly is the Alabama beat writer for the Tuscaloosa News. Subscribe to the SEC Football Unfiltered podcast and check out his SEC Unfiltered newsletter delivered straight to your inbox.
