CLEVELAND, Ohio — Texas coach Steve Sarkisian firmly dismissed rumors about his departure from the Longhorns program Wednesday, declaring the speculation “absolutely false and untrue.”

The fifth-year coach said he felt compelled to address the rumors publicly because of their significance to the team and university, despite his usual practice of avoiding such commentary.

“I am not going anywhere,” Sarkisian said. “I’ve had no discussions, not with my agent, not with the university, not with any other school, not with any NFL team, about ever going anywhere else. I came here to win championships.”

The latest wave of speculation emerged Monday when ESPN analyst Desmond Howard posted a video on social media suggesting a “mutual parting of ways” could occur at season’s end. Athletic Direct

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