After his first crack at play calling under Nick Saban did not go as he planned, the University of Alabama has decided to return Steve Sarkisian as offensive coordinator.
Sources confirmed the news with Touchdown Alabama Magazine, as Saban could not locate another name to command that side of the ball. Upon leaving the Crimson Tide after the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship versus Clemson, the 44-year-old landing a coaching role with the Atlanta Falcons.
ESPN made the initial report on last week, but there was still the idea of Sark being a quarterbacks’ coach.
As play caller, Sarkisian improved the Falcons during his second year in 2018 as it was sixth in the National Football League in total offense.
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He has had some issues in his past; however, the quarterback position is one that Sark truly specializes in molding. While he jumped from quarterbacks’ coach to head coach in his collegiate career, Sarkisian mentored eight 3,000-yard passing seasons – including two from Matt Leinart (2003, 2005) and Cody Kessler (2014-15) of the USC Trojans.
With Chip Long choosing to remain at Notre Dame and no one else accepting the call, the California native has a chance to re-establish his career as one of the best in college football. No official word has come from Saban or the athletic department at Alabama, but all signs point to Sark running the Tide’s offense next fall.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
