Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian headed to NFL

It’s not official yet, but Schefter tends to get it right.

Sarkisian was promoted to the job full-time one week before the title game – which Alabama lost 35-31 to Clemson – after Kiffin and Alabama officially parted ways prematurely.

Sarkisian spent seven seasons as an assistant at USC under Pete Carroll, for whom Quinn worked with the Seahawks. Sarkisian has also been head coach at Washington University. We haven’t discussed Sarkisian in a successful light since his 9-4 season with USC in 2014. The Falcons’ questionable defense played just about the best game anybody had played against the Patriots. How does Sarkisian fare in the National Football League ranks with sustained success at only one collegiate program?

Now, less than two months later, Alabama is again in need of a new offensive coordinator.

It’s an enviable role in Atlanta, though, where the offense will bring back Ryan, star wideout Julio Jones and versatile running back Devonta Freeman, among others. It’s a surprising addition, but one that I hope will pay off for the Falcons. One of my stops was Alabama.

“I knew how good Kyle is”, Quinn said. Another perspective, however, points to doing something you love as a valuable asset in beating what Sarkisian himself has labeled a disability in court when he filed a lawsuit against USC for discrimination.

Sarkisian accepted the Atlanta Falcons’ offensive coordinator position Tuesday.

Nearly all of Sarkisian’s background is as a college coach, most recently as Nick Saban’s play-caller for the national championship loss to Clemson when Lane Kiffin was told to go ahead and be on his way to Florida Atlantic.