Steve Sarkisian, 42, who served as Alabama’s offensive coordinator, agreed to terms with the Falcons to replace Kyle Shanahan as offensive coordinator Tuesday.
Sarkisian was the head coach at Washington and USC, where he left in disgrace over an alcohol problem in 2015.
He was the quarterback coach for the Oakland Raiders in 2004, but has never called play in the NFL. Norv Turner was the head coach, and Jimmy Raye was the offensive coordinator for the Raiders that season.
Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant played for Sarkisian at Washington.
“That’s my guy,” Trufant said. “I went through a lot with Sark during my college days. I was in his first recruiting class.
“He came to my house and recruited. He’s a dope guy. A very strong guy. A leader. Very passionate about the game.” He definitely could get the job done.”
Sarkisian was 34-29 in five seasons at Washington. He was hired by USC in 2013.
Before the College Football Playoff Championship game in January, Alabama coach Nick Saban promoted Sarkisian to offensive coordinator to replace Lane Kiffin.
Sarkisian played quarterback at Brigham Young and played professionally with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the Canadian Football League.
Shanahan was named the league’s assistant coach of the year while helping quarterback Matt Ryan become the league’s MVP.
The offense also broke franchise records in total yards per game (415.8) and yards per play (6.7).
Gonzaga remains No. 1 in the nation
Gonzaga remained No. 1 in both major polls after its two closest pursuers dropped games in another upset-filled week of college basketball.
Still, it got closer at the top.
Gonzaga’s 90-point lead over Baylor in the AP Top 25 last week shrunk to 54 over new No. 2 Villanova.
In the USA Today poll, Gonzaga holds a 23-point edge over the defending national champion Wildcats. The Zags were 36 points in front of former No. 2 Kansas a week ago.
The Zags (24-0) picked up 59 of AP’s 65 first-place votes and 1,619 points. They had 46 first-place votes and 1,594 points when they reached No. 1 last week. Gonzaga earned 28 USA Today first-place votes with Villanova collecting the remaining four.
Baylor dropped from second to sixth after losing to Kansas and Kansas State. Kansas remained at No. 3 after a 1-1 week. Louisville has climbed nine spots in the last two weeks to reach No. 4.
Oregon moved up eight spots to AP No. 5 after a convincing win over Arizona. Wisconsin is fifth in the coaches’ poll, followed by Oregon.
Chantel Osahor wins Pac-12 honors
For the fifth straight week a Washington Husky won the Pac-12 player of the week award.
On Monday, Chantel Osahor received the honors for the third time this season on the same day the conference recognized UW’s Aarion McDonald as the Pac-12 freshman of the week.
It was the second time this season the Huskies have swept the weekly awards.
Osahor had back-to-back double-double performances while averaging 19.5 points and 18 rebounds last week during a pair of road wins at Utah and Colorado. Oshaor leads the nation with 20 double doubles.
The 6-foot-2 senior center finished with 19 points and 20 rebounds during an 82-53 win at Utah. It was the sixth time this season she registered 20 or more rebounds in a game.
Two days later, Osahor tallied 20 points, 16 rebounds, three assists and two blocked shots to help the Huskies to a 79-75 victory at Colorado.
McDonald, who won the award on Dec. 12, had 19 points, five rebounds and three assists against Utah. The 5-7 point guard scored 14 points at Colorado.
UW’s Kelsey Plum has won five player of the week awards this season, including three times in the past five weeks.
