Former Southern California head coach Steve Sarkisian is joining No. 1 Alabama’s staff as an analyst.
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The position allows Sarkisian to watch film of games and practices and offer advice.
“We talked about really quite a while ago and I told him that we’d love to have him as part of the organization”. Because of NCAA limits on staff size, he can not coach players on the field.
Tosh Lupoi was hired by Alabama as an analyst in 2014 and was promoted to linebackers coach in 2015.
Fox Sports first reported Saturday that Sarkisian would reunite with former colleague Lane Kiffin following Alabama’s 52-6 demolition of USC.
Saban said Sarkisian has worked to “get himself in a positive situation”.
Sarkisian was sacked by USC last season after his life spiraled out of control due because of alcohol abuse. The two coached offense together at USC under Pete Carroll. He told TMZ in August that “life’s good” and that he was looking forward to an analyst role with Fox Sports as it would keep him around football.
He later sought treatment for alcoholism and has sued USC alleging the school breached his contract and discriminated against him on the basis of a disability.
“We’re going to continue to help him in his program as an organization and we’ll support him when he has an opportunity”, Saban said.
Sarkisian, who also was a head coach at Washington before going to USC, brings to five number of FBS head coaches on Saban’s staff, joining Kiffin, Mario Cristobal, Bobby Williams and Mike Locksley.
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Alabama returns to action this weekend against Western Kentucky.
