Steve Sarkisian replaces Lane Kiffin as offensive coordinator at Alabama

Yet again taking Kiffin’s job

Alabama named Steve Sarkisian, infamously fired as USC’s head football coach in 2015, as the official offensive coordinator replacement for Lane Kiffin, who was also fired as USC’s head football coach in 2013. Monday’s announcement comes just a week before the College Football Playoff National Championship. Kiffin, a former USC offensive coordinator from 2005 to 2006, is preparing to coach at Florida Atlantic University.

Steve Sarkisian is no longer fighting on

Saban has no doubt that Sarkisian will be able to fill Kiffin’s shoes at Alabama.

“He knows the offense. He knows the players,” Saban said of Sarkisian at a press conference on Thursday. “He’s worked on the game plans every week and knows the system inside and out and knows the terminology.”

Sarkisian was hired as an analyst after Alabama’s 52-6 rout of the Trojans, which, according to the Bleacher Report had a starting salary of 35,000. Now Sarkisian steps onto the center stage Monday, as he coaches the Alabama offense as they play Clemson.

So far players have seen a smooth transition. Some have even said that Sarkisian runs a better practice than Kiffin did.

As reported by Alabama.com, receiver Calvin Ridley said “He coaches us real good. Can’t wait to go on the field Monday and see what we’ll do.” Sarkisian is an active participant in the two practices he has run so far — video surfaced of him blitzing a quarterback.

Sarkisian has found success at all of the teams he has coached. He has found excellent recruits in the past as evidenced by USC’s Rose Bowl victory — he recruited most of those players, including Sam Darnold. His only difficulty was with alcohol at USC, which he was fired for in October. Everyone around him, including Sarkisian himself, believes he is better than ever.

Sarkisian’s fate will be defined by the outcome of the Alabama Clemson national championship game on Monday, Jan. 9.

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