Steve Sarkisian, who was sacked as the University of Southern California football coach last season, is now working as an analyst for No. 1 Alabama, the reigning national champions who dismantled the No. 20 Trojans, Sarkisian’s former team, 52-6 on Saturday.
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Following his dismissal, Sarkisian filed a $30 million wrongful termination lawsuit against Southern Cal, claiming his alcoholism was a state-mandated disability. Hired as the head coach at Washington, Sarkisian led the Huskies to four bowl games in five seasons, compiling a 34-29 record. That’s exactly what he did, starting wtih a 39-yard TD pass to Stewart midway through the second quarter, which sparked the blowout.
“We had two teams in our league that lost to teams that were nowhere near this good (as WKU)”, Saban said, according to Ben Jones of the Tuscaloosa News. They surrendered nine tackles for loss, gave up a touchdown on blown coverage and flubbed a punt to set up a 13-yard Alabama touchdown drive. They play physical football. “He adds a dimension with his athleticism and his ability to run that I think is very effective, and I think that actually opened up the running game”. “And I’m proud of our team for beating a good team”. Shank (Taylor) coming back at right guard, where he played before, he’s a powerful guy.
“These are not things that we can take at all for granted”. The senior started all 15 games at right guard last season for the Tide.
“We think both guys are talented, and we wanted both guys to play in the game”, Saban said.
“Obviously one game does not make a season”. According to reports, Sarkisian was sacked after several incidents with alcohol came to light.
He was recently found not guilty of driving under the influence. The bright side is that no matter what happened against Alabama on Saturday night, it would’ve only been as good or as bad as the rest of September. He’s got to play his way back into it. Saban went even younger when, as he had planned, Hurts got into the game on the third series. Sims, a junior, left the Tide’s season-opening win against USC this past Saturday with a bruised shoulder.
While Tomlinson returned to action later in the game, Saban listed Sims as day-to-day for this week’s home opener against Western Kentucky.
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An ESPN.com report indicated some within the program believed he was drunk during a game against Arizona State, which the Trojans won 42-14.
