Steve Sarkisian calls out NCAA for failure to certify agents

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian. Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Texas HC Steve Sarkisian calls out NCAA for failure to certify player agents properly: 'It may be their college roommate'

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Dec 30, 2025 7:01 PM ET

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian is negotiating with agents. He suspects that some are calling from their dorm rooms.

Ahead of the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl against the Michigan Wolverines (9-3) on New Year's Eve (3 p.m. ET, ABC), Sarkisian discussed the Longhorns' transfer portal strategy. Texas (9-3) is expected to target stars, such as wide receiver Cam Coleman, to address roster holes and return to the College Football Playoff next season. (The WR announced Monday he's entering the transfer portal after two seasons with the Auburn Tigers.)

Some NIL (name, image and likeness) talks have clearly frustrated Sarkisian and left him questioning these "agents'" credentials.

Steve Sarkisian rips NCAA for failing to certify agents properly

"There are some agents that are rational, and there are some agents that this is their first time being an agent," Sarkisian said Tuesday. "I don't even know if they are licensed to be an agent, and all of a sudden, they get to be agents because we have no certification process in college football.

"In the NFL, you have to be certified. In college football, it may be their college roommate their freshman year, and this guy is throwing out numbers, and it's like we can't even deal with this. Like you just move on."

#Texas HC Steve Sarkisian didn't hold back when it comes to dealing with agents.

"There's some agents that are rational and there's some that this is their first time to ever be an agent. I don't even know if they're licensed... We can't even deal with this." pic.twitter.com/68LDpKet81
— OnTexasFootball (@ontexasfootball) December 30, 2025

To become an NFL agent, one must be certified by the NFL Players Association, which requires a non-refundable application fee of $2,500, a background check, a postgraduate degree or seven years of experience. Prospective agents must then attend a mandatory seminar and pass an exam in accordance with league rules.

The NCAA has an application process for agents, but it primarily concerns college basketball players who are weighing whether to enter the NBA. It seems it lacks the same oversight for college football players.

Sarkisian added he's optimistic new rules will eventually be implemented to help players hire qualified representatives. Until then, he expects many to keep asking for unrealistic numbers. Luckily for those agents, he may answer their call after other suitors have spurned them.

"I'm probably going to be on the phone with an agent today that's going to throw a number at me that I'm gonna be like, 'Good luck, I hope you get it. If you don't, call us back,'" he said.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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