Alabama hires Steve Sarkisian to replace Lane Kiffin as offensive coordiantor

Sarkisian joined Alabama as an offensive analyst in September

Steve Sarkisian is Alabama's new offensive coordinator, though his promotion from offensive analyst to the position is ultimately not much of a surprise.

Sarkisian, who will also coach quarterbacks, moves into the role after offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin became the coach at Florida Atlantic.

"We are pleased to be able to hire an offensive coordinator with the pedigree and experience of Steve Sarkisian," Alabama coach Nick Saban said in a statement. "He has a tremendous offensive mind and is someone we believe will do a great job of teaching and developing our football team on the offensive side of the ball. He has been a great asset to our coaching staff this season and brings a great deal of energy and enthusiasm to his job. Steve will be a phenomenal addition to our coaching staff and someone who can seamlessly transition into the job with a full understanding of how our organization works."

Sarkisian was initially hired as an offensive analyst for the Crimson Tide in September, a little less than a year after he was fired from USC amid reports of substance abuse issues.

Prior to joining Alabama's staff, Sarkisian was the coach at USC for a year and a half from 2014-15. He was fired in October of 2015 after, among other things, a video surfaced of Sarkisian going on a profanity-laced rant at a booster event in which he appeared to be inebriated. Sarkisian apologized in a statement.

"He's going through some personal things himself," Saban told reporters when he hired Sarkisian as an analyst. "We thought it would be a good thing for our organization. ... He understands the consequences that he deals with professionally if he has any issues or problems."

Sarkisian was the coach at Washington from 2009-13 where he went 34-29. He was 12-6 overall at USC before being fired.

"I am humbled and honored to have the opportunity to join Coach Saban's staff, and I can't thank The University of Alabama enough," Sarkisian said in his statement. "I have always admired the Alabama program from afar and getting to be part of this football team these past few months has only reinforced my belief that this is the best college football organization in the country. There are many outstanding coaches and athletes at The University of Alabama, and I am extremely excited to start working with them in my new role. This is a very special place to have the opportunity to coach when you consider the program's rich tradition and the unrivaled passion of the fan base."