The Alabama Crimson Tide has a lot to be thankful for and a lot of people to thank. here are five people in the program that deserve our …
In such an odd time that’s thrown everyone for a loop, this time of the year is supposed to allow for reflection, appreciation and thankfulness. Whether it’s in the home, at work or within your respective college football fandoms, there’s plenty to be thankful for.
As the Crimson Tide prepares for the 2020 Iron Bowl vs. Auburn, let’s look back on some of the pieces within this team and program that make it special to so many people.
Being the only undefeated team in the SEC in an unprecedented season is a feat worth celebrating alone. So, as we all gather with loved ones or celebrate in our own way, on this Thanksgiving, let’s not forget to show some appreciation to those that make Saturday’s as a Crimson Tide fan that much sweeter.
From all of us a Roll Tide Wire, happy Thanksgiving!
Alabama offensive coordinator will be the head coach for the Crimson Tide this Saturday for the 2020 Iron Bowl, after Nick Saban tested p…
The Crimson Tide will be without Nick Saban on the sidelines this Saturday as No. 2 Alabama faces off against No. 22 Auburn in the 2020 Iron Bowl.
The in-state rivalry is always an interesting game where, regardless of their respective records, both programs give it their all. However, Alabama will be without all of their coaching staff, due to a positive test for head coach Nick Saban.
With Saban unable to coach, even from home, Offensive Coordinator Steve Sarkisian will be calling the shots.
There have been talks of Sarkisian potentially being Saban’s replaement one day when the college football coaching legend inevitably retires. Could this be his audition?
Twitter reacts to Sarkisian being the head coach for the 2020 Iron Bowl:
Saban: "Sark will oversee things in the building in my absence."
Before we all panic keep in mind that Sark was a head coach at a major program so he can coach he knows how to prep for a game so our eyes should be on Coach getting better not worrying about Saturday more than likely we got this
When the South Carolina Gamecocks parted ways with head coach Will Muschamp earlier this week, Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian
When the South Carolina Gamecocks parted ways with head coach Will Muschamp earlier this week, Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian’s name surfaced as a potential replacement.
Sarkisian, 46, is in his second season with the Crimson Tide as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Sarkisian also spent the 2016 season with Alabama after being fired as head coach of USC.
However, ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit doesn’t necessarily see Sarkisian taking the South Carolina job if offered.
“Maybe he would. But I think he’s in a better spot right now, to wait and kind of see what else might come up down the road,” Herbstreit continued.
When South Carolina athletic director Ray Tanner spoke on Monday after Muschamp’s dismissal, he mentioned a coach with an offensive background would be the priority.
Ray Tanner on what he's looking for in a new coach, mentions offense first. "It's a time where everyone lights up the scoreboard. The 10-7 games are a distant memory."
Former Alabama quarterback Josh Palet discusses Crimson Tide football, who replaces Nick Saban.
No. 2 Alabama (4-0, 4-0 SEC) will play at Tennessee (2-2, 2-2 SEC) Saturday in Week 5 of a 10-game SEC-only schedule.
The Crimson Tide enter the contest following a 41-24 victory over Georgia.
Alabama’s Nick Saban is aiming for his seventh national championship as a head coach. He won one national championship at LSU (2003) and five with the Crimson Tide (2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017).
Josh Palet played quarterback for Saban at Alabama from 2015-16. Ahead of Saturday’s matchup, he joined the show “Tennessee Two-A-Days” to discuss his time with Saban, Steve Sarkisian and Jeremy Pruitt at Alabama.
Jan 1, 1993; New Orleans, LA, USA: FILE PHOTO; Alabama Crimson wide receiver David Palmer (2) carries the ball past teammate Dabo Swinney (88) against the Miami Hurricanes during the 1993 Sugar Bowl at the Superdome. Alabama defeated Miami 34-13 to win the national championship. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports
A topic of discussion this week has been Saban’s replacement as head coach when he decides to retire.
Former Alabama wide receiver (1990-92) and assistant (1993-2000) Dabo Swinney is ideally the Crimson Tide’s first call to replace Saban. He has won two national championships as Clemson’s head coach (2016, 2018) and could ultimately remain with the Tigers and the program that he has built.
Sarkisian, who currently serves as Alabama’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, was previously in the same position for the Crimson Tide. He was offensive coordinator for one game in 2016 after being an analyst that season.
Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian (left) and head coach Nick Saban react after a touchdown against the Clemson Tigers during the third quarter in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
After winning the SEC championship in 2016, and two days following defeating Washington in the College Football Playoff semifinal, Saban relieved Lane Kiffin of his offensive coordinator duties as he previously accepted the head coaching position at Florida Atlantic.
With one week to prepare for a national championship game against Clemson, Sarkisian was promoted to offensive coordinator for the title game. Alabama lost to Clemson, 35-31, in the contest.
“That was a crazy situation,” Palet said. “Everyone knows Lane Kiffin was hired at FAU, and we were still in the middle of our season. We had a coach here who is calling plays, but is recruiting for another school. We had Washington coming up, I thought he did a good job, but we only scored 24 points against a Pac-12 team that we put up 52 against USC earlier in the year.
“So our offense was disappointed that we did not put up more points. I think Saban said you go to FAU and do your recruitment process and we have Sarkisian right here, who is really similar to Lane Kiffin. They have almost the same exact play calls. I thought it was a good transition. I thought he did a fantastic job. It was not his fault that we lost to Clemson.”
Palet mentioned that Sarkisian fields “an extremely fun offense to watch” and one that “gives the ball to play-makers.”
“Sarkisian is very creative and a guy that you do not know what is coming next,” Palet said.
Oct 20, 2018; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Jeremy Pruitt and Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban greet each other after the game at Neyland Stadium. Alabama defeated the Vols 58-21. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Pruitt, now in his third season as Tennessee’s head coach, was Alabama’s defensive coordinator in 2016 when Palet was with the Crimson Tide.
“He is a great person,” Palet said of Pruitt. “A big reason Tennessee has so many great recruits is because he is such a good person. You can tell that when you talk to him. Jeremy Pruitt was so loved by everybody – the players loved him.
“Players (at Tennessee) are buying in because the coach is genuinely invested in you as a person. That is why Nick Saban is so successful because he actually cares about his players. Jeremy Pruitt is the same way – you just want to play harder. I think that is why Tennessee is going to be on the rise for awhile and they should keep Jeremy Pruitt as long as they can.”
The time will come soon enough for when Saban decides to retire from the sport he has been able to compete at a championship level annually since arriving at Alabama in 2007.
Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide’s Mario Cristobal against the Clemson Tigers in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Coaches that served as assistants for Saban will be at the forefront of replacing him if Swinney decides to remain at Clemson.
Sarkiaisn, Pruitt and Oregon head coach Mario Cristobal will be looked upon to fill Saban’s head coaching position. Cristobal served as Alabama’s assistant head coach, recruiting coordinator and oversaw the Crimson Tide’s offensive line from 2013-16 when Palet was in the program.
Palet views Sarkisian as the leading candidate ahead of Pruitt and Cristobal if Swinney elects to remain at Clemson.
“If Sarkisian is still the offensive coordinator, it has to be him if Dabo stays at Clemson,” Palet said of who is likely to replace Saban. “By then Sark will have built relationships through recruiting, coaching and winning at Alabama. I believe he is the obvious choice if he is still in the program.”
The entire show with Palet can be listened to here or below.
Tennessee will host Alabama Saturday in the Southeastern Conference’s Week 5 10-game schedule.
The matchup will feature Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian.
Sarkisian’s offense starts with physicality and toughness to make sure his offense has the ability to run the football. From there, it is the ability to have fun throwing the football.
He is accustomed to having a 1,000-yard running back in a season, proving his desire to run the football and to have play-action pass success complimenting his ground game. In Sarkisian’s play-action pass game, throwing lanes down field develop for explosive plays.
Sarkisian’s offense is detailed below.
Alabama quarterback Mac Jones (10) talks with offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian during the Southern Miss game at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday September 21, 2019. Mickey Welsh, Montgomery Advertiser via Imagn Content Services, LLC
RPOs and slants
A simple inside zone, man-scheme on the backside that can read the Z-wide receiver. If the strong safety plays down, then an out-pass can be thrown to the Z-receiver.
This can open up two-safety looks to be able to run the football.
Slants in Sarkisian’s offense are when a wide receiver builds off his fourth outside step and then breaks.
Wide receivers also have the ability to decide where to go based on their defender.
Slants within Sarkisian’s RPOs are opportunity throws, to allow for what is deemed as a free completion. Tight ends are also used to create matchups to throw to within RPOs. The quarterback reading the safety is key for which player will receive the ball.
Perimeter screens
Perimeter screens are highlighted in a quick game offense.
Perimeter screens can allow for big-play opportunities against man coverage. A wide receiver in motion is common and becomes an extra blocker with two wide receivers already on one side. The receiver that catches the screen then has two blockers 2-5 yards in front of him. This play also opens up for a one-on-one slant to the slot, or two slants against man coverage on the field side.
Slugo
Slugo is a slant and go. This is where the quarterback understands man and zone coverage principles and can take advantage of a screen versus zone, and slants against man coverage. Sarkisian can disguise this in empty sets and in 20-personnel.
Attacking tight box coverage
Sarkisian understands how to attack when linebackers play tight in the box to get their run fit.
When this happens, 3×1 hitches can occur along with shotgun play-action to the X-receiver in 10-personnel. If the quarterback cannot read the cornerback, then he will simply hand the ball off to the running back.
Within the red zone, it is common to see an inside fade route. Pro-style sets in 12-personnel are a staple while throwing a fade into the end zone against press coverage, maintaining pro-style principles to apply within Sarkisian’s offense.
Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian. Mickey Welsh, Montgomery Advertiser via Imagn Content Services, LLC
Alabama’s offensive coordinator Steve sarkisian will likely take over head coaching duties if Nick Saban is unable to coach this Saturday.
With Alabama head coach Nick Saban testing positive for COVID-19, questions loom over when he will be able to return to coaching the team in person, and when he’ll be back on the sidelines.
As reported by Cecil Hurt, Saban directed today’s practice from home, a pratice he will likely adopt over the next week or so until he can return from self-isolation.
In a statement disseminated by the University of Alabama’s athletics department, “I informed our team of my positive test at 2 p.m. today on a Zoom calland let them know offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian will oversee preparations while I work from home.”
In a Zoom press conference, Saban stated he will be preparing for this Saturday’s Week 4 contest against Georgia the same way he does for other matchups, just from home. He also added that he’ll likely have to learn a bit more about technology.
While he did not rule out being present for the Georgia game this Saturday during the press conference, it will likely not be the case.
He did, however, mention a protocol that’s in place for a scenario such as this.
If Saban’s not able to be there, offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian is the next in line.
“In light of the fact that any coach could test positive, we try to have a protocol in place if we lost a coach… and who would step in for them. Sark has been a head coach before,” Saban said.
There are now three days remaining until kickoff against Georgia. Roll Tide Wire will keep you updated on all things Alabama Football, as well as the health and safety of Nick Saban and the rest of the team.
Clint Lamb and Brett Hudson team up to talk about fall camp updates surrounding Alabama’s football program, including comments fro coaches.
Clint Lamb and Brett Hudson team up to talk about fall camp updates surrounding Alabama’s football program. The two discuss the two-week bar ban, updates from Steve Sarkisian and Pete Golding, and specific position groups such as the outside linebackers and secondary.
Stay tuned for more updates from Roll Tide Wire, part of the USA TODAY Sports College Wire network!
Alabama and Steve Sarkisian agree to three-year deal that will pay $2.5 million per year.
ESPN’s college football reporter Alex Scarborough reported earlier today that the University of Alabama and offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian agreed on a new three-year contract worth $2.5 million annually.
This deal was reached back in February, but is just now being made public. Sarkisian’s old contract was only paying out $1.65 million, almost a million-dollar raise.
This is not Sarkisian’s first time with the Crimson Tide. In 2016 he served as an offensive analyst and interim offensive coordinator. He then went on to the NFL to be the offensive coordinator of the Atlanta Falcons. When that came to an end, Sarkisian found his way back to Tuscaloosa in 2019 and has now re-worked his deal.
According to NCAA.com, Sarkisian led the 2019 Alabama offense to being ranked No. 6 overall. They ranked No. 3 in FBS for yards per play (7.89), No. 4 for touchdowns (76) and No. 9 for total yards (6,640).
Roll Tide Wire will keep you updated on all things Alabama football as any and all news and information become available.
Former USC Trojans head coach Steve Sarkisian underwent heart surgery after a routine physical at Alabama revealed some concerns.
Former USC Trojans head coach Steve Sarkisian, now an offensive coordinator at Alabama, underwent successful heart surgery last week.
During Sarkisian’s annual executive physical, it was determined he needed an immediate procedure to correct a congenital cardiovascular anomaly.
“Coach Sarkisian underwent a successful procedure this past Thursday (July 2) in Birmingham,” a statement from Alabama’s athletic department read. “He is back home in Tuscaloosa and is expected to make a full recovery.”
Sarkisian initially joined the Trojans in 2001 as an offensive assistant under coach Pete Carroll and offensive coordinator Norm Chow. Sarkisian was also an assistant from 2005-2008, and he eventually landed as the head coach at the University of Washington, where he operated from 2009-2013.
Sarkisian finally took over as the head coach for the Trojans during the 2014 and 2015 seasons, going 9-4 in 2014 and winning the Holiday Bowl. He went 3-2 to start the 2015 campaign before he was asked to take a leave of absence following an incident of being drunk at work. The leave of absence eventually turned into termination, and coach Clay Helton took over on an interim basis, a role he has kept ever since.
Sarkisian has bounced around at Alabama and the Atlanta Falcons since then, and is now settled in as Alabama’s offensive coordinator.
Although his final stint at USC is not remembered very fondly, we extend best wishes to coach Sarkisian as he recovers from heart surgery.
Former Falcons offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, who currently holds the same position at the University of Alabama, reportedly underwent a successful cardiovascular procedure.
Former Falcons offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, who currently holds the same position at the University of Alabama, reportedly underwent a successful cardiovascular procedure.
Alabama’s Twitter account released the following statement regarding Sarkisian’s status after his surgery:
Taking over for Kyle Shanahan after the Falcons’ 2016 Super Bowl run, Sarkisian wasn’t able to make the offense produce at that same elite level in 2017.
While he made strides in 2018, head coach Dan Quinn elected to replace him with Dirk Koetter in 2019. The move has yielded mixed results thus far.
Sarkisian landed on his feet working under Nick Saban at Alabama, though, and still has a promising future in coaching.
