Continuing our Coach Debate series, we take a look at two former Nick Saban reclamation projects who are now leading elite offenses.
The case for Sarkisian:
A proven recruiter, Sark has pulled in some big names in his relatively short tenure at Texas, including Arch Manning. The Longhorns have finished in the top five of 247’s composite rankings in his first two full cycles in Austin. He’s an upper-tier offensive mind who has coordinated and called plays for some of the best units in history, including the 2020 Alabama team that shattered records. He’s bringing in enough talent to be able to compete immediately in the SEC next season.
The case against Sarkisian:
While he’s done a lot to clean up his reputation – and himself – Sarkisian still has skeletons in his closet. So while he seems to have gotten the demons that haunted him at USC under control, alcohol problems can be very tough to shake, especially when under constant pressure. And Austin is an absolute pressure cooker. Few – if any – jobs in the country are under as much scrutiny as Texas. Expectations are up – and rightfully so – but that means that he’ll be under the microscope as much as ever.
The case for Lane Kiffin:
One of the most polarizing coaches since he first stepped into the spotlight for the Raiders more than 15 years ago, the former child prodigy remains in the news as much as any non-championship winning coach. One of the reasons for this is that he’s one of the best offensive minds in the country year in and year out. His units consistently finish at the top of the country in total yards and points per game, but he’s not beholden to a specific system. Kiffin balances running and passing very effectively, adapting to his talent. He’s also one of the best coaches in managing the transfer portal and has made some big splashes in recruiting.
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The case against Lane Kiffin:
He’s polarizing for a reason. Not everyone appreciates his personality – especially some of his fellow coaches – and his relationship with the media is love/hate. On the field, his teams have tended to fade toward the end of the season, losing games they have no business losing. Just look at last year – they started 7-0 and then lost five of their last six, including their final four contests.
The Verdict:
Both former Saban reclamation projects have some warts, and they’re surprisingly similar in a lot of ways. It’s another one where we’re splitting hairs, but Sarkisian, at this point in his career, is a safer bet moving forward because of his overall demeanor. The late-season swoons of Kiffin’s teams, especially of late, combined with the fact that it’s easier to consistently recruit at Texas, gives Sark the edge.
