UT regents OK Sarkisian’s deal

University of Texas System regents approved a six-year, $34.2 million guaranteed contract for new football coach Steve Sarkisian.

The regents also approved more than $21 million in guaranteed contracts for Sarkisian’s staff. Three of his assistants got three-year guaranteed pacts worth more than $1 million annually. The highest paid is defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski at $1.7 million per year.

Sarkisian was hired in early January to replace Tom Herman, who was fired with more than $15 million left on his contract. In other news:

• El Campo running back Rueben Owens verbally committed to Texas, giving the Longhorns their first pledge from the 2023 class.

Owens has been in the spotlight since his freshman season. He is ranked No. 2 in the country at his position in the 2023 class by 247Sports. The four-star recruit rushed for 1,511 yards with 24 total touchdowns this season.