Steve Sarkisian explains decision to return for second stint with Nick Saban, Alabama in 2019: 'I owed him'

Steve Sarkisian will see his former team this weekend, with the Alabama Crimson Tide making a trip to Austin. Serving time as an analyst and offensive coordinator while Tuscaloosa, Sarkisian has been asked plenty about his old job. He explained to make a return despite leaving at one point for the NFL.

First, Sarkisian said he thoroughly enjoyed his time in the professional ranks with the Atlanta Falcons. While there might have not been a ton of success, he thought that was his calling at the time. Sarkisian did work with some talented players as the offensive coordinator.

“I enjoyed my experience in Atlanta with Dan Quinn and the Falcons,” said Sarkisian. “At the time, that’s what I thought I was destined to do, was to be in the NFL. I enjoyed it, had a great experience. Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, all those guys I had there.”

But after just two seasons away from Alabama, Nick Saban came calling again. He himself was in search of an offensive coordinator after Mike Locksley left for the Maryland job. Sarkisian said he felt like he “owed it” to Saban and return to coach for the Crimson Tide.

“When Coach Saban called, I kind of took a step back,” Sarkisian said. “I started to think about ‘here’s the man that gave me an opportunity when I couldn’t get an interview anywhere else let alone a job. Then, he entrusted in me to make me the offensive coordinator for a national championship game after being an analyst all season.

“He had a lot of faith in me. When he called, I thought really long and hard of it. I felt like I owed him. I felt like I owed Coach Saban, I owed that school. They were the ones that had extended an olive branch to me when there weren’t a lot of them out there for me.”

Going back to Alabama was “best decision” of Sarkisian’s coaching career

Once the decision was made, Sarkisian found instant success. Alabama had one of the best offenses in the country in both 2019 and 2020, even having DeVonta Smith winning the Heisman Trophy. From a team standpoint, Sarkisian added a national championship to his resume. He said the move was the best decision of his career.

“So I went back and it’s easy to say now it’s the best decision I ever made of my coaching career,” Sarkisian said. “But I really felt that at that time. It was an awesome experience. Got to work with some awesome players, work with some great people. Learned a lot and now, ultimately, I’m here. Grateful, thankful.”

Everything came “full circle” for Steve Sarkisian

When Lane Kiffin was removed from the program to take the FAU job, Sarkisian was given the task of calling the 2017 national championship vs. Clemson. Alabama lost the game and then Sarkisian decided to leave for Atlanta.

He called going to the NFL instead of becoming the Crimson Tide’s OC a “missed opportunity” but was glad everything came full circle in 2019. The move has paid off in a big way now that he’s the head coach at Texas.

“It was maybe about a missed opportunity when I left the first time,” said Sarkisian. “I don’t regret that because going to Atlanta, I think, has helped me as a coach, helped shaped me. But I feel like when I did leave the first time to go to the Falcons, I may have missed an opportunity there at Alabama to be the coordinator for the next how many ever years.

“So when it came full circle, it came back around again, I felt like I couldn’t pass it up again. It worked out great. Ended up winning a national championship, Heisman Trophy winner, and head coach at the University of Texas. I guess I could say it was a pretty good call to go back.”

Steve Sarkisian will get his first crack at Saban since leaving last offseason. Texas will come into the game as heavy underdogs and expected to lose at home. Even so, Sarkisian is in the position he is due to his return to Alabama.