Sarkisian to run Alabama’s offense in national-title game

Published 1:30 am Monday, January 2, 2017

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Lane Kiffin isn’t sticking around to run Alabama’s offense in the national championship game, bringing an end to a successful but sometimes tense three-year pairing with Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban.

Saban said Monday that Kiffin will leave to focus on his new job as Florida Atlantic’s head coach. Incoming offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, the former head coach of the Washington Huskies, will replace him for the Jan. 9 national championship against Clemson in Tampa, Florida.

Kiffin and Saban said they made the decision after meetings following the Peach Bowl win over Washington on Saturday.

“We appreciate all that Lane has done for our football program over the last three years,” Saban said. “We sat down following the Washington game and talked about the time demands of managing both jobs, and we recognized that it is best for our players, and for Lane, that we allow him to turn his full attention to his new head-coaching role at FAU.

“This wasn’t an easy decision and we appreciate the way Lane handled this in terms of doing what is best for our team. At the end of the day, both of us wanted to put our players in the best position to be successful.”

Sarkisian, who was fired as USC’s head coach last season, already had been announced as Kiffin’s successor. He’s been working as an offensive analyst for the Tide since the second week of the season.

Kiffin said it became apparent over the last couple of weeks that it would be better for both programs if he focused solely on the Florida Atlantic job. After meeting with Saban Sunday night and Monday morning, “we mutually decided that it was in everyone’s best interests for the players and the program for Coach Sarkisian to take over all responsibilities as offensive coordinator for the championship game.”

“This was a very difficult decision, but it’s a decision made in the best interests of the program,” Kiffin said. “I look forward to helping Alabama win another championship, and would like to thank Coach Saban, the staff, and all the players and fans for the past three years at UA for an unforgettable time and championship run. Roll Tide!”

Saban hired Kiffin months after his firing as the head coach at USC — famously at the airport after a late-night flight back from a game. The position gave him the chance to revitalize his career.

The pairing worked well on the field, when the Tide won three Southeastern Conference titles and earned a shot at a second national championship. But it was often tense.

Saban could be seen a number of times on the sidelines giving Kiffin an earful during games.

Kiffin was asked before the Peach Bowl if he could recall the happiest moment with Saban in a game.

“I don’t recall a happy moment,” he said, adding that he only remembered the many times he was chewed out. “I won’t take that part of the process with me, though.”