By: Pernell Beals
Back in January, a week before the College Football National Championship game, former offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin and Alabama parted ways. Now Kiffin’s replacement, Steve Sarkisian, has packed his bags as well. Sarkisian is headed to Atlanta to take over as the new offensive coordinator job for the Super Bowl runner-up, Atlanta Falcons.
With Sarkisian headed to the Falcons and Lane Kiffin the new head coach for Florida Atlantic University, the big question is, what are Nick Saban and Alabama going to do now?
Only a month into his new role as offensive coordinator for one of college football’s hottest dynasties, Sarkisian might be new to the NFL, but he’s not new high expectations.
Atlanta’s new OC has experience as both offensive coordinator and head coach for the USC Trojans and he also had a short stint with the Washington Huskies from 2009-2013 as the head coach.
We know Alabama’s head coach, Nick Saban, was not expecting to be looking for another offensive coordinator so soon, but when life gives you lemons, it’s best to make lemonade. Plus what better time than now to pick up a replacement for the Atlanta bound Sarkisian? Although there might not be too many choices that come to mind, Saban has an amazing eye for talent and whomever he chooses mostly certainly be up for the task.
With spring ball right around the corner it’s going to be very interesting to see which direction Alabama chooses. Some top candidates who might be vying for the position could very well be former Oregon head coaches Chip Kelly, former 49ers and Mark Helfrich.
(Head photograph credit goes to Albany Herald)