Alabama Football: An earned thank you to Steve Sarkisian from Tide fans
By Ronald Evans
Alabama Football: Steve Sarkisian to leave for the Longhorns calls for a shoutout of appreciation from Crimson Tide fans.
Alabama football is losing Steve Sarkisian. Crimson Tide fans cannot help being disappointed. It is unrealistic to think he would turn down every opportunity, as he did the Auburn job. Texas, by almost all measures, fits into the category of ‘too good to pass up.’
Disappointment from Crimson Tide fans is mixed with respect for what Sark has done in Tuscaloosa. He deserves the opportunity to be a head coach again and to get it right this time. Not every Longhorn will agree but Texas made a good choice.
Alabama football insiders are saying the conversations between Sark and those in Austin have gone on for weeks. It now appears Texas delayed the Tom Herman firing, hoping to not sabotage its 2021 Signing Class. Now the move has been announced by Texas.
https://twitter.com/TexasFootball/status/1345484373185888256
Many Alabama football fans have a low opinion of Big 12 defenses. We can see Sark, once he fills roster holes, feasting on Big 12 defenses. He will also leave Tuscaloosa as a better coach than when he arrived. That happens frequently in Tuscaloosa. Nick Saban is the reason why.
Steve Sarkisian will remain with the Crimson Tide through the National Championship game. There is no risk, his attention will waver as did Lane Kiffin’s a few years ago. Alabama football offensive players have great respect for Sarkisian. Sark has earned that respect. He will not let them down.
What’s next for the Crimson Tide after Sark exits on Jan. 12? Nick Saban will not have to be in a hurry. The 2021 recruiting class will be little affected. The Crimson Tide has few open slots and Sarkisian is not the lead recruiter for any of the Tide’s top prospects.
Alabama football fans are throwing around many names as Sarkisian’s replacement. Some are good; a few are not. Nick Saban will make a sound decision. Nick will choose another sharp offensive mind. He will also make sure his next OC has no plans to re-invent the Alabama football offense. The system designed by Sarkisian and tailored to Saban’s philosophy will not be discarded. The next hire might be a ‘young-gun’ from the NFL or a lesser-known coach with no Power Five experience. Saban has had plenty of time to build his list of replacement prospects.
Some Alabama football fans had hoped Sarkisian could be kept by offering him a ‘Head Coach in Waiting’ tag. While Sarkisian might well be an excellent successor to Nick Saban, the timing is not right. Nick is not going away anytime soon.
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On behalf of Alabama Crimson Tide fans – Thank you, Steve Sarkisian! You will be missed and we wish you nothing but the best.