The University of Texas has fired head football coach Tom Herman after four seasons, the University announced in a statement Saturday morning.

“With our football season coming to a close, our vice president and athletics director, Chris Del Conte, has evaluated the UT program’s strengths and weaknesses and where the program is relative to our goals,” the University said in the statement. “While we have made measured progress during the past several years under Tom Herman’s leadership, Chris has recommended to the University president, Jay Hartzell, that UT make a coaching change to get us on track to achieving our ambitious goals.”

Herman went 32-18 in his four seasons as the Longhorns’ head coach and posted Texas’ only 10-win season in the past decade in 2018, which culminated in a 28–21 victory over then-No. 5 Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. Texas posted an 8-5 record in 2019 and finished 25th in the AP Top 25 after beginning the season with a top-10 ranking. The Longhorns ranked as high as eighth in 2020 before finishing 7-3 with a win over Colorado in the Alamo Bowl. 

“Decisions like this are very, very difficult and certainly not something I take lightly,” Del Conte said in a statement. “After much deliberation and a great deal of thought, as I looked back at the totality of where our football program is and discussing its future, it became apparent that it was in the best interest of The University of Texas to move in a different direction.”

Del Conte previously said in a Dec. 12 statement that “with the end of the regular season, I want to reiterate that Tom Herman is our coach.” USA Today reported that Herman is owed $15 million to buy out the remaining three years of his contract and his assistants are owed $10 million.

The Dallas Morning News reported that Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian is expected to replace Herman as the Longhorns’ head coach. 

“I’m grateful for all coach Herman has done and the hard work and dedication he and his staff have put in on behalf of our program and student-athletes,” Del Conte said. “I thank him for all his efforts and his service to our institution, and I wish him the best in the future.

Editor's Note: This story has been corrected to include the correct spelling of Steve Sarkisian's last name. It was originally spelled Sarkesian. The Texan regrets this error.