Steve Sarkisian
Track Record:
El Camino College (QBs) — 2000
USC (QBs) — 2001-03
Oakland Raiders (QBs) — 2004
USC (QBs) — 2005-06
USC (OC/Assistant HC/QBs) — 2007-08
Washington (HC) — 2009-13
USC (HC) — 2014-15
Alabama (Offensive analyst/interim OC) — 2016
Atlanta Falcons (OC) — 2017-2018
Pros: Sarkisian has been an offensive coordinator at both the collegiate and professional level, has been a collegiate head coach, and has coached quarterbacks at a high level in the college ranks as well. He took over a struggling offense at Washington as their head coach and led them to massive improvements in his first year, and he even built upon the offensive success at USC when he was promoted to OC in 2007 after Lane Kiffin left that role. On paper, Sarkisian has tons of qualifications for Tennessee’s offensive coordinator position.
Cons: Unfortunately for Sarkisian, coaching isn’t done just on paper. He’s had plenty of off-field issues related to his alcoholism, and it cost him his job at USC. He’s believed to be a recovering alcoholic now, though. But those concerns don’t go away even after a few years of sobriety. There’s also the fact that he struggled as the Falcons’ OC in the NFL. Yes, the Falcons put up decent numbers in 2018, but there were plenty of complaints about his play calling in the red zone and inability to get star receiver Julio Jones the ball.
Analysis: Right now, Pruitt has reportedly (by some) only spoken to Sarkisian, and no offer or even official interview has happened. Sarkisian also is likely going to see if he can stay in the NFL first rather than head back to the college ranks. He would be a good hire on paper for Pruitt, but ultimately he would need to prove he’s moved away from his demons off the field and prove that he can get Tennessee’s play-makers the ball consistently.
