Steve Sarkisian reveals if he'll talk with Nick Saban ahead of Alabama game

Steve Sarkisian and Nick Saban have a very professional relationship and it’s nothing but respect from Texas to Alabama.

Sarkisian left for Texas in 2021 after coaching under Saban at Alabama as the offensive coordinator. The two squared off last season when Alabama edged Texas, the notorious Quinn Ewers injury game.

The Longhorns and Crimson Tide take each other on in Game 2 this season and Sarkisian won’t talk to Saban during that week. But maybe he’ll conversate with an old friend beforehand.

“Probably not the week of you know, maybe right before the season I’ll give him a call but maybe not the week,” Sarkisian said on The Herd. “You know, I’ve got the utmost respect for him. Of course I can’t say enough what he did for my career. We have some special moments. And that’s you know, I learned this from Pete (Carroll) a long time ago with USC, there’s nothing better than competing against your friends and the people you respect the most.

“So you will put forth a great week of preparation. We’ll have a good plan and I have no question our guys are gonna go out and play hard. We got to play well enough to win.”

Sarkisian essentially resurrected his career at Alabama when he coached under Saban. He coached for two seasons after serving as the OC with the Atlanta Falcons.

It was a fall from grace for Sarkisian after his USC days. He actually coached at Alabama in 2016 as an analyst and the interim OC before going to the NFL.

But coaching Tua Tagovaila and Mac Jones and winning a national championship with the Crimson Tide brought him another chance to lead a program.

Sarkisian credits Saban with a lot, including helping his career get back on track.

Going into last September, Saban was very complimentary of Sarkisian’s play calling ability.

“I think he’s a very bright guy. He’s very well organized and did an outstanding job when he was here. He’s got a good system and he understands defense,” Saban said. “(Sarkisian) like to see what you’re in if he can so that he can run a play that’s gonna be an effective play against that particular look or give his players the best chance to be successful.

“I think all those things and good preparation make you a very, very good play caller.”

Sarkisian and Saban square off for the second year in a row, this time in Tuscaloosa, on September 9.