Alabama Football: Sarkisian return step in right direction for Nick Saban

Former analyst and offensive coordinator, Steve Sarkisian, returns to Alabama football after a two-year stop in NFL. Head coach Nick Saban attempts return to pro-style offense.

Another eventful Alabama football offseason is upon us. First, Thursday gave us the departures of offensive line coach Brent Key to Georgia Tech, and wide receivers coach Josh Gattis left for Michigan.

Next, expected offensive coordinator Dan Enos departed Tuscaloosa for swanky Coral Gables and the University of Miami. Saban resorted to his humongous Rolodex for Plan B.

Once this tweet from Dianna Rusinni posted, Alabama football fans were not ecstatic about Saban’s choice.

Why are Alabama fans so upset?

Are they holding on to the one game sample against Clemson in the College Football Playoff Championship? Step back, consider everything that occurred before the game. Saban and Kiffin mutually agreed to part ways after Alabama’s semifinal win over Washington, allowing Kiffin to focus on his gig at Florida Atlantic University.

On January 2, 2017, Sark is named OC with seven days to prepare for Clemson. Literally, he went from analyst to offensive coordinator in a week to get ready for the biggest game of the year.

In the first half, the Sark led offense led 14-7 going into halftime. Leaning on stud Bo Scarbrough, the Crimson Tide seemed destined to win. Scarbrough suffers a broken right fibula in the second half, leaving the game in the hands of a true freshman, SEC Offensive Player of the Year, Jalen Hurts. Star tight end O.J. Howard and Jalen made fantastic plays down the stretch to keep Alabama in the game.

Unfortunately, the loss occurred because of one glaring and damning stat (2/15 on third down). The offense’s inability to make first downs, particularly in the second half, kept the defense on the field for 99 plays.

Oft-maligned Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator

Bashing Sark for his first season as Falcons offensive coordinator came easy. Fresh off a season where Atlanta had a record-setting offense and went to the Super Bowl, Sarkisian struggled. The Falcons finished eighth in total offense (364 yards per game). Converting only 49.18 percent of their red zone opportunities and finishing twenty-third in the NFL, Sarkisian quickly became the fans’ whipping boy. Scoring dropped from 33 points to 22.1.

The glaring stat was Julio Jones’ inability to score (3 TDs) and production dropoff (100 yards a game to 90) from the previous year. All the blame cannot fall squarely on Sark’s shoulders. He cannot help it if a running back can’t make a defender miss, linemen can’t block or get a push on the line, or the receivers dropping balls.

In his second season, the Falcons offense drastically improved. Ranked sixth in total offense (389.1 yards per game), tenth in scoring (25.9), fifth in yards per play (6.2 yards per play) and fourth in third-down conversions (46 percent), Sark’s second season shows his ability to make adjustments. Additionally, the Falcons converted 64 percent of their red zone opportunities.

Jones led the NFL in receiving yards (1,677 yards). Matt Ryan threw for 4,924 yards, 35 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Former Alabama receiver, Calvin Ridley (821 yards, 10 TDs) developed as a complementary threat alongside Julio. Two-time Pro Bowl running back Devonta Freeman’s injury maimed the Falcon’s running game, which finished last with 79 yards per game. Failed lofty expectations (7-9 season) led to head coach Dan Quinn dismissing Sarkisian and defensive coordinator Marquand Manuel.

Never question Saban

Stiffed by Sark after championship loss, Saban lured tight ends coach Brian Daboll from the Patriots. Daboll, a Bill Belichick disciple, came to Tuscaloosa under little fanfare and fared admirably.  Next, Michael Locksley followed Daboll and locked up the Frank Broyles Award for the nation’s best assistant coach.

Failure to make adjustments and questionable play calling doomed the Crimson Tide. Shutout in the second half of the title game; changes needed to happen on the offensive side of the ball. The former Washington and USC head coach brings a pro-style attack approach back to Tuscaloosa.

When Sark called plays for Alabama football, he brought even distribution (32 passes, 34 rushes). With Heisman runner-up Tua Tagovailoa and star playmakers returning on offense, the former Falcons coordinator will make minute adjustments to keep the Tide offense rolling. Keep in mind; he turned Washington QB Jake Locker into an NFL first rounder. Tua was silently committed to play for Sark at USC until he was fired in October 2015.

Rumors that Saban is a complicated man to work for makes sense. Just like his mentor, Bill Belichick, he demands and expects perfection. Saban holds every coach accountable.

For Sarkisian to return to the Alabama Crimson Tide speaks volumes about the benefit of coaching for Saban. The coach had an offer for the same position with the Arizona Cardinals. Instead, he chose Alabama.

The fear of coaches bolting for the next best job appears to be wearing on the 67-year-old head coach. Remember, he entered the season with two new coordinators and six new position coaches.

Expect him to dig in and ride with coaches that understand the never-ending grind, are great technicians at their craft and excellent recruiters. Sarkisian is a step in the right direction to achieving this goal.

Alabama football is still searching for an offensive line, wide receivers and quarterback coach. Stay tuned to Bama Hammer for the latest coaching news.