Steve Sarkisian is winning the hearts of everyone over.
After landing in Tampa, Fla., on Friday, Alabama’s latest offensive coordinator spoke with the media on Saturday for the first time since arriving at Tuscaloosa (Ala.) in September of 2016.
He opened his presser giving thanks to head coach Nick Saban and the players for bringing him in; however, it did not take long for him to state the team’s mentality going into Monday night.
“The players have been really locked in and focused,” Sarkisian said. “They’ve worked hard to get to this point and this week has been no different.”
While the players love his energy, enthusiasm and attention to details, Sarkisian anticipates getting sophomore wide receiver Calvin Ridley involved early against Clemson. Despite turning in a 1,000-yard season (1,045) in 2015, the Florida native has been a non-factor in the last two games.
“My job is to get our playmakers the ball,” Sarkisian said.
“We have a lot of them on offense, and Clemson is going to push us in a direction of who is going to get the ball either in the run or pass game. I would be remissed to not get Calvin Ridley the ball. He’s a heck of a talent.”
A raucous atmosphere at Raymond James Stadium and a hungry Tigers’ defense brings in Sarkisian’s primary challenge: making sure freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts is confident on the field.
His experience as a quarterbacks coach came from working with pocket passers, but his time spent with Jake Locker at the University of Washington (2009-13) has prepared him for what he can do with Hurts.
“They (Washington) were a spread team when I got there, so I had to mold my offense to fit their style,” Sarkisian said. “This isn’t too foreign to me. I’ve been down this road and it’s a natural fit.”
Though Saban is widely regarded as the best college football coach of this era, Sarkisian said working with him is no different than the others he has served under.
“Good coaches have beliefs and what they think is important for the success of the team,” he said.
“Coach Saban has a belief and a structure in place. He’s gets the people in his system to buy into what those beliefs are and motivates them toward those beliefs. After that it’s about execution, but more than anything it’s his consistency. He is consistent in what we does.”
Saban, Sarkisian and the Tide will have one final practice on Sunday, before trying to defend its national championship in Monday’s College Football Playoff national title fight against Clemson.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
