Steve Sarkisian reveals heartfelt lessons learned from Nick Saban

As the Texas football team preps to open the season on Sept. 3, college football reporters are already looking ahead to Sept. 10, which is the Longhorns’ big date versus the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide. This week on the Rich Eisen Show, Steve Sarkisian opened up about the lessons he learned from Nick Saban during their stints together at Alabama.

“He’s the greatest to ever do it for a reason,” Sarkisian said. “He lives a very regimented, disciplined life. He’s very scheduled and he knows what he’s going to do at any time of day. That spills over to the team and it is very structured.

“They know what is expected of them on a daily basis. That’s a by-product of who Nick is as a person. It doesn’t mean they don’t have a lot fun, it doesn’t mean they aren’t tough and physical and play fast, but it stems from that discipline in his life.”

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Although the Texas coach doesn’t operate in as rigid a fashion as the Tide skipper, he believes it benefitted him to be in that environment.

“I think it was helpful,” Sarkisian said. “It allows everyone else that structure to fall in line with what you’re doing and it minimizes the unknown.”

Saban and Sarkisian worked together on two occasions at Bama. Sark served first as an analyst and then as offensive coordinator. Following his experience in 2016, Sarkisian spent two seasons in the NFL as an offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons. An opening at Alabama led him back to Saban’s staff for two more seasons. Without those years, he would not be the head coach of the Texas Longhorns.

Sarkisian explains why Alabama showdown is litmus test

Steve Sarkisian believes he’ll learn everything he needs to know about his Texas program when Alabama comes to town during the 2022 season.

“I have the utmost respect for Coach Saban and that organization and that team,” Sarkisian said at media days. “Without Coach Saban, I wouldn’t be here sitting with you guys today, for what he’s done for my career. I know the work ethic that he has. I know the work ethic that his players and that building have on a daily basis, and I know they’ll be prepared and ready to play. We will be, too.

“Now, how far we can take it and what that looks like on game-day, we’ll find out. But it’ll be a heck of an environment in Austin, Texas that day. I think we’re all looking forward to it.”

Longhorns fans have already sold out DKR for the Crimson Tide game.