Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons

Ex-Falcons coordinator Steve Sarkisian hired as Texas coach

Falcons offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, coach Dan Quinn, and players react in the final minutes of a 22-19 loss to the Dallas Cowboys in a NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Credit: ccompton@ajc.com

Credit: ccompton@ajc.com

Falcons offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, coach Dan Quinn, and players react in the final minutes of a 22-19 loss to the Dallas Cowboys in a NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com
By
Jan 2, 2021

The University of Texas hired former Falcons offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian as its head coach.

The Longhorns fired coach Tom Herman on Saturday, and Saturday afternoon announced that Sarkisian, the offensive coordinator at Alabama, will replace him.

Sarkisian succeeded Kyle Shanahan after the Falcons’ loss to New England in the Super Bowl in February 2017, when Shanahan accepted the job as head coach of the 49ers. Sarkisian coordinated the Falcons’ offense for two seasons under coach Dan Quinn before he was fired and landed at Alabama.

The Falcons compiled a 17-15 record with Sarkisian as OC. Alabama is preparing to play Ohio State in the College Football Playoff Championship game Jan. 11.

About the Author

Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.

Follow D. Orlando Ledbetter on facebookFollow D. Orlando Ledbetter on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Unlike last season, when Kirk Cousins was the undisputed starter for the Atlanta Falcons at quarterback heading into training camp, this season it's Michael Penix Jr. (center). Training camp begins next week. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Check out all of the AJC’s Falcons preseason position previews

Atlanta Falcons beat writer D. Orlando Ledbetter breaks down the Atlanta Falcons before they report to training camp July 23 for their first practice July 24.

Can rookies Jalon Walker, James Pearce Jr. improve Falcons’ dormant pass rush?

The rookie linebackers who were selected in the first round of the NFL draft, will have a lot of pressure on them to help improve the Falcons’ dormant pass rush.

Special-teams preview: Falcons’ Koo faces competition after 2024 regression

After missing 5 field goals in both 2022 and 2023, the Falcons' Younghoe Koo missed 9 last season — though 2 were blocked, special teams coordinator Marquice Williams noted.

The Latest

Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (left) speaks with running back Bijan Robinson during minicamp on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, in Flowery Branch. It’s truly Penix’s team for the first time since Atlanta drafted him No. 8 overall last year. (Mike Stewart/AP)

Credit: AP

Pressure on Falcons’ Raheem Morris to have Michael Penix Jr. ready to play

Special-teams preview: Falcons’ Koo faces competition after 2024 regression

Check out all of the AJC’s Falcons preseason position previews

Featured

“Our members cannot be bought off,” General President Sean O’Brien said in a social media statement, calling UPS' offers “illegal and haphazard.” (Hyosub Shin/AJC 2023)

Credit: Hyosub Shin/AJC

UPS offers unprecedented buyouts for drivers

The Teamsters union, which represents about 340,000 UPS employees, is urging its full-time members to reject the offers.

Longtime south Atlanta flea market set for massive mixed-use makeover

The developer is planning one of the largest projects in Atlanta’s Southside, a more than $500 million project near Greenbriar Mall.

MARTA chief Collie Greenwood retiring early

MARTA CEO and General Manager Collie Greenwood is leaving “because of immigration and personal matters” and has elected early retirement.