SEC INSIDER

Sarkisian joins Saban’s staff at Alabama

The Sports Xchange

September 05, 2016 at 12:37 pm.

Sep 26, 2015; Tempe, AZ, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Steve Sarkisian reacts against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. The Trojans defeated the Sun Devils 42-14. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 26, 2015; Tempe, AZ, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Steve Sarkisian reacts against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. The Trojans defeated the Sun Devils 42-14. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Former Southern California and Washington head coach Steve Sarkisian has been hired by Alabama as an offensive analyst, coach Nick Saban announced Monday.

Sarkisian was fired as the Trojans’ coach early last season following a series of alcohol-related incidents. He filed a wrongful termination lawsuit and later agreed to binding arbitration to settle the issue.

Saban said he first discussed with Sarkisian about joining Alabama’s staff “quite a while ago.”

“I told him that we’d love to have him as part of the organization,” Saban said Monday. “He’s gone through some personal things himself to get himself in a very positive position and wants to continue to do those things in the future. Professionally, he loves coaching, and so we thought it would be a good thing for our organization to have (him).”

The 42-year old Sarkisian joins a Crimson Tide offensive staff led by offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin, also a former USC head coach. The two coached offense together at USC under Pete Carroll.

As an analyst, Sarkisian is allowed to watch film of games and practice, and provide input on the weekly game plan. He is not allowed to have a hands-on coaching role or interact with players on the football field for the nation’s top-ranked team.

“I’ve known him for a long time, and he’s a very, very good coach,” Saban said. “We’re glad to have him as part of the organization, and hopefully he’ll be able to get back on his feet professionally and this will be beneficial to him.”

Tosh Lupoi was hired by Alabama as an analyst in 2014 and was promoted to linebackers coach in 2015.

Sarkisian’s first head coaching job was with Washington in 2009. He stayed with the Huskies through the 2013 season, before leaving to take the head job at USC.

Sarkisian coached the Huskies to a 34-29 record from 2009-13, guiding the team to four bowl games in five seasons. His first USC team went 9-4 in 2014, including a Holiday Bowl win. He was fired with a 3-2 record last October, leaving his overall coaching record at 46-35.

Sarkisian had previously reached an agreement to work as a television analyst during games for Fox Sports this season.

ALL  |  NFL  |  College Football  |  MLB  |  NBA