Alabama Athletics
Report: Steve Sarkisian Not Expected to Leave Alabama for Colorado Coaching Vacancy
University of Alabama football fans can rest easy.
Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian is expected to stay at Alabama and not take the Colorado head coaching job according to a report from ESPN's Chris Low.
Low also reports that Sarkisian is expected to receive a pay increase as well. The raise will make him one of the highest-paid assistants in the nation.
Sarkisian was in Boulder on Wednesday interviewing for the job, but has removed his name from consideration. Earlier this offseason, he was considered for the Mississippi State job before it was filled by Mike Leach.
This offseason will mark the first time since 2015 that Nick Saban will not have to replace his offensive play-caller. Saban hired Brian Daboll in 2017, Mike Locksley in 2018, and Sarkisian in 2019.
Under Sarkisian, the Crimson Tide offense ranked second nationally in points per game at 47.2 and third in passing offense at 342.2 yards a game. The team finished sixth in total offense with 510.8 yards. In 2020, the Crimson Tide will return seven of 11 starters.
Sarkisian's coaching experience includes a two-year stint with the Atlanta Falcons in 2017-2018, coordinating the offense. He was the head coach at USC for 18 games in 2014-2015, leading the Trojans to a 12-6 record before taking a leave of absence. Before his time in Los Angeles, he was the coach of the Washington Huskies for five seasons, guiding that program to a 34-29 record.
He would then join Saban's staff as an offensive analyst and offensive coordinator for the Crimson Tide in the 2017 National Championship game against Clemson before leaving for the job with the Falcons.
