Breaking: Kyle Flood of the Texas Longhorns Turns Down the Georgia Bulldogs’ Incredibly High $3 Million Offer to

In a stunning development that underscores both the shifting dynamics of college football and the increasingly high-stakes world of assistant coaching, Texas Longhorns offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Kyle Flood has reportedly turned down an unprecedented $3 million per year offer from the Georgia Bulldogs. The offer would have made Flood the highest-paid assistant coach in college football history. Instead, he chose to remain in Austin, continuing his work with the Longhorns and head coach Steve Sarkisian as the program prepares for its entry into the SEC.

The move sent shockwaves across the college football landscape. Not only did it reveal Georgia’s aggressive attempt to revamp its offensive staff following a series of underwhelming performances, but it also spoke volumes about the level of loyalty and commitment Flood has to the Texas program. In an era where massive contracts and rapid job changes have become the norm, Flood’s decision to stay put is both rare and revealing.

Sources close to the situation said Georgia approached Flood earlier this summer, targeting him as their top choice to overhaul a struggling offensive front. The Bulldogs, though dominant in recent years and winners of back-to-back national championships in 2021 and 2022, saw a dip in their offensive line performance last season. Head coach Kirby Smart, never one to accept complacency, sought to bring in a proven technician and culture-setter—two qualities Flood embodies.

Georgia’s offer wasn’t just substantial—it was historic. Three years, $9 million total, with performance bonuses and full creative control over offensive line recruiting and development. It was a package previously unheard of for an assistant coach, let alone a non-play-calling offensive line coach. But as aggressive as the Bulldogs were, it wasn’t enough to pry Flood from the foundation he’s built at Texas.

What makes Flood’s decision even more remarkable is the current coaching climate. Assistant coaches at top-tier programs often use interest from other schools as leverage for raises, career advancement, or future head coaching considerations. Rarely does a coach get offered the kind of financial windfall Georgia put on the table—and walk away from it. But that’s exactly what Flood did.

To understand why, one has to look at his trajectory and what Texas has become under Steve Sarkisian. Flood joined Sarkisian’s staff in January 2021, shortly after serving in the same role at Alabama during their national championship run. From the beginning, Flood was seen not just as an elite coach but as a program-builder—a disciplined, detail-oriented leader whose impact extended beyond the X’s and O’s.

At Texas, Flood has been instrumental in reshaping the offensive line room. When he arrived, the Longhorns were struggling up front, both in recruiting and in performance. Within two years, Flood had orchestrated a complete turnaround. Texas landed the top offensive line class in the nation in 2022, including five-star talents and blue-chip prospects that had long eluded the program. By 2024, the Longhorns were consistently winning battles in the trenches—an element that had been missing in the post-Mack Brown era.

More importantly, Flood has forged a tight relationship with his players and staff. By all accounts, his coaching style is tough but respected. He demands discipline, accountability, and physical dominance—standards that have helped elevate the entire offensive unit. Quarterbacks have had more time to throw. Running backs have seen clearer lanes. And the offense has flourished as a result, with Flood’s linemen at the heart of that success.

But it’s not just on-field performance that makes Flood so valuable to Texas. His recruiting acumen is second to none. He’s known as one of the best evaluators of offensive line talent in the country, identifying prospects early and building deep relationships with players and their families. That reputation has made him a cornerstone of the Texas recruiting operation—a role that, according to those close to the program, Flood is deeply committed to.

One source familiar with the Georgia talks said Flood was “flattered” by the offer but never seriously considered leaving Texas. “Kyle is all-in on what they’re building in Austin,” the source said. “He feels a sense of responsibility—not just to the players he’s recruited but to the vision that he and Sark have created. He didn’t want to abandon that, no matter the money.”

Indeed, the bond between Flood and Sarkisian is one of the most underrated dynamics in college football. The two worked together at Alabama and have a clear mutual respect. Sarkisian trusts Flood not only to lead the offensive line but to serve as a sounding board for offensive strategy and team culture. Their alignment has been key to Texas’s rise back to national relevance.

When asked about Flood’s decision at Big 12 Media Days, Sarkisian didn’t mince words. “Kyle is the best in the country at what he does,” he said. “We’re lucky to have him, and it doesn’t surprise me at all that he turned down another opportunity to stay here. He believes in our mission, and we believe in him.”

Texas fans would agree. On social media, news of Flood’s decision was met with relief, praise, and celebration. “Best OL coach in the country. Loyalty matters,” one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “You can’t buy culture,” said another. “Texas is building something real.”

Still, the magnitude of Georgia’s offer can’t be ignored. While $3 million may not seem like much in a world where head coaches command $10 million annually, it’s a seismic shift in the market for assistants. The previous high-water mark was set by Clemson’s Brent Venables before he took the Oklahoma head job, followed by Alabama’s offers to coordinators in recent years. But none matched what Georgia reportedly put on the table for Flood.

So why such a bold move? According to insiders, Smart was desperate to fix what he saw as the team’s Achilles’ heel. Georgia’s defense has remained elite, but offensive inconsistency—particularly in high-stakes matchups—has raised concerns. Bringing in a coach like Flood, with championship pedigree and SEC experience, would have been a game-changer.

Yet for all the external pressures and the allure of a record-setting payday, Flood chose continuity. He chose loyalty. He chose Texas.

The timing is also significant. With the Longhorns entering the SEC this season, Flood’s presence on staff brings familiarity with the landscape they’re about to face. He knows the stadiums, the coaching styles, and the brutality of conference play. His experience at Alabama gives him unique insight into what Texas will need to survive and thrive in the most competitive league in college football.

There’s also the matter of legacy. Flood has never hidden his desire to make a long-term impact. After a rocky head coaching stint at Rutgers—where off-field issues and NCAA violations overshadowed his on-field efforts—Flood has rebuilt his reputation. Many see him as a potential head coach again one day, but he’s in no rush. Those who know him say he’s focused on mastering his craft, building a dominant line year after year, and letting the results speak for themselves.

In the meantime, Texas continues to reap the benefits. Flood’s 2025 recruiting class is shaping up to be another powerhouse group, with multiple Top 100 linemen either committed or trending toward the Longhorns. His current unit is one of the most experienced in the country, anchored by future NFL talent and molded by Flood’s trademark physicality.

As for Georgia, they’ll regroup. They’re too talented and too well-run to be derailed by one coaching rejection. But the message is clear: the gap between Texas and the SEC elite is closing. And Kyle Flood is a big reason why.

It’s easy to get lost in the headlines—the money, the offers, the drama—but at its core, this story is about conviction. In a sport increasingly driven by dollars and deals, Kyle Flood just reminded everyone what matters most. Belief in a mission. Trust in a team. And the willingness to say no to the easy choice in favor of the right one.