BREAKING: Texas Longhorns’ Kyle Flood Rejects Stunning $3 Million Offer From Georgia Bulldogs to Stay in Austin
In a move that sent shockwaves through the college football landscape, Texas Longhorns offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Kyle Flood has reportedly turned down a staggering $3 million annual offer from the Georgia Bulldogs, choosing instead to remain in Austin and continue building toward what he believes could be a national championship run with the Longhorns. This stunning development is not only a statement of loyalty from Flood, but also a major win for head coach Steve Sarkisian and the Texas program as it prepares for life in the Southeastern Conference.
Flood’s decision isn’t just about money — it’s about vision, trust, and the belief that Texas football is on the brink of something special. While Georgia, the reigning power in college football with multiple national titles in recent years, made an aggressive push to lure Flood away with one of the most lucrative assistant coach offers in college football history, the Longhorns managed to hold on to one of their most valuable assets at a critical juncture in the program’s rise.
The context makes this development even more dramatic. Georgia’s pursuit of Flood was reportedly part of a larger strategy to revamp their offensive staff following internal restructuring. With Georgia consistently operating among the nation’s elite and setting the standard for defensive excellence, the Bulldogs wanted to inject new energy into their offensive approach. Flood, known for his strategic mind, recruiting prowess, and developmental success, was at the top of their list. The offer made to him — $3 million annually — would have made him one of the highest-paid assistant coaches in the country, rivaling salaries typically reserved for NFL coordinators.
And yet, Flood said no.
This decision speaks volumes about where Texas is headed. Flood, who has been with the Longhorns since 2021, has played a central role in developing one of the most dynamic offenses in college football. His offensive lines have been dominant, his schemes adaptable, and his recruiting impact undeniable. While his title has primarily been offensive coordinator with a focus on the offensive line, his influence on the broader offensive identity has grown each year, particularly as Texas has recruited and developed high-level talent across multiple skill positions.
In recent months, Flood’s role has reportedly expanded behind the scenes to encompass more wide receiver development and game planning responsibilities — a testament to Sarkisian’s trust in him and Flood’s increasingly versatile coaching profile. With the Longhorns heading into their inaugural season in the SEC, stability and continuity within the coaching staff were paramount. Losing Flood to a direct conference rival, especially one of Georgia’s caliber, would have been a seismic blow. Instead, Texas fans can breathe a massive sigh of relief.
So why did Flood turn down the money?
Sources close to the program suggest that Flood’s loyalty to Sarkisian played a key role. The two have worked together for nearly a decade, dating back to their days at Alabama. Sarkisian trusts Flood implicitly with the offensive identity of the program, and Flood appreciates being part of a long-term vision — one where he’s not just an assistant, but a foundational pillar. That sense of partnership is rare in today’s college football landscape, where job security is fleeting and loyalty is often overshadowed by financial temptation.
Then there’s the matter of unfinished business. Texas is coming off its most successful season in over a decade, having reached the College Football Playoff and won the Big 12 title in its final year before moving to the SEC. With a loaded roster, elite incoming recruiting classes, and momentum on their side, the Longhorns are legitimate national title contenders. Flood’s fingerprints are all over that progress. From building an elite offensive line to helping recruit five-star talents like Arch Manning, Ryan Wingo, and Brandon Baker, Flood has played a vital role in elevating Texas from a program with potential to one with production.
By staying, Flood is doubling down on the belief that Texas isn’t just climbing — it’s ready to compete at the highest level now. The resources in Austin are unmatched. The fanbase is engaged. The NIL infrastructure is thriving. And for Flood, this isn’t just about comfort — it’s about legacy. Winning a national championship at Texas, after decades of frustration and near-misses, would solidify his place in college football history in a way that even the richest assistant salary can’t buy.
It also matters that Texas responded swiftly and emphatically once news of Georgia’s offer surfaced. Sources indicate that the university leadership, including athletic director Chris Del Conte, made clear that retaining Flood was a top priority. While Texas may not have matched Georgia’s offer dollar for dollar, the school reportedly restructured Flood’s contract with a substantial raise and additional incentives tied to performance and team success. That commitment — financial and institutional — made it clear that Flood is valued not just as a play caller, but as a leader and architect of the Longhorns’ future.
Georgia’s interest in Flood wasn’t surprising. His track record speaks for itself. Before joining Texas, he was instrumental in Alabama’s 2020 national championship run. He has developed multiple All-American linemen, helped construct dominant rushing attacks, and earned a reputation as one of the best recruiters in the country. Georgia, despite its recent dominance, is always looking to evolve. Head coach Kirby Smart knows that continued success requires staying ahead of trends, and Flood represented a strategic hire who could have elevated the Bulldogs’ offensive ceiling. That he turned them down is not a knock on Georgia, but a testament to what Texas has built — and what Flood believes is still to come.
Flood’s decision also has ripple effects beyond the field. It sends a strong message to current players and recruits: Texas is a place people want to be. Stability among assistant coaches is a rarity in modern college football, where staff turnover is constant. But keeping a key coordinator signals that Texas isn’t just building — it’s sustaining. For recruits considering the Longhorns, it shows that their development will be overseen by the same coaches who recruited them. For current players, it ensures continuity in system and culture. For fans, it’s a reason to believe that the best days of Texas football may finally be arriving.
It’s easy to get swept up in numbers when talking about coaching salaries. $3 million is life-changing money, and in many cases, it would be enough to shift a coach’s trajectory. But Kyle Flood’s decision shows that sometimes, belief matters more. Belief in a head coach. Belief in a team. Belief in a destination that has everything needed to win — and win big.
As Texas prepares to embark on its first season in the SEC, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The conference is stacked with elite programs, legendary coaches, and NFL-level talent across every roster. Texas will need to be at its very best — strategically, culturally, and operationally — to not just survive, but thrive. Keeping Kyle Flood is a critical piece of that puzzle. It gives Sarkisian the continuity he needs, gives players the structure they trust, and gives Texas a proven winner in a pivotal leadership role.
This decision also underscores the shifting power dynamics in college football. For years, Georgia and Alabama were the programs that poached top assistants from others. Now, Texas is pushing back. They’re not just keeping their best — they’re warding off the biggest names in the sport. That’s not just a win for one coach or one program. That’s a sign of Texas’s new standing in the sport.
The message is clear: the Longhorns aren’t just back. They’re here to stay. And with Kyle Flood firmly planted in Austin, the road to college football supremacy runs through the heart of Texas.
