Offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian is leaving Alabama for the NFL

What a wild turn of events this is in Tuscaloosa.

ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter and Jordan Schultz are both reporting that Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian is set to leave the Tide to become the Atlanta Falcons new offensive coordinator. The NFC Champion Falcons have an opening thanks to Kyle Shanahan leaving to become the new head coach of the San Francisco 49ers.

Alabama OC Steve Sarkisian is poised to replace Kyle Shanahan as Falcons' new OC, as @Schultz_Report reported.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 7, 2017

Here’s the tweet Schefter is referring to, via Huffington Post Sports Columnist Jordan Schultz:

Source confirms that Steve Sarkisian is all but certain to be named the #Falcons next offensive coordinator. Announcement forthcoming.

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) February 7, 2017

Sarkisian was named Alabama offensive coordinator on Jan. 2 after serving the 2016 regular season as an offensive analyst for the Crimson Tide. Before landing in Tuscaloosa, Sarkisian was head coach of USC for the 2014 and 2015 seasons and head coach of Washington from 2009-2013. Sarkisian was fired by USC in the middle of the 2015 season after struggling with substance abuse issues. The coach filed a lawsuit for wrongful termination against the school.

The National Championship Game against Clemson was the only game Sarkisian served as Alabama’s offensive coordinator.

UPDATE: The Falcons have now confirmed the news:

The Falcons have agreed with Steve Sarkisian to become Atlanta’s offensive coordinator.

— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) February 7, 2017