Steve Sarkisian coaching timeline: Recapping the journey from USC to Alabama to Texas

Steve Sarkisian is one of college football's brightest offensive minds, as illustrated by the coach making stops not at only college football's top programs but also in the NFL.

Sarkisian's career began in the heyday of the USC dynasty. He later traveled north to Washington and then stopped briefly at a second college football dynasty, Alabama. His success in devising the Crimson Tide's offense in 2019 and '20 gave him an opportunity to coach at a third top-tier college program in Texas.

Now the Longhorns coach is hoping that Texas is his final job — or at least is successful enough that he can leave on his terms, if he chooses. Whether he is able to accomplish that, especially with the Longhorns leaving for the SEC starting in 2025, remains to be seen.

With that, The Sporting News takes a chronological look at Sarkisian's coaching career:

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Steve Sarkisian coaching timeline

USC (analyst, quarterbacks): 2001-03

In 2001, Sarkisian joined his former BYU coach Norm Chow at USC as a member of first-year head coach Pete Carroll's staff. His initial association with the Trojans was as an analyst; he rose to quarterbacks coach in 2002.

In those two seasons as QBs coach, Sarkisian worked with two future Heisman Trophy winners: Carson Palmer (2002) and Matt Leinart (2004). Also of note: The Trojans went a combined 23-3 in Sarkisian's three seasons with the program and won The Associated Press national championship in 2003.

Oakland Raiders (QBs): 2004

Sarkisian left USC after the 2003 season for the NFL. The team named Rich Gannon its starting QB to begin the season, but Gannon suffered a neck neck injury in Week 3 and was out for the remainder of the season. Kerry Collins took over as the starter.

Despite this, Oakland threw for 4,019 yards that year, ranking eighth in the league. But the Raiders went 5-11, and Sarkisian returned to Los Angeles to coach for the Trojans.

USC (QBs, associate head coach, offensive coordinator): 2005-08

Sarkisian returned to his QBs coach role at USC and served in it for two more seasons. Starting with the 2007 season, he also served as associate head coach and offensive coordinator.

The 2005 season, of course, featured Leinart, Heisman Trophy-winning running back Reggie Bush and LenDale White in the backfield. Dwayne Jarrett was the team's leading receiver (1,274 yards, 16 touchdowns). John David Booty took over at quarterback in 2006 and threw for 3,347 yards with 29 touchdowns to nine interceptions.

The Trojans went 23-3 combined in 2007 and '08 with Sarkisian as offensive coordinator.

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Washington: 2009-13

Following his stint at USC, Sarkisian took on his first head-coaching role as he moved to the Pac-10 North with Washington. He went 5-7 in 2009, followed by three consecutive 7-6 seasons. One bright spot during that time was the play of Jake Locker, who would go onto become the eighth overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.

The Huskies had a breakthrough of sorts in 2013 when Sarkisian led the team to an 8-4 record. However, he did not coach the team in the bowl game; he elected to return to USC, this time as its head coach.

USC: 2014-15

Sarkisian enjoyed moderate success in his first season back in Los Angeles. He led the team to a 9-4 record in 2014, punctuated by a win in the Holiday Bowl. But Sarkisian only made it five games into his second season (in which USC went 3-2) before being fired.

At the start of the season, the coach made an appearance at USC's "Salute to Troy" event in which he was drunk and slurring words. He apologized for that and said he would not drink for the remainder of the season. Roughly two minutes later, he allegedly appeared at a team meeting drunk, causing then-athletic director Pat Haden to fire him in mid-October.

Sarkisian later sued USC, claiming breach of contract and firing someone with a disability (alcoholism is considered a disability in the state of California). He ultimately lost his suit.

Alabama (analyst/OC): 2016

Sarkisian landed on his feet in Alabama as an analyst on Nick Saban's staff. Lane Kiffin, who had coached with Sarkisian at USC, was the Crimson Tide offensive coordinator.

Following Alabama's 24-7 win over Washington in the 2016 Peach Bowl, Kiffin accepted the head-coaching position at Florida Atlantic. Saban elevated Sarkisian to offensive coordinator for the team's meeting with Clemson in the College Football Playoff national championship.

Alabama put up 376 yards vs. Clemson, including 93 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 16 rushes by running back Bo Scarbrough. But Scarbrough broke his leg in the game, and that deflated Alabama's offense. It was unable to produce through the air with freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts (13-of-31 passing, 131 yards, one touchdown).

Alabama lost 35-31.

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Atlanta Falcons (OC): 2017-18

Sarkisian used his one season at Alabama to catapult back into the NFL. He replaced Kyle Shanahan as the Falcons' offensive coordinator. The team went 10-6 and 7-9 in Sarkisian's two seasons in Atlanta.

The Falcons ranked eighth in total yards in 2017 (364.8 per game) and tied for 14th in scoring offense (22.1 points per game). The scoring figure was well down from Atlanta's 33.8 points per game in 2016. In 2018, the Falcons had the sixth-best total offense (389.1 yards per game) and increased its scoring (25.9 points per game, 10th-best).

Despite the improvement, Falcons coach Dan Quinn fired Sarkisian and other assistants on Dec. 31, 2018.

"Sark has shown he’s a good coach and play caller," Quinn said in a release announcing the decision. “After evaluating the entire season, I decided it was necessary that we had a new voice and direction for our offensive unit. I have a ton of respect for Sark, both personally and professionally, and I appreciate all he’s done during his time here."

Alabama (OC): 2019-20

Sarkisian returned to Alabama in 2019 as offensive coordinator. He coached an offense that included quarterback Tua Tagovailoa; receivers Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs, DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle; and running backs Najee Harris.

Alabama ranked sixth nationally in total offense (510.8 yards per game), third in passing offense (342.2 yards per game) and second in scoring offense (47.2 points per game).

The following season, Alabama's offense broke multiple program and conference records en route to a 13-0 record and a national championship. The team ranked fourth nationally in total offense (541.6 yards per game), third in passing offense (358.2 yards per game) and second in scoring offense (48.5 points per game).

Three Crimson Tide offensive players finished in the top five in Heisman Trophy voting: Smith (117 receptions, 1,865 yards, 23 touchdowns) became the first player to win the award solely as a receiver. Quarterback Mac Jones (4,500 yards, 41 touchdowns, four interceptions) finished third. Harris (1,891 yards from scrimmage, 30 touchdowns) finished fifth.

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Texas: 2021-present

Following that title season, Sarkisian took over his third college football program in Texas. The Longhorns went a disappointing 5-7 in 2021, with blown leads against Oklahoma and Oklahoma State in consecutive weeks among the losses.

Sarkisian named former No. 1 recruit Quinn Ewers as his No. 1 quarterback for the start of Season 2 in Austin. Bijan Robinson (1,127 rushing yards, 11 touchdowns) returns to the backfield. And the Longhorns have secured the 2023 commitment of top QB recruit Arch Manning, nephew to Peyton and Eli and grandson of Archie.

Manning's decision, in turn, provided a huge boost to Texas' recruiting, suggesting talent will never be an issue for Sarkisian in Austin.

Steve Sarkisian head coaching record

Sarkisian's coaching record through the 2021 season: