Alabama names Steve Sarkisian to replace Lane Kiffin as offensive coordinator

The resuscitation of Steve Sarkisian’s troubled career took a huge step forward on Friday when the former USC coach was named offensive coordinator at Alabama.

The announcement came a little more than a year after the Trojans dismissed Sarkisian amid reports of erratic behavior and alcohol-related issues.

“He has a tremendous offensive mind and is someone we believe will do a great job of teaching and developing our football team on the offensive side of the ball,” Alabama Coach Nick Saban said in a statement.

Sarkisian said he was “humbled and honored” to work with the current No. 1 team in the nation.

“There are many outstanding coaches and athletes at the University of Alabama, and I am extremely excited to start working with them in my new role,” he said. “This is a very special place to have the opportunity to coach when you consider the program’s rich tradition and the unrivaled passion of the fan base.”

After his short, rocky tenure at USC ended in October 2015, the 42-year-old filed a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against the university, claiming he should have been allowed to seek treatment for alcoholism. The suit remains in arbitration.

The Crimson Tide hired him in September to serve as an offensive analyst.

The position allowed him to return to football, watching game film and offering advice. Because of NCAA limits on staff size, he could not coach players on the field.

There was speculation that Saban brought him aboard in case the team’s offensive coordinator at the time — Sarkisian’s friend and former USC colleague, Lane Kiffin — took a job elsewhere.

That’s exactly what happened earlier this week when Kiffin was hired to coach Florida Atlantic.

Sarkisian went 12-6 in one-plus season with the Trojans. He had a 34-29 record in five seasons as the coach at Washington.

david.wharton@latimes.com

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