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Steve Sarkisian hired as Falcons offensive coordinator

By Evan Lovett

Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide incoming offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian looks on during warm-ups prior to the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide incoming offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian looks on during warm-ups prior to the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports /
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Steve Sarkisian hired by Atlanta Falcons, will become offensive coordinator.

Steve Sarkisian most recently spent one game as the offensive coordinator for the University of Alabama, losing 35-31 in the championship game of the College Football Playoff to Clemson.

Sarkisian replaced Lane Kiffin, another former USC head coach, for the preparation leading up to that game when Kiffin took a job as head coach at Florida Atlantic University.

Prior to the role in Alabama, Sarkisian was an analyst for Nick Saban’s squad and was lauded for his ability to prepare and organize the offense.

In Atlanta, Sarkisian will be tasked with further developing a dynamic offense that led the NFL in scoring under MVP quarterback Matt Ryan.

With Julio Jones, Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman in tow, Sarkisian will attempt to continue the offensive dominance the team developed under former OC Kyle Shanahan.

Shanahan left the Falcons after the Super Bowl to become head coach with the San Francisco 49ers.

Atlanta head coach Dan Quinn has familiarity with Sarkisian, with whom he spent time with during the latter’s hiatus from coaching.

Sarkisian also visited with Quinn and the Falcons during training camp prior to the the 2016 season.

USC AD Pat Haden fired Sarkisian in 2015 after the embattled head coach allegedly showed up to practices under the influence of painkillers and alcohol.

He subsequently sued the school for wrongful termination, alleging that the university did not have grounds to fire him.

Sarkisian-led teams went 12-6 in his 18 games with the school.

Prior to his tenure at USC, Sarkisian was Washington’s head coach from 2009 to 2013, where he revived the moribund Huskies program, going 34-29 at Washington despite only 12 wins in five seasons prior to his arrival.

Also, he served as offensive coordinator at USC in 2007-08.  Sarkisian had one previous NFL job.

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With the Oakland Raiders in 2004, he was quarterbacks coach. Kerry Collins was 13th in the NFL with 3,495 passing yards that season, with 21 touchdowns and 20 interceptions.

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