Desmond Howard Reveals Bold Wish List for Michigan’s Next Head Coach—Fans Are Buzzing

Desmond Howard finds himself in the middle of college football’s latest coaching-carousel firestorm after a tongue-in-cheek social-media video hinted the Texas job could soon reopen. What began as a playful post has drawn a pointed rebuttal from Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian, swift push-back from Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte and an avalanche of fan reaction—placing Howard squarely in the spotlight just days before bowl-selection weekend. Howard’s viral trash-day take The College GameDay analyst recorded a short clip while taking out his garbage, teasing that “you might want to keep an eye on Austin” because “jobs could be opening up.” Within minutes, the 1991 Heisman winner’s comments lit up X (formerly Twitter), fueling talk that Sarkisian might bolt for the NFL. Sarkisian claps back Addressing reporters on Thursday, Sarkisian said the speculation was “absolutely false,” adding: “Some pundits can’t just take their trash out and start predicting job openings”. The third-year coach emphasized his commitment to Texas and insisted he wanted zero distractions for players preparing for a potential New Year’s Six bid. Longhorn leadership doubles down Del Conte echoed the sentiment, directly quoting Howard’s video with “News to me,” a remark Longhorn Nation interpreted as both humor and a public vote of confidence in Sarkisian. University sources later reiterated no NFL franchise has formally contacted the coach this cycle. Fanbase frenzy & recruiting ripple Howard’s 29-second clip generated more than 4 million views and became fodder for rival fan bases eager to needle Texas. Several high-profile recruits reportedly texted Longhorn assistants asking for clarity, underscoring how quickly social chatter can complicate December’s delicate recruiting window. Why Howard’s words carry weight As a Michigan legend and long-time ESPN personality, Howard commands a massive Saturday audience. His remarks—even when off-hand—often migrate from television to social media algorithms, magnifying their reach. Brands recognize this influence, which is why Howard’s hot-take videos routinely outperform network clips in engagement metrics. Context: Texas trending up Sarkisian just delivered Texas’ first back-to-back 10-win regular seasons since 2009. Quarterback Quinn Ewers announced he will return for 2026, and the Longhorns currently own a top-five recruiting class. Any perception of instability, therefore, threatens a momentum Texas boosters believe is inching the program back to national-title contention. What’s next for Desmond Howard ESPN has not commented, but industry insiders expect GameDay producers to lean into the storyline when the crew sets up for bowl season. Howard, never shy about walking back bold calls, could address the dust-up live—an on-air apology would mirror similar moments when panelists Kirk Herbstreit and Pat McAfee clarified misfires earlier this fall. Bottom line Howard’s off-the-cuff prediction met an emphatic reality check, yet the episode underscores how a single social-media moment can command headlines, tweak recruiting dynamics and send an entire fan base into DEFCON 1. For Texas, the message is clear: the only move Sarkisian plans this winter is from the practice field to a marquee bowl game. For Desmond Howard, the takeaway is equally stark: even a Heisman pose can’t deflect the blowback when the trash-talk leaves the curb and lands in Austin’s backyard.