After weeks of speculation, message-board frenzy, booster whisper campaigns, and national pundits pushing headlines that lit the college-football world on fire, the University of Texas has officially shut down the biggest storyline of the offseason: Deion Sanders will not be the next head coach of the Texas Longhorns.

Athletic Director Chris Del Conte made it clear during a closed-door meeting with university stakeholders and later in a firm conversation with select reporters.

Colorado’s head coach — the most polarizing figure in college football — is not on the Texas shortlist.

Not the first choice.

Not the second.

Not even under consideration.

And with that revelation came another: Texas already knows exactly who it wants.

According to multiple high-level sources, Del Conte has zeroed in on four elite candidates — a group described as “proven program builders with championship DNA” — to lead the Longhorns into their SEC future.

The move all but confirms that Texas is preparing for the post-Sarkisian era, whether that time comes this season or the moment the final whistle blows in January.

But before addressing the next chapter, Sarkisian himself addressed the storm surrounding him.

Sarkisian Speaks: “Stop the Noise. Respect the Work.”

With expectations at an all-time high and national scrutiny intensifying, Steve Sarkisian finally broke his silence on the constant speculation regarding his job security.

His message was direct, emotional, and designed to send a shockwave through the fanbase:

“I know what I’m doing — and why I’m doing it. No one wants to see the Arkansas win more than I do. So stop the noise, and start respecting the work we’re putting in.”

The statement sparked immediate debate.

Some Longhorn fans applauded his confidence.

Others saw it as a defensive posture — a sign that he feels the job slipping away.

But inside the Texas athletic department, one thing has already been decided:

The program must be ready for what comes next.

And the four names at the top of Del Conte’s list reveal just how aggressively Texas plans to reshape the future.

THE TEXAS SHORTLIST: FOUR COACHES WHO COULD CHANGE EVERYTHING

Sources inside the department say Del Conte’s list focuses on coaches who have:

• Built elite offenses

• Recruited nationally at a top-10 level

• Produced NFL development pipelines

• Managed pressure-heavy environments

• Won big games against elite competition

And surprisingly — or maybe not — none of the candidates come from Colorado.

Let’s break down the four names Texas is targeting.

1. Dan Lanning — Oregon Head Coach

If Texas wants the hottest young coach in America, Dan Lanning is the crown jewel.

At just 38 years old, Lanning has already:

• Turned Oregon into a top-five powerhouse

• Built one of the most aggressive defenses in the country

• Created an SEC-style recruiting machine on the West Coast

• Won major road games against ranked opponents

Texas insiders describe Lanning as “a CEO with fire,” a coach who blends modern schemes with old-school toughness. His SEC roots (Georgia defensive coordinator) make him especially attractive as Texas enters the SEC gauntlet.

Del Conte is reportedly prepared to make Lanning the highest-paid coach in America if needed.

2. Kalen DeBoer — Alabama Head Coach

DeBoer may be the most complete coach in the sport.

With:

• National championships

• High-octane offense

• Player-friendly culture

• NFL-caliber quarterback development

he checks every box Texas has ever wanted in a head coach.

DeBoer’s rapid rise is unprecedented, and sources say the Longhorns deeply admire his adaptability and calm leadership style.

But luring him away from Alabama would require a monumental financial offer — one Texas boosters are absolutely willing to consider.

3. Mike Norvell — Florida State Head Coach

Norvell has rebuilt Florida State brick by brick, restoring the Seminoles to national prominence with:

• Ruthless recruiting

• Explosive offensive schemes

• Transfer-portal mastery

• Discipline and culture transformation

Texas views Norvell as someone who understands the weight of big-time expectations — and thrives under them.

Several boosters believe he’s the most “Texas-ready” coach on the list.

4. Glenn Schumann — Georgia Co-Defensive Coordinator

The dark-horse candidate.

Don’t let the lack of head-coaching experience fool you — Glenn Schumann is one of the most respected young minds in college football. The architect behind Georgia’s generational defenses, Schumann has:

• Developed dozens of NFL players

• Directed multiple national championship units

• Become Kirby Smart’s top lieutenant

• Earned a national reputation as a “future superstar head coach”

Texas insiders compare him to a young Kirby Smart or young Ryan Day.

If Texas wants to build the toughest defense in the SEC, Schumann might be the surprise hire that changes the next decade of Longhorn football.

Why Deion Sanders Was Eliminated From Consideration

Despite rumors, fan theories, and social-media hype, Texas never viewed Deion Sanders as a viable fit.

According to sources:

• His recruiting style clashed with Texas’ long-term development vision

• His high-profile spotlight was seen as a “risk” in the SEC

• Questions about staff stability raised concerns

• Texas preferred leaders with proven Power Five consistency

Del Conte reportedly respects Sanders — but sees him as a “brand,” not a “program architect.”

For a university desperate for championship stability, that distinction mattered.

What This Means for Sarkisian

Publicly, Sark remains the head coach of Texas.

Privately?

Everyone understands he is coaching for his future.

Texas has not committed to retaining him through next season. The Arkansas game — and every game after — now carries weight that no one is pretending to ignore.

A loss to a rival could tilt the balance.

A bowl embarrassment could seal his fate.

A strong finish could buy him another year.

But one thing is crystal clear:

Texas has already prepared its next move.

The Stakes: A New Era of SEC Football

Next season marks Texas’ full immersion into the SEC.

The boosters know.

The athletic department knows.

The players know.

The SEC isn’t the Big 12.

There is no margin for error.

Texas needs:

• A CEO-level leader

• A master recruiter

• A motivator

• A strategist

• A builder

The biggest programs in America have proven that hiring the right coach is not a luxury — it is destiny.

And that is why the shortlist matters.

Conclusion: A Storm Is Coming — And Texas Is Preparing Its Strike

The Longhorns have made one thing unmistakably clear:

The Deion Sanders rumors are dead.

The Steve Sarkisian era is on the brink.

The next coach will define the next 20 years of Texas football.

Chris Del Conte has the list in his hands.

The boosters have their checkbooks open.

The SEC is waiting.

And the entire college-football world is watching to see which coach Texas chooses to rebuild — or rescue — the future of the Longhorns.

Because in Austin, the next decision is not just about football.

It’s about identity.

Legacy.

And destiny.