All eyes were glued to CBS over the weekend, as Steve Sarkisian did something remarkable.
He acted in place of Nick Saban, who suffered mild Coronavirus symptoms, in the Iron Bowl and coached Alabama to a 42-13 victory over Auburn at Bryant-Denny Stadium. People were nervous about how the offensive coordinator would perform, but he erased all fears with how he controlled the game. The college football world witnessed Sarkisian as someone who can still lead a group of players and assistant coaches.
Although he received a three-year extension worth $7.5 million on Aug. 5., Crimson Tide fans must also realize that a host of different programs are going to come at the 46-year-old with more enticing offers very soon.
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Should we start numbering the days Sarkisian has left as a play caller at Alabama?
This is a thought to consider.
Recently, Saban has had a few marquee names to come through his coaching rehab.
Lane Kiffin, to this point, is the biggest success story. After the issues he had at both Tennessee and USC Trojans, no school wanted anything to do with him. Coach Saban brought him to the Tide in 2014, and many fans were against the hire.
Oct 15, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban talks with offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin along the sidelines during the second quarter at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
In trusting Saban, national and local media grew to love the move. Kiffin changed Alabama from a prostyle attack to a run-pass-option (RPO) scheme with spread tendencies. The transition led to three Southeastern Conference titles, a College Football Playoff National Championship, a Heisman Trophy winner (Derrick Henry), a Biletnikoff Award winner (Amari Cooper), two 3,000-yard passers at quarterback (Blake Sims, Jacob Coker) and the SEC’s Offensive Player of the Year (Jalen Hurts) in 2016.
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Sadly, other offers came calling for Kiffin.
He took the job at Florida Atlantic in 2017 and three years later, he is back in the SEC at Ole Miss as its head coach. Michael Locksley would then come to Alabama as an offensive analyst in 2016, after four seasons at Maryland. He got promoted to Co-OC/wide receivers’ coach in 2017, producing success with Calvin Ridley, Robert Foster, Cam Sims, Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III and DeVonta Smith. Locksley helped the Tide capture a CFP national title that year.
Alabama offensive coordinator, Michael Locksley on the sideline prior to 2018 CFP National Championship Game versus Georgia/ Photo comes via Matthew Emmons – USA TODAY Sports
In 2018, he was promoted to offensive coordinator and the Tide’s production exploded.
He coached Tua Tagovailoa to a 3,000-yard passing season and mentored him to set single-season school records for passing yards (3,966), touchdown passes (43) and total scores (48).
Within his offense, Locksley had seven players to catch at least 20 passes — including Jerry Jeudy, who led the team with 68 receptions. Jeudy totaled 1,315 yards receiving with 14 scores and was awarded the Fred Biletnikoff Award.
Coach Locksley even got Jaylen Waddle to pop as a true freshman in the SEC, as the native Texan recorded 848 receiving yards with seven touchdowns. Waddle ended up being the recipient of SEC Freshman of the Year.
Much like Kiffin, other suitors came calling for Locksley. He accepted a head coaching job at Maryland on Dec. 4, 2018.
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The same story can be said about Dan Enos and Mel Tucker, though Tucker was brought in on defense.
Nov 28, 2020; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, acting as head coach during head coach Nick Saban’s COVID-19 quarantine, takes the field with the team for warmups at Bryant-Denny Stadium for the Iron Bowl against Auburn. Mandatory Credit: Mickey Welsh/The Montgomery Advertiser via USA TODAY Sports
In reflecting back to Sarkisian, he has taken Alabama to another level. Offensively, the Tide ranks No. 3 in the nation for scoring (48.5 ppg) and sixth for total offense (535.6 ypg). It stands at Nos. 1 and 2 respectively in the SEC for both categories.
Sarkisian has the group totaling at least 40 points in seven straight games.
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Alabama’s efficiency in the red zone (90.5%, 38-of-42) and on third down (58.6%, 51-of-87) has been strong.
He has Mac Jones in line to possibly win the Heisman Trophy, especially with the quarterback ranking in the top-five nationally for completion percentage (76.2, No. 2), touchdown passes (23, tied for fourth), passer rating (208, No. 2) and total quarterback rating (95.5, No. 1). Jones is sixth in the nation for passing yards (2,728) and has five 300-yard passing games this season.
Najee Harris, a senior at running back, leads college football with 17 rushing scores.
DeVonta Smith, a senior at wide receiver, is the fourth player in Alabama history — joining Jerry Jeudy, Amari Cooper and D.J. Hall — to have multiple 1,000-yard seasons. He is third in the nation for yards (1,074) and catches (72), while carrying an NCAA-best 12 touchdowns. Under the guidance of Sarkisian, Smith chimes in with five 100-yard outings through eight games.
This offensive attack has been special with Sarkisian running it and Tide fans know it.
Other schools will be looking for a coach like him to elevate their program.
Many look at Sarkisian as the potential “coach in waiting” to take over Alabama when Saban retires. He has done enough to be a great candidate, but will the Tide be able to hold on to him? Sarkisian has been great for the program in the last two years.
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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.
