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There are some unknowns from both teams on the eve of CFP national title week.
What is Justin Fields’ injury status? What about Jaylen Waddle?
Zooming out, Steve Sarkisian’s ability to manage his final week as Crimson Tide’s offensive coordinator after being named Texas head coach on Saturday is more theoretical than physical.
It’s similar but different from other seasoned Championship Game Coach Finals in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. Unlike the others, Sarkisian was not hired and announced a few weeks before going into the semi-final. There was time to build up a staff and recruit before returning to coordination for the playoffs.
Sarkissian’s timeline started the day after the semi-final victory over Notre Dame, so the pace is a little different from the act of juggling performed by Kirby Smart, Jeremy Pruitt, Mike Locksley and partially by Lane Kiffin.
Saban said on Monday that he was in this state of limbo. Michigan State hired him away from the Cleveland Browns staff for the 1995 season before the 1994 playoffs ended. Saban had to balance the work of the NFL with starting a Spartan program and that experience stuck with him.
“I think you just have to split up and focus on – look, if it wasn’t for the players, if the Cleveland Browns weren’t the best defense, I probably would never have got Michigan. State work, ”Saban said. “So you kind of owe it to the players to give your best, to do your best to help them get ready for the game so they can play well. This is what I have always felt. I think that’s how Sark feels.
The Alabama players were happy with Sarkisian’s new gig, wide receiver DeVonta Smith said on Monday. They were informed of the surprise move during a meeting Saturday after returning from Dallas on the night of the Rose Bowl.
“It’s part of the business,” Smith said. “But he’s going to be here with us throughout this last game, and we’re trying to end things the right way.
Smith was also part of the 2018 squad that had their fair share of coaching changes before and after the loss in the domestic title game to Clemson. Virtually all of the staff left after the 44-16 loss in Santa Clara, Calif., And Saban at the time said those distractions had an impact on preparations.
Sarkisian actually replaced Kiffin to close the 2016 season after taking on the responsibilities of offensive coordinator in the semi-finals after taking the post of FAU head coach. He left after the win against Washington and before the last second loss to Clemson when Sarkisian was raised from analyst to offensive coordinator.
Saban had nothing but good things to say about Sarkisian during his last week in Tuscaloosa.
“Sark has done a wonderful job here,” he said. “It is very well organized. He works very well with everyone in the organization, players and coaches. He’s a good player on match day. He does a really good job of putting together the players’ game plan for each game, and he just did a great job.
On Monday, Sarkisian is the only assistant coach on the pitch to have accepted a new job for the 2021 season, although staff members like Butch Jones, Major Applewhite and AJ Milwee have new gigs scheduled for next season.
Alabama won national titles in 2015 and 2017 when defensive coordinators Smart and Pruitt had already accepted head coaching positions.
“Most guys in the past have been able to do it and have been effective, and it hasn’t been a distraction for us,” Saban said Monday. “We will try to help manage it in any way we can so that it is not a distraction for us this year.”
Alabama and Ohio kick off at 7 p.m. PT next Monday at Miami Gardens.
Michael Casagrande is a reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on twitter @ByCasagrande Or on Facebook.
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