Nick Saban discusses relationship with Steve Sarkisian: ‘Not enough good things I can say about him’

Nick Saban and Alabama are playing host to future SEC foe Texas on Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

It marks the return of Steve Sarkisian to Tuscaloosa: the Longhorns head coach was the Crimson Tide’s offensive coordinator for 2 seasons before taking the job in Austin.

“Sark was great here,” Saban told “SEC Nation”. “He did a great job for us. Players loved him. He’s a good teacher. He’s upbeat.”

Saban mentioned the struggles former head coaches face after becoming assistants elsewhere, adding that it was “never an issue with” Sarkisian, who was an analyst and later interim offensive coordinator during his first stint at Alabama in 2016 after being relieved of his duties as USC’s head coach.

“He was one of the best assistants and most supportive of a head coach that you could ever have,” he said. “There’s not enough good things I can say about him, and I will say this. He’s done a great job slowly and methodically building this Texas program to where they’re a nationally recognized team right now. They’ve got a lot of good players and they’re well coached.”

Alabama and Texas kick off at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.

"He was one of the best assistants and most supportive of a head coach that you could ever have."

Nick Saban has high praise for Steve Sarkisian and what he's already done at Texas. pic.twitter.com/HActwfR5Ck

— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) September 9, 2023

Sydney Hunte

Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.