SEC assistant announced as winner of 2020 Broyles Award

It’s been a dominant season for Alabama’s offense, which has been one of the best units in the country. Through their first 11 games, the Crimson Tide are averaging 543.9 total yards per game, which ranks fourth in the nation among teams that have played more than four games.

So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian has received some national recognition. On Monday, he was announced as the winner of the 2020 Broyles Award, which is given annually to the top assistant coach in college football.

Sarkisian is in his second year on Alabama’s staff, as he joined the Crimson Tide for the 2019 season after spending the previous two years as the offensive coordinator for the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons. He also had a brief stint as an analyst for Alabama in 2016.

In addition to his responsibilities as offensive coordinator, Sarkisian is also the Crimson Tide’s quarterbacks coach. He’s worked closely with redshirt junior quarterback Mac Jones, who is one of the four finalists for the Heisman Trophy after passing for 3,739 yards, 32 touchdowns and four interceptions so far this season.

The Broyles Award has been handed out every year since 1996, and it’s named after Frank Broyles, who had plenty of great assistant coaches during his time as the head coach at Arkansas from 1958-76.

Sarkisian beat out four other finalists for the 2020 honor — BYU offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes, Cincinnati defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman, Indiana defensive coordinator Kane Wommack and Northwestern defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz.

Congratulations, to our 2020 Broyles Award winner, Steve Sarkisian!

See our press release:https://t.co/8W9t36tqAT@AlabamaFTBL @CoachSark pic.twitter.com/gwjIBX73Cr

— The Broyles Award (@BroylesAward) December 28, 2020

Jake Rill

Jake Rill contributes to news coverage for Saturday Down South. He has covered the SEC since 2016.