Alabama practices ‘very upbeat’ with Steve Sarkisian as new offensive coordinator, Saban says

With Steve Sarkisian abruptly taking over the offensive coordinator’s job at Alabama, Coach Nick Saban has been pleased with what he’s seen in practice.

“It’s been excellent,” Saban told reporters at a news conference. “Very positive, very upbeat.”

Sarkisian was pressed into action just days before the upcoming College Football Playoff championship game against Clemson.

His predecessor, Lane Kiffin, had planned to remain with the team through the end of the season but left on Monday after he and Saban decided his new job as coach of Florida Atlantic had become a distraction.

Sarkisian, who spent this season as an offensive analyst with Alabama, was immediately promoted.

“He knows the offense, he knows the players,” Saban said. “He has worked on the game plans every week, he knows the system inside and out, knows the terminology.”

Sarkisian and Kiffin have a long personal history, having worked together on Pete Carroll’s staff at USC. They both had subsequent — if largely unsuccessful tenures — as head coach of the Trojans.

Asked if Sarkisian would have autonomy in running the Alabama offense on Monday night, Saban gave something of a mixed answer.

Saban said he has faith in his staff, but quickly added: “When I say something, everybody says ‘OK, coach, we’ll go do the best we can to get it done.’”

Though the Crimson Tide had a sub-par scoring performance against Washington in the CFP semifinal, Saban said he does not want to make any major, philosophical changes in his scheme. He did, however, express concern about getting some players more involved in the offense.

david.wharton@latimes.com

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