New Arch Manning book details Pete Golding, Alabama taking questionable jab at Steve Sarkisian’s past
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Recruiting high-profile prospects at the major college football level is often a dirty game. The schools that regularly sign the best recruits and create the best classes have to be a little comfortable getting their hands dirty.
In a forthcoming book from ESPN’s Seth Wickersham, “American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback,“ new details from the whirlwind recruitment of former No. 1 overall recruit Arch Manning show just how ruthless recruiting can be.
Manning signed with Texas out of the 2023 class. For years, his recruitment was one of the most talked-about stories in college football. Clemson was in the mix. So was Ole Miss, so was LSU, so was Georgia. Wickersham even revealed that Virginia got a visit from the Manning family.
Alabama was among Manning’s finalists. Former Alabama defensive coordinator Pete Golding had an active role in Manning’s recruitment. According to Wickersham’s book, Golding took a pretty uncomfortable shot at Texas coach Steve Sarkisian — at the implied request of former Alabama boss Nick Saban — in order to sully the Longhorns in the eyes of the Mannings.
During a Zoom call with Arch, Golding was discussing Alabama’s culture when he brought up Sarkisian’s past struggles with alcohol abuse.
“I love Sark,” Golding said, per Wickersham. “He’s my best friend. … I hope he can stay sober.”
According to the book, Manning’s high school head coach called Golding after the Zoom ended to tell Golding the comment was “f—ed up.” Golding responded by saying he didn’t have a choice, that “Daddy’s on me.” Saban was “affectionately” referred to as “Daddy” by Alabama assistant coaches, according to the book.
Sarkisian has been very open about his sobriety. After being fired from USC in 2015, Sarkisian entered rehab and has been sober ever since.
Saban also helped Sarkisian turn his career around, and Sarkisian has frequently spoken glowingly about the doors Saban opened for him. He has also thanked Alabama for its role in helping to uncover a serious heart condition in 2020. Sarkisian joined Alabama’s staff in 2016 as an offensive analyst. After 2 years in the NFL, Sarkisian rejoined Saban as the Alabama offensive coordinator in 2019, where he worked alongside Golding for 2 seasons and helped the Crimson Tide win the 2020 national championship.
He took the head Texas job that offseason and has led the Longhorns back to national relevance.
Texas opens the 2025 season at No. 1 in the AP poll. Manning, now set to start at quarterback for the Longhorns, is a huge reason why.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
