Alabama didn’t have to look far to find its replacement for Lane Kiffin.
The Crimson Tide announced Friday that Steve Sarkisian, who has served as an offensive analyst for the program this season, has been named its new offensive coordinator. Sarkisian will replace Kiffin, who was hired as head coach at Florida Atlantic, at the conclusion of Alabama’s season.
“We are pleased to be able to hire an offensive coordinator with the pedigree and experience of Steve Sarkisian,” head coach Nick Saban said. “He has a tremendous offensive mind and is someone we believe will do a great job of teaching and developing our football team on the offensive side of the ball. He has been a great asset to our coaching staff this season and brings a great deal of energy and enthusiasm to his job. Steve will be a phenomenal addition to our coaching staff and someone who can seamlessly transition into the job with a full understanding of how our organization works.”
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Much like Kiffin did when he was fired by USC, Sarkisian, the former head coach at Washington and USC, joined Alabama’s staff in September. He was fired as USC’s head coach in October 2015 because of reported issues with alcohol. In 18 games as USC’s head coach in 2014 and 2015, Sarkisian had a 12-6 record.
Before becoming the head coach at USC, Sarkisian spent five seasons as the head coach at Washington and had a 34-29 overall record from 2009-2013.
“I am humbled and honored to have the opportunity to join Coach Saban’s staff, and I can’t thank The University of Alabama enough,” Sarkisian said. “I have always admired the Alabama program from afar and getting to be part of this football team these past few months has only reinforced my belief that this is the best college football organization in the country.
“There are many outstanding coaches and athletes at The University of Alabama, and I am extremely excited to start working with them in my new role. This is a very special place to have the opportunity to coach when you consider the program’s rich tradition and the unrivaled passion of the fan base.”
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Before he became a head coach, Sarkisian served as an offensive assistant at USC from 2001-2003 and 2005-2008, first as a quarterbacks coach and then as offensive coordinator. He also spent a year with the Oakland Raiders.
Kiffin will stay on with Alabama through the College Football Playoff. Alabama, 13-0, is the top seed in the CFP and will take on No. 4 Washington (12-1) in the Peach Bowl in Atlanta on Dec. 31.
For more Alabama news, visit TideSports.com.
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