Steve Sarkisian on return to Alabama from NFL: I had unfinished business with this man

Steve Sarkisian credits Nick Saban for saving his career after being hired as an offensive analyst for the 2016 season. This led to Sarkisian filling in for Lane Kiffin as the offensive coordinator for the national championship game and the following offseason, a move to the NFL was made.

Unfortunately, things did not work out for Sarkisian with the Atlanta Falcons. He could not live up to the standards of Kyle Shanahan and after two seasons, he was fired. As things work in the NFL, there was going to be another opportunity for Sarkisian until a certain someone gave him a ring.

“I was going to stay in the NFL,” Sarkisian said via The Pivot Podcast. “That was the plan. I actually had verbally accepted a job to be an offensive coordinator in the NFL. And guess who called me again? Nick Saban called again.”

When Saban originally called three years prior, Sarkisian was at his lowest point. He had just been fired from USC after a short stint as the head coach and was dealing with personal issues. There were not too many opportunities, of any kind, available for Sarkisian.

Saban was now looking to fill an offensive coordinator role himself. Brian Daboll had just left in favor of the NFL himself with the Buffalo Bills. Sarkisian’s wife reminded him of the opportunity Saban extended to him in the past. Staying in the NFL might have been the plan but Sarkisian “owed” Alabama and Saban.

“I called the woman in my life at the time who is now my wife, Loreal, and she didn’t want me to leave Alabama the first time,” Sarkisian said. “And I said ‘why did you not want me to leave?’ And she reminded me that he gave me that chance and that I owed him. I went back and I went back for that very reason.”

More than just owing Saban was on his mind, though. Alabama was on the losing end to Clemson when Sarkisian was calling plays back in 2016. A legendary performance from Deshaun Watson gave the program its second-ever national championship.

Sarkisian wanted one of his own and was able to secure it. Alabama was dominant for the entirety of the 2020 season, led by Sarkisian’s playcalling. Wide receiver DeVonta Smith won the Heisman Trophy while quarterback Mac Jones and running back Najee Harris all finished in the top five.

“I had unfinished business with this man that we didn’t accomplish what we set out to do,” Sarkisian said. “Two years later, we go and win a national championship. An amazing run.”

Job opportunities were now beginning to line up for Sarkisian after dazzling at Alabama. However, he made sure the right one came along before accepting a head coaching role. When Chris Del Conte and the Texas brass called, Sarkisian was all over it.

“I had turned down some jobs along the way and Texas called,” Sarkisian said. “It was like ‘okay, this is the one. This is the one you’re supposed to go take.’ Because you never know if you’re going to get another one. So, the one you get, you hope it’s one that you can go achieve greatness and win a championship and build your own legacy.”

In two seasons at Texas, Sarkisian sports a 13-12 record but drastically improved this past year. Expectations are going to be even higher during the 2023 season, with the Longhorns primed to make a run at the Big 12 Championship.

Had Loreal Sarkisian not reminded her husband of Saban’s prior moves, none of this would be happening.