Steve Sarkisian is the hottest commodity in college football.
In his second year as offensive coordinator, the University of Alabama has arguably the most explosive and balanced group in the nation this season. He coached the unit to 49.7 points and 543.9 yards per game, both statistics are among the top of Division I in the NCAA. Sarkisian pushed this group to scoring at least 40 points in 10 straight games, including 60-point finishes versus Ole Miss (63) and Kentucky (63) in an undefeated campaign as of now. Since he became the offensive play caller in 2019, Sarkisian has had an FBS-leading six different players to catch a touchdown pass of 75 yards or more for the Crimson Tide.
RELATED: Alabama leads nation with eight players named to AP All-America teams
He has produced a 3,000-yard quarterback (Mac Jones), a 1,000-yard running back (Najee Harris) and a 1,000-yard wide receiver (DeVonta Smith) at Alabama for the first time since 2015. The trio of Jones, Harris and Smith all finished in the top-five for Heisman Trophy finalists, while Jones and Smith are among the top-four in college football battling for the honor.
According to the Frank and Barbara Broyles Foundation, Sarkisian was awarded the Broyles Award.
The honor is presented to the top assistant coach in the sport and Sarkisian has been remarkable.
In acting as head coach for the Iron Bowl, Sarkisian coached the Tide to 42 points in a 42-13 win over Auburn.
On Monday, Nick Saban referred to his coordinator as being a ‘great quarterback coach’ and someone that the players have a lot of confidence in, especially when it comes to having everyone prepared. Per Saban, Sarkisian is as talented as anyone he has had with him for the Tide. The 46-year-old is the third Saban assistant to win the Broyles Award, joining Kirby Smart (2009) and Michael Locksley (2018). Both went on to be head coaches; however, Sarkisian is looking to remain at Alabama for a little while longer.
He will guide this offense against Notre Dame on Friday in the Rose Bowl.
*Get the BEST Alabama football insider information, message board access, and recruiting coverage today! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our subscriber only content!*
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
