Alabama finalizes coaching staff with seven new hires, including former Falcons coach Steve Sarkisian

Former Washington and Southern California head coach Steve Sarkisian will return to coach Nick Saban’s staff at Alabama in 2019.

Sarkisian is among the seven coaches who will work with Saban next season who weren’t on the staff in 2018. Sarkisian will be the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach.

“We are excited to be able to assemble such a talented group of coaches to develop our players both on and off the field,” Saban said. “These coaches have a great mix of energy, enthusiasm, and experience that will be a tremendous asset to our program. They are all excellent teachers of the game and fantastic recruiters who bring a wealth of experience to our staff.”

Sarkisian called the plays for Alabama in the 2017 College Football Playoff championship game loss to Clemson after coordinator Lane Kiffin accepted the head coach position at Florida International.

He replaces Mike Locksley, now the head coach at Maryland.

Also joining the Crimson Tide’s offensive staff is Kyle Flood, who will be the line coach. He held that position the past two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, and he also is the former head coach at Rutgers.

The only returnees to Saban’s staff are Jeff Banks (tight ends coach/special teams coordinator), Pete Golding (defensive coordinator/inside linebackers coach) and Karl Scott (cornerbacks).

Alabama’s coaching staff is rounded out by Charles Huff (associate head coach/running backs); Holmon Wiggins (wide receivers), Brian Baker (associate head coach/defensive line), Charles Kelly (associate defensive coordinator/safeties); and Sal Sunseri (outside linebackers).

Saban finds himself retooling his staff after every season ends. The success of the Crimson Tide has made Saban’s assistants hot prospects on the coaching market. His extensive coaching tree has several current Power 5 head coaches, including Locksley, Kirby Smart (Georgia), Jeremy Pruitt (Tennessee), Mario Cristobal (Oregon), Jimbo Fisher (Texas A&M) and Will Muschamp (South Carolina).

In Saban’s 12 seasons in Alabama, his teams have won five national championships.

–Field Level Media