Steve Sarkisian’s stint as USC’s head coach did not end well.

USC fired Sarkisian in 2015 after learning that he dd not show up for a scheduled practice. Moreover, Trojan assistants reported that they had smelled alcohol on Sarkisian’s breath at a pre-practice meeting and told him to go home. Clay Helton was named the interim (tag later removed) head coach the following day while Sarkisian began his journey into alcohol rehabilitation.

On Tuesday, Sarkisian recalled that period of his life with “The Pivot” podcast. He stated that he was having trouble finding a job and was planning on heading into TV before Nick Saban and Alabama offered him a role as an analyst. Sarkisian was later named interim OC and called plays for Alabama’s national championship victory over Clemson, one that earned him the OC position in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons.

Saban extending that olive branch has stuck with Sarkisian. He said Tuesday that, essentially, Nick Saban saved his coaching career that day.

Of course, Sarkisian would return to Alabama to win another title with the Crimson Tide in 2020 as offensive coordinator. In 2021, Sarkisian earned his first head coaching gig since he was fired by USC in 2015, accepting the HC role with the Texas Longhorns on Jan. 2, 2021.