Steve Sarkisian is not happy: Pushes back against Texas Longhorns money decision

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian has publicly refuted claims that his football program has spent $40 million on its roster, calling the figure "irresponsible reporting" during a recent interview with SiriusXM's College Sports Radio. The report, originally published by Kirk Bohls of the Houston Chronicle, alleged that Texas' payroll included $20.5 million in revenue-sharing funds from the athletic department, along with additional payouts via a Texas NIL collective. Sarkisian, however, said the true cost is closer to $25 million.

Sarkisian, who has led the Longhorns to back-to-back College Football Playoff appearances, credited Texas' strong financial backing to the program's success and the 20-plus NFL draftees produced in the past two seasons. However, he acknowledged the reality of modern college football, where NIL money plays a key role in recruiting and player retention. "The idea to think that a lot of other schools aren't spending money to get players? It's the state of college football right now. It is what it is," he remarked.

The reported $40 million figure would place Texas' spending at nearly double that of Ohio State, which reportedly spent $20 million on its national championship roster last season. Sarkisian dismissed the notion that Texas has outspent elite programs by such a wide margin, sarcastically adding, "I wish I had about another $15 million or so. We might have a better roster." While acknowledging the financial strength of his program, he insisted that Texas is not an outlier in spending.

This is still a thing to evaluate for everywhere

The debate over NIL spending and roster costs is intensifying, as college football continues to move toward a structured revenue-sharing model. With programs allocating millions of dollars to recruit and retain top-tier talent, the sport's financial landscape has shifted dramatically from its amateur roots, when student-athletes were not allowed to profit from their name, image, and likeness. The growing emphasis on NIL deals has raised questions about competitive balance and the need for regulations to prevent excessive spending by wealthier programs.

Sarkisian's comments highlight the uncertainty surrounding future NIL regulations. Many expect legislation or NCAA guidelines to limit how much money schools can directly spend on players, but until those rules are established, programs like Texas will continue leveraging their financial strength to stay competitive. The Longhorns' deep resources remain a significant advantage, but Sarkisian insists they are not outpacing other elite programs to the extent that recent reports suggest.

For now, Texas remains one of the most well-funded programs in the country, and Sarkisian's denial of a $40 million payroll won't erase concerns about escalating roster costs across college football. As schools invest heavily in player compensation, the sport inches closer to professional-level spending, forcing officials to reckon with long-term financial sustainability.