Steve Sarkisian is about to step onto the big stage as Alabama’s offensive coordinator in the national championship game. His promotion came after Lane Kiffin’s unexpected departure from the program before the title game.

It’s a role that Sarkisian should be comfortable in as he and Kiffin are very similar stylistically when it comes to offense. He has also spent this season as an offensive analyst with Alabama, so he knows the ins and outs of the Tide offense.

Fox Sports’ Colin Cowherd believes that Sarkisian is a better coach than Kiffin and would be a top-tier head coach in the SEC. He backs up that argument by highlighting the improvements the coach made while in charge of the Washington program.

Sarkisian inherited a 0-12 Washington team and improved the Huskies’ record to 5-7 in his first season. Washington went to three bowl games in Sarkisian’s four years as head coach, before he left to take the same position at USC. His overall record as a head coach is 46-35.

Considering the level of talent in the SEC, the Alabama offensive coordinator might field a solid team. Saying he would immediately be a top-tier coach, however, is a little bit of a stretch.