He will have some nerves, but this is a big opportunity for Steve Sarkisian.
Nick Saban has appointed the Alabama offensive coordinator with the responsibility of coaching this year’s Iron Bowl, as he suffered very mild symptoms for Coronavirus. It will be the first time in 14 seasons that Saban will not be on the sideline with his players; however, he has groomed Sarkisian for the moment. He has been working with everyone throughout practice and after having seven years of head coaching experience, the California native gets a chance to show he can still run a team.
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Auburn will present some challenges, but the student-athletes for the Crimson Tide have rallied around Sarkisian.
He was ready to coach in Saban’s absence versus Georgia, nevertheless, the first COVID-19 scare was a false positive and Saban made it to the game against the Bulldogs. Sarkisian will continue to operate the offense, but his interactions with Pete Golding on defense should be interesting. He does not have to be Saban, yet he does need to have the team in the right situations. During the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game (2016 season), Sarkisian was forced into action at offensive coordinator. This time around, he is more prepared to handle the job of orchestrating a full game plan.
Sarkisian would go on the short list of “coaches in waiting” to take over the program upon Saban’s retirement, if he is able to pull out a victory over Auburn. The Tigers enter the 85th Iron Bowl with a lot of confidence, but Alabama believes in Sarkisian.
On Wednesday, yours truly of Touchdown Alabama Magazine discussed the offensive player caller via In My Own Words.
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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.
