Texas has parted ways with Tom Herman as head coach after four seasons with Steve Sarkisian identified as their preferred replacement.
Texas said in a statement that athletic director Chris Del Conte evaluated the program and recommended a change to university president Jay Hartzell. Herman went 32-18 at Texas and 7-3 this past season.
Sarkisian declined overtures from Auburn in its head-coaching search last month and turned down the Colorado head-coaching job last year.
Texas will owe Herman about $15 million to buy out the last three years of his contract.